Acupuncture originated in China about 5000 years ago and is a complex system of examination, diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture is a healing art and science which analyzes the entire human being in body-mind-spirit. The basic theory of acupuncture is based on a life force energy called Ch’i. The Acupuncturist is trained to recognize the process of health and illness, and works with herbs and needles to restore the flow of Ch’i. If the energy is not flowing properly, then there exists disharmony and imbalance. This is illness.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for countless ailments and symptoms including, but not limited to, intestinal dysfunction, loss of energy, weight management, addiction, sleep disturbances and musculoskeletal injury.
Acupuncture
A variety of scientifically proven physiological changes occur in the body during acupuncture treatments:
- • inhibits pain signals to the brain
- • stimulates production of natural hormones
- • improved nerve conduction
- • reduces inflammation
- • improved blood flow
- • stress reduction
- • decreases muscle tension
- • decreases scar tissue
- • promotes healing
- • restores range of motion
- • improves immune system
How is Medical Acupuncture Performed?
Target structures are selected based on the examination findings and needles are inserted with the aim of stimulating a healing response. Electrical stimulation of the needles may be utilized to amplify the healing effect. For acupuncture to be most effective, a complex strategy of needle insertion is utilized to stimulate responses on numerous levels:
- • to directly affect muscles, joints, ligaments or other tissues involved in the dysfunction (local)
- • targeting the nerves that supply the area at the spinal level (segmental)
- • certain traditional Chinese acupuncture points are used to have a direct or reflexive response (systemic)
The treatment will often be done in combination with other manual therapy techniques, including Active Release Technique (ART), Graston, manipulations, mobilizations, rehabilitative exercises, etc.
Who can Benefit from Acupuncture?
Ongoing medical research has indicated that acupuncture is beneficial in treating many conditions and disorders. Some of these conditions include:
- • Neck & Back Pain
- • Knee, Hip & Shoulder pain
- • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- • Golfer’s Elbow
- • Tennis Elbow
- • Achilles Tendinopathy
- • Rotate Cuff Dysfunction
- • Shin Splints
- • Headaches
- • Ligament Sprains
- • Muscular Strains
- • Arthritis Conditions
- • Stress & Insomnia