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1. What
is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion
of fine needles into the body at specific points shown
effective in the treatment of specific health problems.
The Chinese has mapped these points over a period of two
thousand years. Recently, electromagnetic research has
confirmed their locations.
2.
How deep do the needles go?
That depends upon the nature of the problem, the
location of the points selected, the patient’s size,
age, and constitution,
and upon the acupuncturist’s style or school.
Usually, needles are inserted from ¼ to 1 inch in depth.
3. Does it hurt?
If your practitioner has obtained the correct
stimulus of the needle, the patient should feel mild
cramping, heaviness,
distention, tingling, or electric sensation either
around the needle or traveling up or down the affected
meridian, or energy
pathway. Some Western cultures may categorize these
sensations as types of pain. In any case, if you
experience any
discomfort, it is usually mild.
4. Are the needles clean?
We use sterile disposable needles which are used once. For those who cannot afford disposable needles separate container is maintained which is sterilized every visit.
5. How does acupuncture
work?
Modern Western medicine cannot explain how acupuncture
works. Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient
Chinese
theories of the flow of Qi ( Energy ) and
Xue (Blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that
cover the body somewhat
like the nerves and blood vessels do.
According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to
flow to areas where it is
deficient and away from where it is Excess.
In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the
harmonious energetic
balance of the body. In Chinese there is a
saying.” There is no pain if there is free flow, if
there is pain, there is no free
flow.”
6. How many treatments will I need?
That depends upon the
duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. A
series of 3 sets of treatments may resolve many chronic
problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many
treatments over time.
7. Is there anything I
need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
Yes, the following suggestions will help you get
the maximum benefits from your treatment.
1.
Maintain good
personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial
infection.
2.
To prevent
loss, do not wear jewelry.
3. Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one-piece
dresses. Avoid wearing tight stockings.
4. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry or
immediately after heavy meals, during menses,
emotionally
upset, or shortly after
sex.
8. Is there anything I
need to do while receiving acupuncture?
Yes,
1. Relax. There
is no need to be frightened. Ask any questions you have
along the way so that you can get the most
benefit possible
from the treatment.
2. Do not change your position or move suddenly. If you
are uncomfortable, please let us know.
3.
Some people
experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of
breath, or faintness during treatment. This often occurs if you are
nervous. Inform us immediately so he or she can readjust
or withdraw the needless. If you find your treatment
unbearable at any point, be sure to speak to us so that
we can make the proper adjustments or if required to stop the treatment.
9. What Are The Mechanisms
Of Acupuncture And Its Effects?
Acupuncture is well known for its benefit in relieving
pain. Recent medical advances in neurophysiology
indicate that acupuncture has the ability to increase
the body's level of endorphin (naturally produced body’s
morphine) in the bloodstream. Acupuncture needling
stimulates the release of body morphine-like substance
to alleviate pain.
Other popular neurological explanation is based on the
“Gate Control Theory” developed by R. Melzack and P.
Wall in 1965. According to this theory, the pain
perception is controlled by a functional gate (or gates)
within the central nervous system. Normally, this gate
is wide open for pain impulses through the small
diameter nerve fibers. But when acupuncture needling is
applied, a second stream of non-painful impulses is set
up from the site of needling through the large diameter
nerve fibers. The result is overcrowding or jamming the
gate causing it to close. In other words, there is
competitive inhibition of the pain impulses and no pain
(or less pain) is felt, even during a surgical
operation.
Therefore, the effects observed on
acupuncture needling are:
Analgesic (pain relieving) effect.
Analgesic (pain relieving) effect which
is achieved by raising the pain threshold.
Sedative effect.
Sedative effect (by needling specific
acupuncture points) which is utilized in treatment of
insomnia, anxiety states, addictions, epilepsies, mental
disorders and behavioural problems.
Homeostatic or regulatory effect.
Homeostatic or regulatory effect is
achieved by adjustment of the internal environment of
the body towards a state of normal balance.
Immune-enhancing effect.
Immune-enhancing effect of acupuncture is
elicited by strengthening the body resistance to
disease. This has been shown to be due to a two to four
fold increase in antibody titers has been observed.
Psychological effect.
Psychological effect is observed by
calming and tranquilizing action apart from mere
sedation.
Motor recovery effect.
Motor recovery effect is hastened by
acupuncture in patients who become paralysed from some
cause or another.
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