Acupuncture is an old healing practice of traditional Chinese medicine dating back over 4,000 years. It still remains effective today as a way to strengthen the body rather than merely treating symptoms. It is primarily used to relieve pain as well as treat other conditions. More than 3 million Americans and 200,000 children in the U.S. have had acupuncture to help relieve a symptom or condition. Because of its low side effects, it has been the treatment of choice for many doctors across the country. It is even more popular in other countries.
“Any disease has two main phases: 1) An invisible and 2) a visible. The first phase represents an energy imbalance or disturbance or weakness before it has shown itself in the body.” – Dr. John L. Stump
Acupuncture has been practiced for more than 5,000 years in China and since its discovery has spread throughout every hemisphere. Even today in China, acupuncture is commonly used as a substitute for chemical anesthesia in serious surgical procedures, allowing the patient to remain conscious but still pain-free. Until eased relations with China came in 1971, acupuncture was virtually unheard of in the United States. However, since then it has become one of the fastest growing branches of alternative medicine.
Acupuncture is currently being used to treat a wide variety of conditions both acute and chronic, physical and psychological. These conditions include but are not limited to:
“migraine, tension cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, neck pain, and mid-back pain, low shoulder, tennis elbow, post-operative pain relief, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurological syndrome, various eye problems, etc.” – Dr. John A. Amaro
Acupuncture has also been found to be successful in the treatment of chemical dependencies such as drug and alcohol addiction, and has helped many to quit smoking safely and successfully. There is even a procedure to promote weight loss and prevent over-eating.
The number and frequency of acupuncture treatments vary with the patient and the condition. Most acute conditions can be cured after eight treatments often with permanent results. Chronic problems may require more extensive care and maintenance but treatment is equally effective.
Traditional treatment with acupuncture involves the strategic placement of very fine needles just beneath the skin to stimulate the pressure point. While it is a popular misconception that this procedure may be painful, the instruments used are more than four times finer than the average hypodermic needle – typically generating a sensation likened to that of a mosquito bite. There are also many needle-less acupuncture techniques, known as meridian therapy that use other means to stimulate pressure points. These therapies include the stimulation of pressure points by means of electricity, massage, and even laser, but all work on the same principle, restoring the normal energy flow of the body.
Regardless of method or condition, we believe that acupuncture is one of the safest and most effective ways to improve your level of wellness and restore your body’s natural harmony.