What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine involving the insertion of solid filiform acupuncture needles into the skin at specific points on the body to achieve a therapeutic effect. No drug is injected. The needles alone create the beneficial effects of acupuncture.
Acupuncture is used to encourage natural healing, improve mood and energy, reduce or relieve pain and improve function of affected areas of the body. It is safe and effective and is often successfully used as an alternative to medications or even surgery. Relief is often obtained with acupuncture when traditional medical therapy has failed.
How Acupuncture works
Through extensive questioning and examination of the tongue and pulse, Mina is able to identify which organ is affected and whether its function is deficient or excessive. From this differential diagnosis a treatment regime of acupuncture points along certain channels is used.
Needles are inserted at acupoints, which are areas of low skin resistance, in order to restore balance to the body thereby reducing the dysfunctions of the organs and corresponding symptoms. These points may include auricular acupuncture points in the ear.
Acupuncture studies have shown that the stimulation of the acupoints produces analgesic effects similar to that of morphine. It is a very useful method of treatment in pain reduction, improving blood flow, reducing inflammation and boosting the immune systems as well as regulating the endocrine system (hormones).
What can Acupuncture treat?
Many conditions can be treated with acupuncture from acute to chronic pain of both visceral and musculoskeletal origins.
Neuromusculoskeletal conditions: sciatica, low back pain, neck pain, facial and TMJ (jaw joint) pain, headaches, migraines, neuralgias, arthritis, strokes. Visceral conditions: respiratory disorders, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, addictions, gynecological disorders, analgesia during childbirth, urogenital disorders, skin disorders and facial rejuvenation.
Experiencing acupuncture
Acupuncture needles are very fine. They are sterile and used once only and then disposed of medically. The needle insertion is generally painless, however, a slight sensation may be felt.
After insertion, the needle is manually stimulated to achieve the desired result of a deep, heavy ache. The failure to achieve this means poor results.
The needles are inserted at the area of the condition and also distally at points along the hands and feet, and are left in for 15-20 minutes. In addition, these needles can be stimulated by an electro-current, which is attached to the needles causing a pulse to be felt throughout the treatment. This regime can also be augmented by moxibustion (an herb that heats the channel) and by suction cups to improve circulation at the local level.
