Acupuncture
One of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a medical procedure that has been utilized for over 2,000 years to alleviate and prevent pain, increase energy levels and promote healing. It began gaining widespread popularity in the United States beginning in the 1970′s; in fact, the 2002 National Health Interview Survey showed that an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture at some time.
What to do first
Before receiving any acupuncture treatments for your condition, we recommend you:
- do thorough research into the use and/or effectiveness of acupuncture for your particular health condition (we can help you get started)
- obtain from your doctor a complete list of current medications or other treatments you are receiving, as they may interfere with (or be interefered-with by) acupuncture therapy;
- make yourself knowledgeable regarding the qualifications and licensure of any acupuncture practitioner prior to seeing her/him
- check with your insurance company, as acupuncture may be covered by your plan.
How does acupuncture work?
Small, solid, hair-thin metallic needles are inserted into the skin by the acupuncture practitioner. Prior to treatment, the practitioner will closely question you as to the location and nature of your illness, injury or other health condition, as well as the treatments and/or medications you are currently receiving. Most people feel little or no pain at all as needles are inserted. People react differently to acupuncture: some become very relaxed, while others become energized. It is important to see a qualified practitioner, as the positioning of the needles and the sterilization techniques used are crucial to effective treatment and to prevent future problems.
Acupuncture’s traditional purpose in Chinese medicine was to create a “balance” or harmony of a person’s life forces, yin and yang. This view saw disease as the result of an imbalance in these two forces. Such imbalance caused blockages in the flow of qi (commonly translated “vital energy”); health is, thus, restored by removing those blockages using acupunctural methods.
Western and/or clinical studies have been unable to identify the exact processes by which acupuncture works. However, the general consensus has been that acupuncture is safe and effective when properly practiced. So, in 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners. Current studies have lead some researchers to conclude that acupuncture helps regulate the nervous system, affecting the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones in the brain, thus assisting the body’s own immune and pain-killing responses as well as the processes controlling blood flow, blood pressure and body tempurature (see the National Institute of Health / National Center for Complmentary and Alternative Medicine site at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture).
Can acupuncture help me?
There exists ample evidence that acupunture practices, when administered by skilled practitioners, have lasting, effective results. Acupuncture has had promising and positive effects on the following conditions:
- postoperative pain;
- nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy;
- stroke rehabilitation;
- fibromyalgia;
- lower back pain;
- heachache;
- menstrual cramps;
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- asthma;
- osteoarthritis;
- and more.
Dr. Qing Liu
Oriental Medical Doctor
Acupuncturist Diplomat
Dr. Qing Liu is nationally certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She graduated from Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China and has been practicing since 1982. Dr. Liu applies this ancient and profound medical art aid toward pain control and healing for patients.