This exciting treatment combines the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is more than 4,000 years old, the healing properties of gems and cutting edge technology using Meridian Stress Assessment.
What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a treatment tool within the practice of Traditional Oriental Medicine. It has been used for thousands years in Asian countries with great success and has been gaining popularity worldwide in recent years. Fourteen major channels called "meridians" course through the human body. A subtle energy called Qi (pronounced ?chi') circulates via the meridians to all parts of the body, even the most remote cells. Qi is a vital force, the presence of which separates the living from the dead. Its balanced flow is crucial to maintaining good health. Any misdirection, blockage, or other condition diverting the amount of flow or balance of Qi may result in pain, dysfunction, or ill health. Through the use of acupuncture the practitioner of Traditional Oriental Medicine stimulates certain points along the meridians. This stimulation helps to restore the balance and flow of Qi so that the organs and other bodily systems can work together in harmony. This sets the stage for the body to repair itself and maintain its own health. Back to top
How does Acupuncture Work? There are currently two favored theories to explaining the effectiveness of acupuncture. One is called the "gate control" theory and the other is called "neuro-endocrine" theory. In the gate control theory, thin nerve fibers transmit the sensation of pain while thick nerve fibers carry the sensation of touch. It has been found through experimentation that if impulses in the thick fibers are increased, conduction in the thin fibers are selectively decreased; thus the analogy of opening and closing a gate. By closing certain gates a method of controlling pain is introduced, which is to say that by increasing transmission in the thick fibers it reduces the impulses in the thin fibers thereby relieving pain. Acupuncture has been found to increase transmission in the thick fibers markedly. Neuro- endocrine theory has recently been discovered in which using acupuncture to stimulate certain points along the meridians; the body itself releases its own natural painkiller called endorphins. Endorphins are released by many parts of the nervous system and is related to the glandular or endocrine system, hence the term neuro-endocrine. Back to top
Does acupuncture hurt? There are a variety of sensations you may feel with the needles. Upon insertion, you might feel a light prick as the needle breaks the surface of the skin. Once in, we are looking for the "Qi" sensation, a dull, heavy, deep and distending ache. This reflects the desired arrival of Qi to the acupuncture point. There may be other sensations like slight tingling, warmth, or occasionally an ache that refers along the course of the channel. All the needles that are used for treatment have been thoroughly sterilized and usually come in pre-sealed containers to maintain their sterility. They are used once and then discarded to maintain the safety of the patients as well as the practitioner. Back to top
Acupuncture MODERN MEDICINE PERSPECTIVE explanation on how it works? Biochemical Defense Mechanism: The microscopic prick of an acupuncture needle creates a site of injury at the cellular level. The body's response to injury is a release of chemicals vital to cellular repair. In this way, an acupuncture needle insertion fools the body into thinking it has been invaded by a foreign object and both tissue and cellular biochemical defense mechanisms are initiated. This helps to reduce local inflammation and relieve pain. Endorphins: Acupuncture and stimulate the body to produce its own pain-relieving chemicals called "endorphins", which are also known as "anti-stress hormones". Gate Control Theory: Pain is transmitted from the periphery to the brain via the spinal cord. There is a mechanism (or "gate") at work in the spinal cord, which stops pain messages from reaching the brain. The insertion of the thin needles of acupuncture or the holding pressure of shiatsu can close this gate, thus lessening the sensation of pain. Endorphins (above) can also block pain pathways by acting on these gates. Electrical Conduction: It has been noted that acupuncture points have different electrical potentials than other areas of the body. It is not known exactly why these different electrical potentials exist but research suggests that acupuncture, on one level, works by affecting electrical conduction in the body. Research into this phenomenon continues. Autonomic Nervous System: The autonomic nervous system is responsible for coordinating and conducting all of the body's involuntary functions. Acupuncture and shiatsu "turn on" the conserving, healing function of the autonomic nervous system while overriding the fight-or-flight function which, when overactive, puts a great deal of wear and tear on our bodies and minds. Trigger Point Theory: Through clinical research, western physicians have discovered specific points of tension in the body that, when released, are particularly effective in the alleviation of musculo-skeletal pain. The locations of these points remarkably correlate with the acupuncture points of oriental medicine. Back to top
