Acupuncture

Acupuncture for relieving pain and pressure
For many centuries, Chinese doctors have used acupuncture to ease patients’ pain and pressure from certain parts of the body. The treatment is derived from the theory that energy flows through the body through paths referred to as meridians. When pressure blocks these paths, a person experiences pain that can lead to other illnesses.

How we do acupuncture
When you visit our clinic, we administer acupuncture by inserting thin needles into the skin on specific parts of the body. While the needles influence the flow of energy, we may use mild pressure, heat, and electrical current to achieve a desired effect. However, before any treatment we will conduct a physical and oral test to determine if you are a candidate of the procedure.

Some patients are outright poor candidates of the procedure. For example, we do not conduct the procedure on pregnant women or those who have just delivered. In addition, patients of chronic diseases and people using pacesetters should not undergo the procedure. This is because the electric pulses introduced by the needles may interfere with the body’s processes.

You will need to answer questions on the pain and what you think causes it. If you are a candidate, a specialist will examine the point on your body to assess the energy path that is blocked. With the examination of muscles and bones, the expert looks for the energy landmarks responsible for your pain.

Common treatments using acupuncture
Our clinic uses acupuncture to treat many causes. Depending on the cause, we can decide to use this procedure only or as part of other disease management procedures. Examples of conditions we treat include chronic lower back pains, chronic neck pain, headaches, migraines, myofascial pain, and chronic tensions.

Medical professionals also recommend the procedure for patients recovering from stroke and brain damage. Acupuncture can also help with menstrual cramps, lung inflammation, asthma, drug addiction, post chemotherapy, vomiting, nausea, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, labor pain, and dental pain.

What to expect
As the procedure is largely mild and takes a short time, there are hardly any special preparations. However, it is wise to know what to expect as you prepare to visit our clinic. Generally, you should wear loosely fitting clothes on the day of your appointment.

Do not overeat or fail to eat before the procedure. Ensure that you are relaxed and free from anxiety. The procedure works best if the patient is not suffering from mental tension, depression or other illnesses.

Our procedures seeks to blend eastern and western acupuncture practices. We will normally observe the color, shape, and coating of your tongue as well as the color of your face. Additionally, we will examine your wrist to determine the rhythm, quality, and strength of your pulse.

It may take half an hour to an hour for the initial examination and determination of your candidacy. Depending our diagnosis, you may need one or two acupuncture sessions in a week. While we normally conduct six to eight treatments, the total number of acupuncture administrations will depend on your condition and its severity.

Safety of the procedure
When the procedure is done correctly, there are no risks. However, you may experience minor bleeding, bruising, and soreness on the area where needles enter the skin. Our experts take care not to push the needle too deep. We use sterile disposable needles. This effectively eliminates the possibility of introducing new infections.

It is prudent to tell your doctor of any underlying medical condition. Similarly, inform him of any medications that you are taking. If you have questions concerning the safety and administration of acupuncture, feel free to ask us.

Administration of acupuncture
Once we locate the correct paths, we will insert several very thin needles evenly into the skin. Depending on the need, we may place some needles deeper into the skin than others, or roll a needle or two back and forth.

In most cases, the treatment takes about twenty minutes to an hour. During the procedure, you may feel a slight pain and pressure as a needle goes past the skin surface. While pain is minimal, you may feel a slight numbness, itchiness, soreness, or tingle.

If you feel any of these, it is a sign that the needles have successfully accessed the energy path. In the wake of the treatment, you may feel a little dizzy or drowsy, but this is not a bad thing. Actually, some patients fall asleep during treatment.

What to expect after the procedure
Different patients report different feelings after we pull out the needles. While some people feel relaxed, others feel more energized. If conventional treatment has failed to provide a solution for your chronic pain, why not give us a call to discuss your particular need. Acupuncture may be the answer.

After the treatment, we’ll talk some more, answer any questions you may have, and discuss your herb prescription, if you are receiving herbal treatment. We generally use granular herbs, which are quick and easy to take, while preserving the potency and customizability of traditional preparation methods.