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| COMMON QUESTIONS What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is the treatment of pain or disease by inserting fine needles at the specific points on the body. A point is needled to change the flow of Qi (energy) in the (12 channels plus two extra channels) channels of the body. Acupuncture needling rebalances the body’s Qi to bring about healing and health. There are different styles of acupuncture, such as Japanese and Korean which grew out of a resurgence of interest in indigenous medicine in Japan and Korea and base their theory on the ancient Chinese classics of medicine. Point selection is based more on palpation and the release of restrictions in these systems, rather than on the Traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. There is another style referred to as 5 element acupuncture which was formalized by an Englishman after his travels and experiences in the orient. Furthermore there is “medical” acupuncture which is the term given to acupuncture as used by physiotherapists and doctors which tends to use set point prescriptions for problems rather than consider the whole organ system and the TCM diagnosis of a person. The amount of training of people practicing medical acupuncture can vary a great deal (see “Know Your Acupuncturist” chart before locating an acupuncturist). What does acupuncture mean? Acupuncture literally means puncturing the skin with a needle, but it is used to refer to the practice of Zhenjiu (Chinese) or Shinkyu (Japanese), an ancient physical therapy based on the theory of a network of channels which distribute vital energy (Qi (pronounced chee) or Ki) around the body. The points are where the qi is more dynamic and can be affected to restore the body to health by removing blockages in the system and thereby promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood. What is Qi? Qi: This Chinese word is usually translated as energy, or vital energy. The character is formed of a pictogram meaning rice and another meaning steam or vapour. Together they imply that Qi can be material or immaterial, and has a connotation of the transition from one state to another. This is the way it is seen in Qigong practice and Chinese medicine. There is a continuum from the solid material Qi (Jing) to the Qi which we influence with needles, massage or exercise (and herbs) through to the more rarefied Shen (mind/spirit). By working on the quality of Qi, one can therefore benefit ones physical constitution, and the quality of ones consciousness. Does Acupuncture hurt? The answer is “no.” The needles are very fine and should not hurt when they pierce the skin, but when they are stimulated to get a “deqi” sensation of the qi arriving at the point, this may feel like a dull ache, an electric tingling, or an expanding, distending feeling, or itching. These should all subside after the needle is inserted and may even be quite pleasant. How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture works by affecting the flow of vital energy (Qi) in the body with the use of needles. This body of points has been developed empirically over thousands of years. Some people will ask me if there’s anything inside the needles. The answer is “no.” The needles are working with the energy system of the whole body; moving, unblocking, warming, cooling and balancing the body’s system depending upon what points are chosen, the manipulation of the needles and the patients diagnosis. The earliest documentary evidence of acupuncture occurs in the Huang De Nei Jing (the Yellow emperors’ inner classic) which is dated at around 200BC and refers to it as an already existent complete system. By affecting these dynamic points of energy flow we aim to rebalance the body and restore healing. There are theories using western science to explain acupuncture's mechanisms involving the stimulus affecting the central nervous system or releasing muscular constrictions physically. However so far we do not understand the body in enough detail. In years to come the scientific knowledge of the brain and nervous, endocrine and immune systems may yield definite answers as to how acupuncture works. I’ve heard of Cupping but what is it?: An adjunctive physical technique of TCM (Chinese Medicine) employed by acupuncturists. It involves creating a vacuum in specialized cups to affect the body. It increases fluid circulation in the tissues and has been shown to reduce inflammation. It is also used on internal problems including colds and appears in traditional medicines around the world including Turkish, Romany and Brazilian. You can see Sicilian immigrants using it in Godfather II to treat colic. What is Moxibustion? : The practice of burning a herb (Moxa/ artemesia vulgaris) over an area, on a needle or on the skin (with precautions to prevent burning the skin) in order to warm the area. This warming can be used to engender the production of Qi and blood (Tonifying), to promote circulation and healing. In Japanese acupuncture systems the use of moxa is more refined and it can be used for almost anything, to clear heat even in the case of fever. What does Traditional Chinese medicine treat? Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete system of medicine, and has the capacity to diagnose any condition in its own terms. Acupuncture is a part of it and can treat many ailments effectively. However there are limits. Sometimes acupuncture works better than conventional medicine for certain things and without the side effects of medications. I am a strong preponant for integrative medicine as we can help a patient more effectively if we all work together to treat the “whole” patient. Western medicine is excellent for trauma, bleeding and of course surgical intervention, where as acupucture and herbal medicine can be used if western medicine doesn’t have a solution or answer for the patient. Perhaps the patient and practitioner is at a loss on how to alleviate a patients illness they may be experiencing, I then will say, “Well... let’s give acupuncture and/ or herbal medicine a try.” After all that’s what “health-care” is all about... the health and care of the patient. Are there side effects? Not like the kinds of side effects one can get with pharmaceutical medicines. Patients sometimes report feelings of “light- headedness”, “relaxed” or energized after treatment. This is dependent upon what the patients body is telling them what to do for their overall health and wellness. If they need more energy they might feel more energized, if they need to rest their body then they might feel more relaxed and may even feel like they need a nap. I will usually tell my patients to follow what their body is telling them to do during and after a treatment.How long is a course of acupuncture treatment? How long will it take to treat my problem? The answer to this depends on the problem presented, as a general rule of thumb there is a Chinese saying that however long one has had the problem in years, it will take that amount in months to treat. So usually the more acute a problem the quicker it can be remedied. Some people need as little as three to four treatments while others have ongoing treatment over months. How much does a treatment cost? The answer to this question also varies. In some areas acupuncture is less expensive than others. My standard rate is $65 a session but there are discounts available in certain circumstances. Please ask me. Will insurance cover acupuncture? You will have to check with your provider as to whether your health insurance covers acupuncture. Do I need to believe in acupuncture for it to work? No. My experience has been that many people try acupuncture unbelieving, very skeptical, or as a last resort, and frequently comment on how well it worked for them or someone close to them. in the same way? What is Tui Na?: Tui Na massage is based on the same system of energy channels and diagnostic process as acupuncture, but uses manual pressure, stretching and a variety of soft tissue techniques to affect the channels and points, relax the tissues and effect healing and rehabilitation.h and commonly treated * Please note that I recognize that not all the research included in the– WHO trials has the necessary rigour to meet the research standards of the western medical establishment. As such this information is for interest and meant as a guideline of the possible potential uses of acupuncture. The diseases or disorders for which acupuncture therapy has been tested in controlled clinical trials reported in the recent literature can be classified into four categories as shown below. Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved through controlled trials to be an effective treatment:
Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which the therapeutic effect of acupuncture has been shown but for which further proof is needed:
Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which there are only individual controlled trials reporting some therapeutic effects, but for which acupuncture is worth trying because treatment by conventional and other therapies is difficult:
Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture may be tried provided the practitioner has special modern medical knowledge and adequate monitoring equipment:
NIH Consenses Statement on Acupuncture November 3-5, 1997. Vol.15 No.5.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has found: “That in light of the evidence supporting the use of acupuncture for back pain, dental pain, migraine, nausea and vomiting in appropriate patients, consideration should be given to the need for a policy, guidelines, and flexible mechanisms for making this treatment available to NHS patients.” (BMA, Acupuncture: efficacy, safety and practice. p93)
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