| Acupuncture is based on the principle that there are "meridians" or energy pathways that run throughout the body. When the "chi" or subtle energy that moves through these pathways becomes blocked for whatever reason, a person becomes susceptible to illness. Acupuncture uses very fine needles, about 0.2 mm in diameter, to unblock these energy channels in order to optimize and restore a person's health. Although there are over 300 acupuncture points, an acupuncture treatment may consist of only a single needle or up to as many as thirty needles. I will typically use between five and fifteen needles, depending on the patient and the condition being treated. When a needle contacts the chi, a person may become aware of various sensations, such as the feeling of the needle being grabbed by the muscle, or sensations of warmth, tingling, or electrical activity. In some cases, a person may even be able to sense the trajectory of the energy pathway along which the acupuncture point lies. Patients are generally treated lying down, and the needles usually remain in place from ten to thirty minutes. The needles can be placed in various parts of the body, including the head, ear, chest, abdomen, back, arms, or legs. While the needles are in, they may be left untouched or they can be manually stimulated by gently turning them. The needles also can be heated by lighting an herb called mugwort, which is then brought close to the needles. This process, called "moxibustion," helps to increase the energy flow through a channel. The flow of energy also can be augmented by clipping electrodes to the needles and applying a very low level of electrical stimulation. This is experienced as a gentle tapping sensation. During an acupuncture treatment, people usually feel very relaxed and may even fall asleep. Afterward, a person may feel relaxed, energized, more balanced, or with a heightened sense of well-being. Most people, even those who initially have a strong dislike of needles, find acupuncture to be very comfortable and enjoyable. One of the unique aspects of acupuncture is that in addition to being a very versatile modality that can treat a wide variety of medical conditions, it is also able to address other symptoms that are not always treatable from a Western paradigm. For example, a person may find that he or she frequently feels hot or cold, craves sweets, or experiences energy drops at a certain time of day. While these symptoms may not seem that significant from a Western standpoint, from an acupuncture perspective, knowing about these phenomena actually helps me to design a comprehensive treatment that addresses the person as a whole. Sometimes people may find it hard to believe that a modality as subtle as acupuncture can have such far-reaching effects. However, subtle imbalances may manifest as gross abnormalities. By becoming more balanced on a subtle level, people’s physical health, energy level, and overall outlook can all improve. |
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