What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental Medicine, or Chinese Medicine, is a medical system that has been used for thousands of years, and is the primary health care system for millions of people in Asia. It is based on the idea that everything in nature seeks harmony and balance. When there is disharmony or unbalance, there is illness.
How is Oriental Medicine different than Western Medicine?
Western Medicine treats illness and treats organs. In Oriental Medicine, we so not see the body as a collection of individual organs, but as a system. As with any system, when there is dysfunction in one part, it affects all parts of the body. Symptoms found in one part of the body may actually indicate illness in another part of the body. In Chinese Medicine, we seek the root cause of an illness, rather than simply treating the symptoms.
Although many people successfully use Chinese Medicine as their sole medical system, we prefer to consider it an integrative medicine. Chinese Medicine seems to work better for chronic conditions, while Western Medicine often offers the preferred treatment for acute conditions.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe. There are rarely any side-effects, and when there are, they are generally minor.
Many people who receive acupuncture treatments find themselves very relaxed, and may feel tired. In these cases, we encourage patients to sit for a few minutes before driving.
People should not receive acupuncture treatment when they are very hungry, if they have been drinking, or the first day of their menstrual period, because of danger of fainting.
Pregnant women should advise their practitioner that they are pregnant. Acupuncture can provide relief for many of the discomforts women may suffer during pregnancy. However, there are some points that should be avoided during pregnancy.
Are acupuncture needles safe?
Acupuncturists are required by law to use single-use disposable needles. They are sterile and safe. Although there is usually very little or no blood, all acupuncturists are trained in current medical practices regarding the handling of blood and body fluids.
What will my first visit be like?
You can expect to spend 1 1/2 to 2 hours on your first visit. The acupuncturist will need to take your complete history, so bring a list of prescriptions and herbs that you are taking. You may be asked questions that seem to have nothing to do with your chief complaint, but your responses are important. In terms of Chinese Medicine, many things that may seem to be unrelated in western terms are very significant in terms of Chinese Medicine.
During the consultation, the acupuncturist will take your pulse and look at your tongue. We take the pulse on both wrists, and in three positions, each representing a part of the body. The quality of your pulse indicates various things to us and are vital to our diagnostic process.
Likewise, the examination of your tongue is very important. The tongue indicates various conditions of disharmony in the body.
What does acupuncture feel like?
It is very common for people to be apprehensive about acupuncture, and most are pleasantly surprised when they have their first treatment. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are very thin and are not hollow. Nothing is injected with the acupuncture needles. Some people describe the insertion of the needle as being like a mosquito bite.
Once the needle is inserted, we manipulate the need to “obtain qi.” The sensation may be like a “pullling” feeling, or a little warmth.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments you will need depends on many things, including the fact that everyone is different and responds differently. Naturally, chronic conditions take longer to treat, and the longer you have suffered from a condition, usually the more treatments will be necessary. As a guideline, however, most conditions can be successfully treated in 8 to 12 treatments.
Do you use acupuncture on children?
Acupuncture is used on children in Asia, but in some countries it is not used as much. We sometimes use it in the treatment of allergies and asthma, but we try to use other, non-invasive treatments first. We can use a probe to stimulate the points.
We are very gentle in the treatment of children, and if they are very frightened, we try to calm them first. Once over their initial fear, most children think acupuncture is “cool.”
Are these techniques proven?
Yes. Until recently, the only research was done in Europe and Asia, which, of course, has different regulating bodies than here in the U.S. However, in recent years, more and more research is being done here.
The World Health Organization, and the National Institute of Health recommend acupuncture for an extensive list of conditions.
What is auricular acupuncture?
Auricular acupuncture is a type of treatment in which acupuncture needles are inserted in the ear. Various points on the ear correspond with parts of the body. Your acupuncturist may use ear acupuncture along with body acupuncture, or may use your ear alone for the treatments.
While auricular acupuncture is a part of Chinese medicine, the French expanded the study of auricular acupuncture and developed a slightly different "map" of the ear. In my clinic, I use a combination of Chinese and French points.
Although it is useful for many disorders, auricular acupuncture seems to be particularly good for such things as pain management, the treatment of emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, and for the treatment of addictions, such as alcoholism and smoking addiction.
While auricular acupuncture is a part of Chinese medicine, the French expanded the study of auricular acupuncture and developed a slightly different "map" of the ear. In my clinic, I use a combination of Chinese and French points.
Are herbs a part of Chinese Medicine?
Herbs are a vital part of Chinese Medicine. The diagnosis we make based on the consultation (described above) is also used to create a prescription for the patient. Like acupuncture, it can be used for a variety of conditions. Usually, the acupuncturist will prescribe a combination of acupuncture and herbs.
How are Chinese Herbal remedies different than Western Herbs?
Typically, in western herbology, we prescribe a specific herb for a specific condition. That is rarely the case with Chinese herbs. Chinese herbs are usually dispensed as part of a formula, a combination of herbs. Because of that we can customize the formula to meet your specific needs.
Can't you just sell me Chinese herbs without a consultation?
No. We need to take your history and examine you to discover the root cause of the disorder. Then, we may also discover that the particular formula needs to be slightly modified to meet the needs of your body.
Can pregnant women receive acupuncture treatments?
Yes, and they find relief for many of the discomforts resulting from pregnancy. Their practitioner should be aware that they are pregnant, however.
Many acupuncturist are working with obstetricians and midwives near and during delivery. The applications of acupuncture include turning a breech baby if needled at specific points during the eighth month. In addition, acupuncture can be used to induce labor, and to smooth labor and hasten delivery.