Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of our most effective tools for body “repair” and wellness. Although, yes, it DOES involve tiny needles, I (CPR) can attest that after having had nearly a dozen sessions with Josh, our licensed acupuncturist, that acupuncture WORKS and that the needles are, for me, no worse than a mosquito bite. For much of the world, acupuncture is “mainstream” medicine, and, as far as I am concerned, any modality that’s been around for a few thousand years is likely to be both effective AND safe. Here are some Q&A about acupuncture:

  • Q. Tell me about acupuncture. I understand it’s been around for thousands of years, so it’s probably pretty safe....?
  • A. In contrast to prescription drugs used by Western Medicines, acupuncture is VERY safe. One way to understand this is to look at the premiums charged for liability insurance. Acupuncturists typically pay about $600 per year. In contrast, primary care physicians pay about twenty times as much--$6,000 annually. While this may not translate into exactly a 10 to 1 difference in safety, we believe that a visit to an acupuncturist is AT LEAST as safe as a visit to your doctor, if not a good deal safer!

  • Q. How does acupuncture work?
  • A. According to Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s internal energies, often called “Qi” (pronounced “chee”). Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along the 12 major energy meridians in the body. If this Qi is somehow blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Chinese doctors believe that if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is out of whack. Chinese medical theory allows us to determine the imbalance... and rebalance it. Acupuncture is a wholistic approach which works with the whole body.

  • Q. Does Western medicine understand acupuncture?
  • A. In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural bio molecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and certain hormones. The exact mechanisms which bring this about are unknown, but the effects are measurable.

  • Q. An example?
  • A. Let’s look at pregnancy. One of the first things that Oriental medical students learn is that there are a few points that are absolutely forbidden to use with pregnant women. These special points cause the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone which naturally induces labor. When it is desired to ASSIST WITH LABOR, however, studies have shown that using acupuncture to INDUCE labor can reduce the active (painful) phase of labor by an average of 3.6 hours. (See the reference)

  • Q. That’s impressive. I’d never imagined that the tiny needles used in acupuncture could be so helpful. Tell me more about these needles. I’ve heard they don’t even hurt when they’re inserted...
  • A. Most people barely feel a thing when needles are inserted. Some feel a slight pinch, and others ask, “Is it in yet?”

  • Q. But when I get a shot at the doctor’s office, that hurts. What’s the difference?
  • A. Acupuncture needles are VERY, VERY THIN in comparison to the hypodermic needles used to give injections. Hypodermic needles are hollow so that the shot can be injected. They also have a very blunt point in comparison to an acupuncture needle. FORTY acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of ONE standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle. (And, if you are absolutely afraid of needles, we have other modalities that can be nearly as effective.) Most people are a little nervous the first session, so you are not alone in thinking this. But most patients leave the treatment with a sense of tranquility and can hardly wait for their next session.

  • Q. Will I feel any sensations from the acupuncture work?
  • A. There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, which are known as de qi (”day-chee”). These may include slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensations traveling along a meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild and dissipates quickly.

  • Q. What kinds of conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
  • A. An acupuncturist can help with..
    • Breech Positioning of the Baby
    • Female and Male Infertility
    • In Vitro Fertilization Support
    • Induction of Labor
    • Irregular/Painful Menstruation
    • Menopause, PMS
    • Morning Sickness
    • Acne, Eczema
    • Dental Pain
    • Joint/Limb Pain
    • Low Back Pain/Sciatica
    • Neck Pain, Osteoarthritis
    • Repetitive Stress Injuries
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Sports Injuries
    • Allergic Rhinitis
    • Asthma, Cough
    • Bronchitis, Sinusitis
    • Bell’s Palsy
    • Headache/Migraines
    • Meniere’s Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Post Stroke Paralysis
    • Shingles
    • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
    • TMJ, Trigeminal Neuralgia
    • Bed Wetting
    • Bladder Dysfunction
    • Anxiety, Stress
    • Depression
    • Insomnia/Sleep Disturbance
    • And more!
  • Q. Do I have to believe in acupuncture for it to help me?
  • A. Not at all. Good results are seen in the majority of cases. When all other treatment methods have failed, this indicates a systematic imbalance-- just what acupuncture and herbs excel at treating.

  • Q. How do acupuncturists charge?
  • A. Our acupuncturist asks approximately $50 per hour. He sometimes offers special introductory rates for new patients.

  • Q. One last question: We’re attempting to start a family. Can acupuncture REALLY help with infertility?
  • A. It actually has quite a good track record. Combined with the other tools we have at Helping To Heal, we believe you will be happy with us on this issue! (For more about infertility and pregnancy assistance, please see our INFERTILITY page.)