What is Acupuncture?

The World Health Organization has publicly announced that acupuncture is suitable for treating the following:

Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders: Toothaches, pain after tooth extraction, gingivitis, acute or chronic otitis, acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, nasal catarrh, and acute tonsillitis.

Respiratory Disorders: Bronchial asthma (in children or adults when uncomplicated).

Gastrointestinal Disorders: Esophageal and cardio spasm, hiccup, gastroptosis, acute or chronic gastritis, sour stomach, chronic duodenal ulcers, acute or chronic colonitis, acute bacillary dysentery, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus.

Eye Disorders: Acute conjunctivitis, central retinitis, nearsightedness (in children), and cataracts without complications.

Neurological and Muscular Disorders: Headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis (within the first 3-6 months), post-stroke paresis, peripheral neuritis, neurological bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, intercostal neuralgia, cervical syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, and osteoarthritis.

In addition, acupuncture has been used for centuries in China to treat a host of other problems, such as knee pain, sprains and strains, and most gynecological complaints.

You may also consider acupuncture for the following symptoms: Allergy, Asthma, Ankle or Back Pain, Breech Baby, Broken Bone Pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chest and Ribs Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Drug Abuse Detox, Dizziness, Fibromyalgia, Frozen Shoulder, Headache, Heel Pain, Hip Pain, Jaw Pain, Joint Pain, Knee Pain, Labor Induction, Migraines, Neck and Shoulder Pain, PMS, Post Operative Pain, Post Stroke Pain, Scar Pain, Sexual Issues, Tail-Bone Pain, Tennis Elbow, TMJ, Wrist Pain, and many others.

That depends upon the nature of the problem, the underlying anatomy of the points selected, the patient’s size, age, and constitution, and upon the acupuncturist’s style or school. In general, needles are inserted from 1/4″ to 1″ in depth.

In Chinese, acupuncture is bu tong, painless. However, if the correct stimulus of the needle has been obtained, the patient should feel some cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling, or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected energy pathway or meridian. In English, these sensations may be categorized by some people as types of pain, which they are not in Chinese. In any case, if there is any discomfort, it is usually mild.

Most acupuncturists in America today use pre-sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles thus absolutely assuring that there is no transmission of communicable disease from patient to patient due to contaminated needles. The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists does include a Clean Needle Test as part of every national board exam for acupuncturists in America.

No. As an integral part of what in English is called acupuncture, most practitioners are also trained to use a number of adjunctive therapies. These typically include moxibustion, which is the burning of the herb Artemisia vulgaris sinensis over the affected area to warm it, cupping, electronic stimulation, magnetotherapy, and various types of massage, such as acupressure, Shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and/or Tuina Chinese remedial massage.

That’s a big question. Traditionally, acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese theories of the flow of Qi (energy) and Xue (Blood) through discrete channels or meridians which traverse the body similar but not identical to the nervous and blood circulatory systems. According to this theory, acupuncture regulates this flow of Qi shunting it to those area where it is Deficient and draining it from where it is Excess. Thus acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body. In Chinese there is a famous dictum, “There is no pain if there is free flow; if there is pain, there is no free flow.” Essentially acupuncture promotes the free and balanced flow of Qi and Blood.

Yes, there are. Acupuncture originated in China but has spread to Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, the British Isles, and America. In different countries, different styles have developed based differing opinions as to theory and technique. Patients should query potential practitioners as to their particular style and orientation and should ascertain if that style is appropriate for the treatment of their individual ailment.

Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated healthcare profession in approximately half the states in the Union. In those where it is licensed, patients should first of all ensure themselves that the potential practitioner is licensed. In those states which do not currently require licensing, patients should seek practitioners who are national board certified by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists. Acupuncturists having passed this exam usually append Dipl. Ac. (NCCA) after their names. In addition, patients should inquire about where the practitioner was trained, how long the training was, how long he or she has been in practice, and what experience the practitioner has had in treating the patient’s specific ailment. And, beyond intelligently checking a practitioner’s professional credentials, the best assurance is word of mouth from satisfied patients.

That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of each individual’s complaint. Generally from five to fifteen treatments are adequate for the majority of chronic ailments. Many acute conditions may only require a single treatment and some degenerative conditions may require scores of treatments. However, the patient has the right to expect that their major complaint will be addressed and treated in a direct and timely manner.

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. In order to prevent loss, do not wear jewelry.
3. Eat a light meal approximately 2 hours before your visit.
4. Wear loose-fitting clothing with a blouse or shirt that buttons up the front.  Women should not wear one-piece dresses.  Avoid wearing tight stockings.
5. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry, full, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex.
6. Plan to have some quiet time following your treatment.
7. Know that in rare cases bruising of the skin or slight bleeding may occur.

1. There’s no need to be frightened.  RELAX.  Relaxation is something that cannot be overemphasized.
2. If you experience dizziness, nausea, cold sweat, shortness of breath, or faintness during treatment this known as needle shock.  Immediately inform your practitioner and they will withdraw the needles.  Needle shock is primarily due to anxiety in first-time patients.  It rarely happens if the patient is treated lying down.
3. Feel free to let your practitioner know of any pain or burning sensations experienced during acupuncture or moxibustion.  If you find acupuncture or electro-acupuncture unbearable at any point during treatment, be sure to speak up so that the proper adjustments can be made.
4. Do not change your position or move suddenly.

One may experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or other symptoms. This relief may last or some of the pain may return. In a few cases, the pain may seem even worse. This is called the rebound effect. By the next day, the pain can be expected to gradually improve. Often the most dramatic results are experienced in the first treatment. However, one should see further incremental improvement after each subsequent treatment. In a few cases, there may be no immediate relief only to experience the pain diminish over the next couple of days.

Most patients will have more questions than these, such as: Should I continue taking my present medication? What should I eat? Is there anything I can do for myself at home? What signs of success should I look for first and after how long? All these are valid and valuable questions and can be answered by Dr. Lee.

In the meantime, remember: ACUPUNCTURE WORKS!