Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine has a long and extensive history of use that successfully extends for over 2500 years. It is based upon balancing the body and all its organ systems, getting to the root of the illness and creating harmony. It is particularly helpful in addressing chronic pain and disease. Oriental medicine is a complete medical system in and of itself. It can be used for many health problems and diseases and coordinates well with our usual western biomedicine. Because it looks at health and wellness as a matter of balance, it is excellent in preventative health management also.
It works by accessing a person’s Qi (chee). Everything is energy, from rocks to air to chemicals to body tissue. Maintaining free-flowing Qi keeps us pain free and in good health. The stress of our daily lives & exposure to environmental challenges can cause our Qi to become “stuck” and result in pain and disease. By using very small, disposable sterile needles at specific points on the body it is possible to access the Qi and return it to its free flowing course. The needles are virtually painless, with any stinging lasting only seconds. The arrival of Qi at the site can vary from a fullness, ache, mild cramp, tingling or no sensation at all. Most people find this to be a very relaxing experience and often get in a quick nap during their treatment. This is a treatment bonus to the benefits of slowing down and taking care of ourselves.
Acupuncture is probably most known as a remarkably effective treatment for pain. This medicine provides dramatic relief from arthritis, headaches, disc pain, sports injuries, low back pain, and many other conditions. It can even be effective in cases where doctors can’t find a physical cause for the pain or “dis-ease”. Many of our patients tell us that no one could find anything wrong with their bones, nerves, muscles, or tendons, or any organ – yet they were still in pain or discomfort everyday. Some were told it was “all in their head”! Many patients experience relief after their first treatment, with nearly all our patients feeling significant relief after 3-6 treatments.
Many stress-related conditions are also well treated with Oriental medicine – headaches, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD. If PMS is a challenge for you or a significant other, this is a great system for addressing the problem and returning the patient back to balance. Emotional problems can be assisted well with acupuncture and herbs along with assessing the stressors impacting one’s life. Not all of our problems have to or should be treated with the latest pharmaceutical that gives quick symptom relief but never addresses the root of the problem.
Other aspects of Oriental medicine
Besides acupuncture, Oriental medicine also includes:
- herbal medicine,
- Qi Gong & Tai ji chuan (physical movement therapy)
- plus other exercise, strength training and yoga
- diet and nutritional support
- Massage (specifically Tuina in conjunction with pain treatments)
- emotional support
- meditation guidance
Patients are interviewed thoroughly and a treatment plan with which you’re comfortable following is designed to assist you on your journey to optimum wellness using a combination of the modalities available to the practitioner. To get the most of any of the treatments you are asked to actively participate with the decision-making and follow through of your treatment plan. This allows you to create the optimal conditions for optimal results.
Backed by modern research
The effectiveness of acupuncture has been proven through modern medical research, and every day new studies confirm the ancient Chinese medical knowledge – acupuncture works. The World Health Organization, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and the insurance industry have all recognized its safety and effectiveness.
Can I help you?
If you have questions about how I can use Oriental medicine to address your concerns please call me. I’d be happy to discuss your case with you.