Acupuncture

Acupuncture is likely the most powerful & misunderstood therapeutic intervention. It is powerful because of its ability to reprogram the nervous system which interacts & controls every other system. The key is that the Chinese figured out the appropriate model for creating and facilitating this change.

The Chinese understood the body from a mathematical standpoint not purely a biomedical one. Asking the appropriate questions is in part important to arriving at the best answer. Anyone who tries to convince you that these abstract symbolic terms are real such as “Qi” “Yin” “Yang” etc. have missed the fact they are simply concepts that fit into a model that represents something real but they themselves are not. This is similar to a mathematical model where abstract terms are used to model something that is real but they themselves are not. Only from here can we begin to help people understand how acupuncture works.

Below is what we understand from a biomedical viewpoint as to what is happening with acupuncture and its mechanisms of action on the human body.

If you are interested in a full list of conditions that acupuncture has been shown to effectively treat, please click here.

What can Acupuncture Treat?

Pain

Health/Stress

Chronic Disease & Systemic Disorders

Acupuncture effects every major system of the human body. Some of the systems are explained more in depth below as to what may be happening. Research has shown that nearly every disease involves a disturbance of homeostasis, inflammation, and many times some degree of pain. As we look at the broad effects listed below we can begin to understand why it may be effective for many different conditions.

Broad Primary Effects of Acupuncture:

1. It relieves pain

2. It reduces inflammation

3. It restores homeostasis

There are two primary pain theories as to what may be taking place which are explored more in depth below. The insertion of needles primarily effect the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system. These systems are the master control of almost every other system, specifically the nervous and endocrine system. Acupuncture is supporting and regulating these systems, helping to remind the body to do what it already knows how to do. This is in contrast to over-riding the system or a specific pathway which many drugs do and thus have higher risk for adverse side effects.

Inflammation has been understood to be present in nearly every disease process, thus the power of acupuncture is not limited in its effects to only treat pain.

Every disease is rooted in a disturbance of homeostasis which is defined as the body’s ability to regulate its environment and maintain internal balance.

Acupuncture Reduces Stress and Increases Emotional Well-Being

Acupuncture Releases Natural Pain Killers

Acupuncture Reduces Both Intensity And Perception Of Chronic Pain

Acupuncture Promotes Blood Flow

Acupuncture Relaxes Shortened Muscles

Acupuncture is one of the best therapies at modulating the parasympathetic “rest-and-digest” and sympathetic “fight-or-flight” parts of the autonomic nervous system. Research suggests acupuncture stimulates the release of oxytocin a hormone responsible for turning on the “rest-and-digest” or parasympathetic system. Research has demonstrated that an impaired parasympathetic functioning is present in many disease processes. This impaired functioning is present in autoimmune conditions such as lupus, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and many others. It also affects emotional responses with its modulating effect on the midbrain, specifically the hippocampus, thalamus and amygdala. These parts of the midbrain affect an individuals response to stress which in turn affects the endocrine system.

The insertion of acupuncture needles stimulate the peripheral nervous system which signals pathways of communication that affect parts of the central nervous system such as the amygdala, midbrain, thalamus, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The studies demonstrate a release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, endorphins and enkephalins which not only are all involved in helping the body deal with pain but many times more powerful than morphine.

Acupuncture’s effect as explained above on increasing endorphins and enkephalins which play a major role in helping to reduce the perception and intensity of pain. The process through which this happens is called “descending control normalization” which involves the serotonergic nervous system. This relates to the the Gate Control Theory of Pain as explained above in more detail.

Acupuncture has been demonstrated in many studies to increase blood flow and vasodilation to many different areas of the body. This is vitally important as if one really remembers the basic principle of why proper blood flow is important a stark realization happens. The blood contains everything. It contains oxygen, hormones, nutrients we absorb from food, analgesics (painkillers), anti-inflammatories, anti-oxidants, and substances from our immense system to help fight infection. The key is if blood flow is restricted its nearly impossible for healing to occur anywhere in the body as these substances are the building blocks and catalysts for this to happen. In other words no blood flow, no healing. The blood also removes waste products such as C02, lattice acid, and facilitates proper fluid balance.

