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What
is Acupuncture? |
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Acupuncture
is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to
improve functioning. This is
done by inserting needles at very precise acupuncture points. Often a mild
electrical current or local heat is used to provide additional stimulation
of the points. TOP of page |
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The
classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular
patterns through the body and over its surface.
These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing
through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues.
An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam
that backs up the flow in one part of the body and restricts it in others. |
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What
is Medical Acupuncture? Is
it Different from Ordinary Acupuncture? Acupuncture
is a very old medical art, and there are many approaches to learning and
practicing it. Medical
acupuncture is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor
trained and licensed in Western medicine who has also had thorough training
in acupuncture as a specialty practice.
Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of
both, to treat an illness. TOP of page |
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What
Can be Treated with Medical Acupuncture? Medical acupuncture is a system, which can influence three areas of health care:
While
acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a
well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications.
Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the
support or adjunct to other medical treatment forms in many medical and
surgical disorders.
Acupuncture
is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension and
stress and emotional conditions. TOP of page |
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How
Many Treatments Will I Need? The number
of treatments needed differs from person to person.
For complex or long-standing conditions, one treatment per week will
usually be used until the the best possible response is achieved. This will
usually take 4 to 8 treatments, but sometimes up to several months of weekly
treatment may be necessary. Once there is no further improvement, treatment intervals can
be spaced out farther and farther apart, until it is clear how often the
treatment is needed to maintain the benefit. This
tends to be as frequently as once a month for some people, to every three
months for others. Every six to eight weeks is pretty typical.
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Are
There Any Side Effects to the Treatment? Usually
not. As energy is redirected in
the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins
to take place. Occasionally,
the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in
appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be
triggered. These should not
cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is
starting to work. |
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What
Are the Needles Like? Do They
Hurt? People
experience acupuncture needling differently.
Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted;
some feel no pain at all. Once
the needles are in place, there may be a mild ache in the area, but no
bothersome pain. |
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Yes.
In the past 2,000 years, more people have been successfully treated
with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined.
Today, acupuncture is practiced in Asia, the now disbanded Soviet
Union, and in Europe. It is now
being used more and more in American by patients and physicians. |
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Do
You have to Believe in Acupuncture for it to Work? No. Acupuncture is used successfully on cats, dogs, horses, and
other animals. These animal
patients do not understand or believe in the process that helps them get
better. A positive attitude
toward wellness may reinforce the effects of the treatment received, just as
a negative attitude may hinder the effects of acupuncture or any other
treatment. A neutral attitude (I don't know if I can really believe
in this.) will not block treatment results. TOP
of page |
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Are
There any Do's or Don'ts on the Day of Treatment? Yes.
Acupuncture treatment should be given a chance to do its work in the
body with the least interferance. To enhance the value of a treatment, the
following guidelines are important:
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What
does acupuncture cost; is it covered by health insurance? In Northern Ohio, coverage for medical acupuncture treatments is not generally included as a covered service by insurance companies. So it is essentially an out-of-pocket expense for most people. Fees in various parts of the USA typically range from $50 to $100 per treatment. For acupuncture by Dr. Flynn or Dr. Kelly at the Center for Family Medicine, most treatments cost $68. At the first visit for a patient new to the practice, there will also be a new patient charge that is covered by many insurance plans. If not covered by insurance, this one-time fee will be $75 in addition to the acupuncture treatment. In the long run, money may be saved by reduced medication expense and reduced sick days. TOP of page |
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