So How Does Acupuncture Work Anyway?
Of all complementary therapies, acupuncture enjoys the most credibility in the medical community because of a substantial body of data showing that acupuncture has measurable and reproducible physiologic effects. How acupuncture gets to the root is still up for debate, but there are several theories. One of the most popular is that it releases endorphins, serotonin, and cortisol and affects the central nervous system. Functional MRI/PET scan studies in humans show clear analgesic effects.
Why Should You Try Acupuncture?
Acupuncture relieves pain and stimulates healing by applying needles to specific points that regulate the function of the internal organs. Acute cases may respond in a few visits, whereas chronic problems may require more. All the needles are disposable single use only for maximum safety. Next to Western medicine, Chinese medicine is the second most largely utilized medicine in the world. It has become one of the main complementary treatments of the 21st century.
What is acupuncture good for?
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in east Asian countries and has a multitude of proven benefits. Some of these include the following:
Allergies: environmental, animal, food, skin
Respiratory disorders: asthma, bronchitis sinusitis, rhinitis
Chronic conditions: Osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, ALS, fibromyalgia, HIV
Circulatory Disorders: Hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis
Digestive Disorders: Crohn’s disease, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome
(spastic colon), ulcers, colitis
Gynecological Disorders: irregular periods, menopausal symptoms, PMS, endometriosis,
infertility
Musculoskeletal Disorders: carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ,
sciatica, low back pain, osteoarthritis
Psycho-emotional & Neurological Disorders: anxiety, depression, facial tics, headaches,
migraines, bell’s palsy trigeminal neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, vertigo
Urogenital Disorders: Cystitis, prostatitis, prostatic hypertrophy, stress incontinence, neurogenic bladder
How is going to an acupuncturist different than going to my MD?
Acupuncturists are more concerned with the path to disease rather than simply the outward manifestation of symptoms. They often allow more time to get a full picture of the patient. What kind of diet do you have? Are you consuming dairy and coffee? What kinds of people are contributing to your current health situation? What is your lifestyle like in general? Have you been exposed to water damage in your work or home? In addition to asking questions, the acupuncturist will take your pulse at several points along the wrist and look at your tongue to observe its shape, color, and coating. He or she might observe the color and texture of your skin, your posture, and other physical characteristics that offer clues to your health. In many states including California, they are licensed primary care practitioners .
How many treatments do I need?
This depends on the duration and complexity of your illness, whether it’s a chronic or recent condition, and your general health. Maybe just a few treatments for an acute ailment such as a cold, nausea or wrist pain would suffice. However, a chronic condition requires more. For instance, anywhere between 10 to 15 treatments to see some resolution from chronic low back pain. For long standing chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, one might need to be treated more frequently as well as take herbs.
What about herbs?
Often, herbal medicine combined with acupuncture is a much stronger approach than simply acupuncture alone. Modern laboratory research in China, Japan, and the United States confirm the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines. Clinical studies demonstrate the ability of specific herbs to improve immune system function, and provide antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antitumor effects. The herbal prescriptions I use at M.M. Van Benschoten and Associates are custom formulated for each individual patient at each office visit. A comprehensive database of scientific information on herbal medicines is updated on a daily basis with online searches from the National Library of Medicine.
What to expect from a course of treatment?
Like your MD, an acupuncturist cannot tell you exactly how long it will take for the healing to occur—especially with conditions that have become chronic. Often, it’s said the length of time for you to feel fundamentally better takes about as half as long as it did for the condition to become chronic. Of course, often people defy the rule of thumb and begin to feel better anywhere from 5-10 treatments.
How often do I need to come in?
If you decide to take herbs, you may need to come in once every few weeks or each month until you begin to see a marked change. With acupuncture, the frequency needs to be more, at least in the beginning, until the cumulative healing effect takes hold and your condition improves. At the time of the appointment, you will be given a treatment protocol which allows you to understand the course of treatment.
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