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1. What is Acupuncture? 2. How Does Acupuncture Work? 3. What Should You Expect During Treatment? 4. Is Acupuncture Safe? 5. Does Acupuncture work? 6. How Many Treatments Are Necessary? 1. What is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is far more than a technique of inserting tiny thread-like needles along meridian (energy channels of the body). Acupuncture is a complex system of diagnosis that views the person as a whole. Acupuncture is practiced based on discerning the "pattern of disharmony" and treating accordingly. Modern acupuncturists utilize other modalities such as herbal medicine, Moxibustion, physical exercise, nutrition, meditation, breathing exercises and more. Acupuncture is the insertion of hair-fine needles into the skin and body tissues. They are inserted into any one or more of a number of acupuncture points (there are over 350 acupuncture points in the human body) for the purpose of stimulating a physiological response. The response solicited by the acupuncture point treatment is focused on balancing the body's systems which will in turn aid the body in functioning properly. Acupuncture does not hurt. The sensation created by the insertion of each needle should only be one of heaviness. Often this heaviness may be felt over regions of the body which are connected to each other by what we refer to as Meridians. These are the "roadways" through which your body's energy flows. Acupuncture is a primary health care modality that has been around for at least 3500 years and is used widely throughout the world. Acupuncture is considered safe and effective. 2. How Does Acupuncture Work?? Acupuncture is a therapy that uses the insertion of tiny thread-like needles to specific points on the body along meridians (energy channels of the body) that cross the body. As long as the energy flows freely through these pathways, health is maintained. When the flow of energy is disturbed for any reason, there is disruption in health, resulting in pain or illness. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along these meridians, the energy is regulated, and health is restored. 3. What Should You Expect During Treatment? Most patients find the treatment very relaxing, Many are surprised to find how comfortable they are during an acupuncture treatment and how easily and painlessly the needles are inserted. Some patients even go to sleep during treatment. A patient may feel a sensation upon insertion and some pressure or a "dull" reaction when the needle reaches the correct depth of the point. The needles are very different (smaller and thinner) from hypodermic needles. 4. Is Acupuncture Safe? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used by qualified practitioners only and that they be labeled for single use. Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used. One of the great advantages of acupuncture is the absence of side effects. Needles generally cause no bleeding or pain, and most practitioners today use the disposable kind. There is minimal risk of organ penetration. Acupuncturists are trained in exact location, angle, as well as depth of insertion of the acupuncture needle to avoid any injuries. 5. Does Acupuncture work? According to the NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture, there have been many studies on acupuncture's potential usefulness. Results have been mixed because of complexities with study design and size, as well as difficulties with choosing and using placebos or sham acupuncture. However, promising results have emerged, showing efficacy of acupuncture. For example, in adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations--such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma--in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. An NCCAM-funded study recently showed that acupuncture provides pain relief, improves function for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, and serves as an effective complement to standard care. Further research is likely to uncover additional areas where acupuncture interventions will be useful. 6. How Many Treatments Are Necessary? No two conditions or people respond exactly the same. The length of treatment depends on the condition, the severity, and the duration of the condition. For example, if you awoke this morning with a sore throat, fever, and body aches vs. if you have been suffering from arthritis for the last ten years and you are twenty pounds over weight. The physical and emotional state of the patient is also important, as well as the compliance with your doctor instruction and recommendations. Natural Approach Acupuncture and Massage 1101 West Hibiscus Blvd Suite #105 Melbourne, FL 32901 (321)725-2438