Bedford Acupuncture

I think one of the most common question I get asked as an acupuncturist is, "How does it work?"

I usually like to explain this answer in terms of two very different theories. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest continuous systems of medicine in history, dating back over 3,000 years. The Chinese Medical Model believes that there is basic life energy, called "Qi" that flows through the body in certain channels called meridians. When Qi becomes blocked or disturbed due to certain stressors, body functions do not work properly. Acupuncture needles are inserted into certain points to help restore a normal balance and flow of energy in the body. Modern western medical research has shown that acupuncture works by allowing the body to release endorphins, natural pain killers that help reduce pain, stress and help to control regulatory systems in the body.

What should I expect to happen during my first acupuncture visit?

During your first acupuncture visit a complete health history will be taken. Looking at all body systems is a key element to Chinese Medicine. Everything in the body is connected, so if you have some kind of small issue you feel is unrelated, we want to hear about it. It just might help us to understand where your chief complaint is coming from. A tongue and pulse diagnosis will be performed. These tools allow us to see how the internal organs are functioning. It also is a great tool to confirm what your presenting symptoms are showing, or sometimes show us another element at play that might be involved. For example I may look at a persons tongue and see a very red tip. The tip of the tongue represents the Heart in Chinese medicine. The heart is associated with the spirit, also called "shen". Sometimes if a person has been under a great deal of emotional stress, struggles with insomnia, or has night sweats we see the tip of the tongue display a more pronounced redness.

After the interview, your acupuncturist will develop a Chinese Medicine Diagnosis and create a treatment plan. This will include specific acupuncture points that will be used, the necessity of complimentary modalities,and frequency of care. Next you will begin your acupuncture treatment. Once the needles are inserted, the treatment ranges from 30-45 minutes in length. During this period of time you will be relaxing in a very comfortable treatment room. Many people even fall asleep during their acupuncture treatments.

Does it hurt?
I would say this is the second most commonly asked question. The answer is no, acupuncture should be a very comfortable and relaxing experience. Upon insertion of the needles, often people report a sensation of a dull achiness, or sometimes feel a spreading sensation. If a needle ever feels uncomfortable, it can be removed right away or adjusted so that it is not felt anymore. Once the needles are all in place, you wouldn't even know they are there unless you looked at them. Alyson uses a variety of needles that can accommodate even the most sensitive patients.

What types of disease can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture can treat a variety of disorders both acute and chronic. The most common reason I have people come in for acupuncture is to treat pain. A recent new patient of mine told me he thought acupuncture could only treat back pain. The answer is yes, acupuncture is great at treating back pain, but this is just one of its many uses for health disorders. The World Health Organization recognized the use of acupuncture to treat the following diseases, symptoms or disorders as proven through controlled clinical trials:
Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
Biliary colic
Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
Dysentery, acute bacillary
Dysmenorrhoea, primary
Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)
Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
Headache
Hypertension, essential
Hypotension, primary
Induction of labour
Knee pain
Leukopenia
Low back pain
Malposition of fetus, correction of
Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Neck pain
Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
Periarthritis of shoulder
Postoperative pain
Renal colic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Sprain
Stroke
Tennis elbow

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