ACUPUNCTURE 針刺
HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
THE SHORT ANSWER: The stimulation of acupuncture points along specific meridian pathways leads to the smooth flow of Qi, resulting in increased vitality.
THE LONG ANSWER: Acupuncture points are located at specific locations on the body that differ from surrounding tissue in their electric, acoustic, optical, magnetic, isotopic and myoelectric properties.* Modern research shows that stimulation of specific locations on the external body (ACUPUNCTURE POINTS) in turn triggers a complex cascade of biochemical and reflex reactions along specific internal pathways (CHANNELS OR MERIDIANS). This leads to vascular, immune, endocrine and connective tissue responses (THE SMOOTH FLOW OF QI), resulting in pain control, tissue repair, muscle relaxation, reduced inflammation, increased range of motion & flexibility, normalization of organ function, blood & lymph flow, stress reduction, mood enhancement & improved sleep (INCREASED VITALITY).
IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
THE SHORT ANSWER: Yes, when practiced according to Clean Needle Technique (CNT) Guidelines by a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.). Proper education of the acupuncturist is an essential key to safety.
THE LONG ANSWER: A Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) is thoroughly trained in proper needle depth, angle, placement and clean needle technique. Standard practice involves the use of sterile, single-use, disposable stainless steel needles. Like any medical procedure, your acupuncturist should discuss all of the potential risks and side-effects involved prior to your first treatment. The statistical frequency of serious adverse events from acupuncture are so low that the numbers are considered negligent by scientific standards. The risk of complications such as the unintentional puncture of anatomical structures, or the transmission of infectious disease, can all be easily avoided, which is why the proper quality of education is so critical to safety.
DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT? WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
THE SHORT ANSWER: Not really. Some points feel different than others, depending on where the needles are placed.
THE LONG ANSWER: Most of us cringe at the thought of needles, and some of us actually have serious phobias of them. Rest assured, the average acupuncture needle is 6x smaller than the hypodermic needles used to draw blood. They are slightly larger than a single strand of hair, and are made of sterile filiform stainless steel. Some points feel different than others, depending on their location on the body. (Curious minds may refer to the cortical homunculus for a visual representation of how much sensory information is delivered to the brain from various locations on the body.) Needles may be stimulated to enhance their therapeutic effects, which can result in warmth, heaviness or pressure surrounding the needle, or along a channel's pathway. Once the needles are placed, patients rest comfortably for an average of 20-30 minutes. Even my most needle-phobic patients agree that acupuncture is actually a very pleasant and highly relaxing experience.
WHY NEEDLES?
THE SHORT ANSWER: Poking a small hole through the body's tissue stimulates an immune response that in turn stimulates a cascade of healing activity. Acupuncture points differ from surrounding tissue, crossing areas of maximal biological activity. Like a little lightning rod, acupuncture needles act as conductors that transmit signals "underground," along these specific biological pathways.
THE LONG ANSWER: Acupuncture points may be stimulated with pressure or heat, but the needles themselves act as conductors, propagating a targeted signal that lowers electrical resistance along the tissues that follow the trajectory of a channel or meridian. The electrical characteristics of acupuncture points and their corresponding channels have low resistance (the ability to pass an electric current with ease) and high capacitance (the ability to store an electrical charge). The reason for this, in part, is due to a higher content of interstitial fluid within these spaces, and the gap junctions that allow cells to communicate.* What does this mean and why does this matter? The healthy flow of interstitial fluid (or Qi), provides the body’s cells with nutrients and a means of waste removal. Gap junctions, or electrical synapses, are regulated “gates” connecting many of the cells that compose specific tissues. These gates allow molecules, ions and electrical signals (Qi) to pass between them. These currents (or flow of Qi) serve to communicate complex bodily functions, in turn regulating vascular, immune, endocrine and connective tissue responses.
WHEN IS ELECTRICAL STIMULATION USED?
THE SHORT ANSWER: Most often to enhance and prolong pain relief.
THE LONG ANSWER: Needles are capable of transmitting signals with or without electrical stimulation, but this method is often used to enhance and prolong pain relief. Unlike a TENS (transcutaneous nerve stimulation) unit where electrodes are placed on the skin's surface, electro-acupuncture is able to conduct current deep within its target tissues. This allows for more effective signal distribution, resulting in stronger pain control by the brain's own opioid neurotransmitters, interruption of pain signals, stimulation of proprioceptive nerve fibers in muscles, tendons and joint capsules, increased cellular metabolism, and rapid tissue repair.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NECESSARY?
THE SHORT ANSWER: The frequency of treatment depends on the condition for which the patient is seeking care, and how long the issue has progressed.
THE LONG ANSWER: Many patients feel relief after the first treatment. Lasting benefit may develop after 3 or 4 visits. An average trial course of acupuncture may consist of 1-2 treatments per week over 1-3 months. Some conditions require less frequent routine maintenance to prevent re-injury or flare in symptoms. For general health maintenance, acupuncture is recommended during seasonal transitions. Once your response to treatment is determined, we will work together to find the right frequency for your condition so that each treatment may reenforce the next in an effort to provide lasting benefit. If we determine that acupuncture is not effective for your condition, we may try other modalities within the scope of Chinese medicine, and you may be referred to a physician for further evaluation.
WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT?
Acupuncture, along with other traditional Chinese medicine modalities, has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of injuries and other health conditions. Since its inception, there have been extensive studies conducted in an effort to explain how acupuncture works, and what it can treat. You may refer to a list of general health conditions treated, as well as a more detailed list of specific conditions treated within my areas of specialization in physical medicine and dermatology.
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) provides the most comprehensive modern evidence-based review of conditions effectively treated with acupuncture.
The National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health (NIH) provides an in-depth report on the safety and efficacy of acupuncture.
Although still in progress, evidencebasedacupuncture.org is a reliable source of medical information on the mechanisms, safety and economics acupuncture, providing helpful links to a wide variety of research.
* Juan Li, Qing Wang, Huiling Liang, et al., “Biophysical Characteristics of Meridians and Acupoints: A Systematic Review,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 793841, 6 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/793841