H. W. Acupuncture
FAQs
What is acupuncture?
Originating in ancient China more than 2,500 years ago and has been evolving ever since, acupuncture is a drug-free, all-natural intervention which involves inserting very thin and thread-like needles into some specific points to encourage the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning.
Who can benefit from acupuncture?
Today acupuncture is one of the most popular practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the West. It is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Though today we know this list to be more extensive, in 1979 the World Health Organization (WHO) published the following list of common conditions proven to respond to TCM Acupuncture:
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders:
- Headache and migraine
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TMJ)
- Facial palsy (early stage, i.e., within six months)
- Cervicobrachial syndrome
- “Frozen shoulder,” “Tennis elbow.”
- Sciatica
- Low-back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Pareses following a stroke
- Peripheral neuropathies
- Sequelae of poliomyelitis (early sage, i.e., within six months)
- Meniere’s disease
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting)
- Intercostal neuralgia
Mental-Emotional:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Insomnia
Upper Respiratory Tract:
- Acute sinusitis
- Acute rhinitis
- Common Cold
- Acute Tonsillitis
Respiratory System:
- Acute bronchitis
- Bronchial asthma (most effective in children and patients without complicating diseases)
Disorders of the eye:
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Central retinitis
- Myopia (in children)
- Cataract (without complications)
Disorders of the mouth:
- Toothache, post-extraction pain
- Gingivitis
- Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Gastro-intestinal disorders:
- Spasms of the esophagus and cardia
- Hiccough
- Gastroptosis
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Gastric hyperacidity
- Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
- Acute duodenal ulcer (without complications)
- Acute and chronic colitis
- Acute bacillary dysentery
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Paralytic ileus
Today’s science shows Acupuncture can also be used effectively in:
- Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Allergies
- Blood pressure problems
- Infertility
- Sexual dysfunction (low libido, erectile dysfunction)
- Breech position in pregnancy
- Induction of labor
- Rheumatoid arthritis
How does acupuncture work?
According to traditional Chinese medicine, we believe the smooth flow of Qi(pronounced “Chee,” the vital energy) and Blood in the meridians(the energy routes spreading all over the body) are essential to our pain-free life and well-being. If the blockage happens in the meridians, the pain and stress-related symptoms occur. Acupuncture activates Qi and Blood by stimulating specific points to get rid of the blockage, so your body can restore the balance and wellness.
Based on recent studies and research, acupuncture stimulates a neurobiological process that has anti-pain, anti-stress effects. During and after the acupuncture treatments, endogenous opioid peptides(such as endorphins and enkephalins) are released, they stimulate inhibitory pathways, which help to reduce the pain and make our feel happy.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Surprisingly, although needles are used in acupuncture, the treatment rarely hurts. The acupuncture needles are extremely fine, no thicker than your hair. Since pain is a very individual experience, the sensation caused by an acupuncture needle varies. You may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache where the acupuncture needle has been inserted. But acupuncture definitely does not feel like getting a shot or having blood drawn.
Is acupuncture safe? Is there any side-effect?
Acupuncture is extremely safe when offered by an experienced, licensed practitioner. None of the side-effects of acupuncture are life-threatening, and all typically are fleeting. Still, they are good to be aware of so that if you do experience them, you know they’re normal and nothing to be too concerned about.
The most common side-effects of acupuncture include localized bleeding or bruising, discomfort or tingling near the needling sites. And dizziness or fainting is very infrequent but possible, especially for the patient with significant Qi deficiency(low energy level).
What’s an acupuncture session like? How long does it take?
During the initial session, a questionnaire about your health history and your lifestyle will be taken. Your acupuncturist also may check your pulse and tongue and may conduct a physical exam associated with your symptoms. The information is then organized to create an accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has been blocked or imbalanced. After the interview process, you will receive an individualized acupuncture treatment, and your acupuncturist may combine other techniques such as cupping, moxibustion, or ear seeds therapy to optimize the outcome.
The initial session may take ninety minutes, and the regular follow-up session last forty-five minutes to an hour.
How many treatments will I need? And how often?
Treatment frequency and the number of treatments you may need to depend on a variety of factors: your constitution, the duration, and severity of the symptoms and your response to acupuncture. Generally speaking, chronic and severe ailments require more sessions than the acute and mild ones do.
To my experience, a positive response to acupuncture is typically seen after the first to fourth treatment. And it is common for treatments to be scheduled one or two times a week in the beginning to obtain an optimal response and then once every other week or once a month as a maintenance.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us by phone: 412-426-9220 or email us at hwAcupunctureClinic@gmail.com