What is acupuncture?  Does it hurt?  What does it treat?  What I should expect?

 

 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body to treat the root cause of an imbalance and return the body to a state of optimal balance and health.  These body points were mapped out thousands of years ago by Chinese scholars and are located in channels along the body and in specific areas.  The energy that flows through these points and channels is called Qi (pronounced chee). 

 

The flow of Qi is similar to rivers of energy flowing throughout the body. Blockages can occur due to traumas, toxicities, stress or illness.  Points are selected based on each individual’s symptoms and patterns. These points help to move the blocked energy that, in many cases, causes pain.

 

The stimulation of Qi can be done by: inserting sterilized, metallic needles that are as thin as hair, applying heat, finger pressure (acupressure), laser, or tuning forks.  Non-needling techniques are for those who are extremely sensitive to needles or for those who want to experience the benefit without having needles.

 

 

Will acupuncture hurt?

The sterilized, thin single-use needles usually create a sensation described as a dull ache, throbbing or a tugging sensation.  A sharp pain is not a desired effect.     Back to Top of page

 

What does acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture treats many conditions including all types of pain, arthritis, digestive disorders, sports injuries, concussions, colds/flus, stress, women's health, children's health and emotional imbalances.   The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes traditional Chinese medicine to treat over 43 common clinical disorders including: Musculoskeletal, Gastrointestinal, Emotional, Respiratory,  Ear, Nose & Throat Conditions, Gynecological, Cardiovascular, Urogenital and Neurological conditions.

 

The following is the World Health Organizations list of conditions that are treatable by acupuncture.

 

Musculo-skeletal Conditions

• Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness

• Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures

• Arthritis

• Fibromyalgia

• Work and sports related injuries

• Low back pain

• Osteoarthritis

• "Frozen shoulder", "tennis elbow"

• Sciatica

 

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Gastrointestinal Conditions

• Spasms of esophagus and cardia 

• Irritable bowel and colitis 

• Hiccough

• Acute and chronic gastritis

• Gastric hyperacidity

• Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)

• Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)

• Acute and chronic colitis

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Acute bacillary dysentery

• Paralytic ileus

 

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Emotional Conditions

• Depression 

• Anxiety 

• OCD 

• PTSD 

• Somatization disorder 

• Hypersomnia 

• Insomnia

• Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs 

• Appetite suppression

 

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Respiratory System Conditions

• Acute sinusitis

• Acute rhinitis

• Common cold

• Acute tonsillitis

• Acute bronchitis

• Bronchial asthma

 

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Conditions of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth

• Acute conjunctivitis

• Central retinitis

• Myopia (in children)

• Cataract (without complications)

• Toothaches, post extraction pain

• Gingivitis

• Acute and chronic pharyngitis

 

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Gynecological Conditions

• PMS

• Dysmenorrhea

• Menopause syndrome

• Benign irregular menstruation

• Benign amenorrhea

 

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Cardiovascular Conditions

• Essential hypertension

 

Urogenital and Neurological Conditions

• Peripheral neuropathies

• Meniere's Disease

• Nocturnal enuresis

• Cervicobrachial syndrome

• Neurogenic bladder dysfunction

• Intercostal neuralgia

• Disc problems

• Headache and migraine

• Trigeminal neuralgia

• Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)

• Paresis following stroke

 Back to list of conditions     To top of page

 

What should I expect?

The initial consultation will take from 60 to 90 minutes.  This will include a full and detailed health history (form to be completed beforehand) and checking your body for its strengths and weaknesses.  The length of subsequent treatments is from 45 minutes to an hour depending upon the duration of the illness or pain and compliance to treatment plans.   

 

During the sessions, many people fall asleep and feel very relaxed.  We will also discuss nutrition and areas to focus on in your day to day living.

 

You should feel relief from your symptoms but in rare instances the symptoms may worsen slightly before improving.  A series of treatments are commonly necessary to rectify an imbalance and to help sustain the corrected balance. 

 

Melisa is known for incorporating various styles of acupuncture and/or massage techniques into one treatment.  Based on experience, she finds that each treatment needs to be customized to the individual to optimize the results.

 

Click here to learn about some techniques Dr.Skyrm has studied and may utilize in sessions.

 

 

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