The insertion of needles, relax shortened muscles and in turn reduce pressure on joint and nerve structures. This in turn promotes proper blood flow.

Nervous System

Digestive System

Muscular System

Circulatory System

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We believe in being open and honest about the importance of frequency in acupuncture treatments. Many clinics won’t explain the importance of needing to come multiple times a week to increase the efficacy and save you money overall. While many practitioners understand this principle they revert to the one time per week which has become customary in the United States. While one time per week for health maintenance works great, this doesn’t apply to both acute and chronic issues, especially longstanding ones. The customary once a week will work but it will end up requiring many more treatments and costing you overall much more in the long run. We believe you should be properly informed so you can make the best decision. Here is an example to demonstrate this.

Frequency 1 time per week = 35-40 Treatments

Frequency 2 times per week = 20-30 Treatments

Frequency 3 times per week = 15-20 Treatments

This is only a generalized example as every condition and person will be different. Based on our clinical experience, the key takeaway is the further apart one spaces their treatments an increased number of treatments will be required to resolve the issue. Thus sometimes costing twice as much, or more, when compared to more frequent treatments.

We believe in supporting and encouraging our patients toward achieving the health they deserve while making it financially viable. We have created packages that dramatically lower the price per treatment to help you save and we encourage you to space your treatments as frequently as your schedule will allow.

FAQ Acupuncture

How quickly will I notice results with acupuncture?

You should notice improvement after the first session. Acupuncture is also accumulative and just like any modality or therapeutic intervention a single treatment will not fix everything. Acupuncture, while one of the most effective and underrated natural modalities, is not magic. While the results may seem magical at times considering one may have tried everything else without much improvement, it simply leverages the innate healing capacity every human possesses naturally. It stimulates your body’s internal physiological pathways to promote healing and regain homeostasis. Most of this is achieved via the nervous system through specific combinations and placements of needles on the body, which was derived mathematically.

Does acupuncture have anything to do with energy or voodoo?

Acupuncture has nothing to do with “energy” but due to mistranslations it has created a false understanding in the West. Acupuncture can be understood or likened to a mathematical model where abstract terms which are not real (similar to math) are used to map the body. Then specific combinations of needles and placements are used to help reprogram or create change, similar to computer programming. A little known fact: the basis for all modern computing was derived from the I-Ching which is the basis of where Chinese Medicine is derived. The perspective of Chinese Medicine is closer to an engineer who takes a mathematical understanding rather than a biomedical one. It’s an entirely different paradigm of looking at the human body. The needles interact with the nervous system, which controls the whole body, and is the reason it can be used to treat such a wide array of conditions.

How often should I come for acupuncture treatments?

It’s wise to have a minimum 2 to 3 treatments per week, 4 or 5 treatments if your schedule allows and depending on the your condition.

We believe in being open and honest about the importance of frequency in acupuncture treatments. Many clinics won’t explain the importance of needing to come multiple times a week to increase the efficacy and save you money overall. While many practitioners understand this principle they revert to the one time per week which has become customary in the United States. While one time per week for health maintenance works great, this doesn’t apply to both acute and chronic issues, especially longstanding ones. The customary once a week will work but it will end up requiring many more treatments and costing you overall much more in the long run. See example above on this page for a more detailed understanding.

What should I wear?

It’s recommended that you wear loose fitting clothing that allows for access to at least the knee and elbow region.

Do the needles hurt?

The needles are very thin and many people feel minimal to no discomfort. In fact, over 30 acupuncture needles would be equivalent to 1 hypodermic needle which is used for a typical injection at the hospital.

Are acupuncture needles safe?

Acupuncture needles are made from stainless steel and medically classified for single use. Each needle is individually sterilized to prevent infection.

What should I expect after treatment?

All acupuncture treatments take advantage of the natural healing ability of the body. Insertions of needles reprogram your body to take advantage of, and direct, this ability.

It is natural for a condition to reemerge between treatments, but it will progressively improve in response to consecutive treatments sessions. The time for recovery from a condition will vary between individuals and conditions.

A small percentage of patients may experience an aggravation of a condition. This is an indication your body is responding to the acupuncture treatment. This aggravation resolves within a 24 to 36 hours. After this period the condition normally progresses to a lessor level than it was prior to the treatment.