Acupuncture primarily means the insertion of extremely thin, sterilized, stainless steel needles into specific points on the body where practitioners of Chinese medicine have known for centuries there are special concentrations of energy (qi) and blood. Therefore, these points are like switches or circuit breakers for regulating and balancing the flow of qi and blood over the channel and network system.
Who should administer acupuncture?
In China, the training for traditional Chinese medicine is five years of full-time study, two years of which are devoted to herbal medicine. Serious schools of acupuncture in the west have three-year full-time courses. This is a particularly important point for members of the public to understand, because they may be disappointment if they seek advice from someone with less thorough training.
See About us and Healing People.com for more info.
You can also go to this site to find out if your acupuncturist is licensed: Click Here
An increasing number of family doctors are undertaking some short or part-time training in acupuncture. Although to some extent this benefit public and medical awareness of what acupuncture can offer, the inevitable limitations of these courses can have an unhelpful effect if they prevent an appreciation of acupuncture in its complete and integrated form. Commonly such pseudo-acupuncture concentrates on using acupuncture or acupressure techniques for local pain relief, and has little understanding of the central role of holistic diagnosis in traditional acupuncture.
However, beyond this, word of mouth recommendation is important. There is hardly a better reference than that a friend or acquaintance you know and trust has been treated by a practitioner and thinks enough of them to refer you to them. When calling a prospective practitioner, the patient should feel free to ask where they were trained, are they licensed, are they NCCA certified, how long have they been in practice, and how many other patients with the same condition they have treated and with what success. In addition, one should also ask what modalities the practitioner uses, how many treatments or how long their condition will require, and how much that will cost.
The question 'does it hurt' is probably the most frequently asked by people who are thinking of seeking treatment form an acupuncturist for the first time. I use time-tested ancient techniques traditionally termed as the Chinese "light feather" style. Even the most sensitive patients are usually comfortable with these techniques. I also use effective Chinese Food Cures, and utilize Japanese, Chinese and European techniques for massage.
How quickly will I feel the result?
Almost immediately, especially in cases related to pain complaints or if the disease is in its initial stages. Since many of the mechanisms of pain-related syndrome have to do with stuck qi, as soon as the qi is made to flow, the symptoms disappear. Therefore, many patients begin to feel better after the very first treatment. In addition, a quick relief is normally achieved in curing irritability and nervous tension. Typically, one will feel a pronounced tranquility and relaxation within five to ten minutes of the insertion of the needles. Many patients drop off to sleep for a few minutes while the needles are in place.
How often should Acupuncture be administered?
Acupuncture treatments are usually given once a week. However, if the patient wishes to get a faster result, or if the case is sever, treatments can be given up to 3 times per week.
In traditional acupuncture theory an ear constitutes a map of the entire body and by stimulating the corresponding points in the ear, one can remedy those areas and functions of the body. Therefore, many acupuncturists will not only needle points on the body at large but also select one or more points on the ear. In terms of menopausal complaints, needling the point Shen Men (Spirit Gate) can have a profound effect on relaxing tension and irritability and also improving sleep. There are also other points, such as the Sympathetic Point, the Brain Point, and the Subcortex Point, which can be very effective in the treatment of the emotional discomfort, depression, restlessness, and anxiety.
Questions@cs.comPlease send us your questions here:
I keep hearing about the health benefits of blueberries. What makes them so
good for us and how much do I need to eat?- Elizabeth Coleman, Chicago
There are many reasons why blueberries were named fruit of the year by Eating Well magazine last year and have been dubbed "the miracle berry". It turns out that blueberries are one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants, which are known to neutralize free radicals, the highly reactive molecules thought to contribute to a laundry list of ills, including heart disease and cancer. IN fact, a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture study compared blueberries to 40 other fruits and vegetables in antioxidant capacity and ranked them number one. A half-cup of blueberries can pack up to 5 times the antioxidant punch of other types of produce, mostly in the form of anthocyanins, the compounds responsible for the berries’ intense blue color. And research from Rutgers University found that, like cranberries, blueberries posses the power to fight urinary tract infections. Both kinds of berries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which inhibit the bacteria growth that causes infections in the bladder. A handful of blueberries a day might be enough to help. Exciting research is also currently under way to investigate the role that blueberries’ natural compounds might play in preventing the memory loss that occurs with age.
I've read that dandelions help detoxify the body. Is it true? If it is, then how can I use them?
K., Chicago
Well, K., dandelion tea is best known for its diuretic effects. Sip some for excess water weight or bloating or to take stress off the kidneys. People on diuretic drugs often have to supplement with potassium, but dandelion is an excellent alternative, since it is actually rich in the nutrient. And if you're trying to lose weight or deal with PMS or menstrual bloating, dandelion tea can help you de-puff. An excellent digestive tonic, it's a mild bitter which can be used to treat liver complaints such as poor digestion. If you're suffering from constipation, dandelion tea is a very mild laxative. It's high in vitamin A, B, C, trace minerals, and potassium.
Could you show an example of how an acupuncturist diagnoses and treats a patient?
- Lola, Winnetka, Illinois
Sure, just follow the link below.
Click here to a page where a real patient is diagnosed and method of treatment decided.