Yes! Acupuncture can help with weight loss!

Auricular therapy, developed by French acupuncturist Paul Nogier in the 1950’s, has been shown to help with many physical ailments and psychological problems. Acupressure and electrical stimulation in the external ear are used to stimulate points that correspond to specific organs and body functions. For example, to control the craving for food a stomach point is used that will access the central nervous system to calm the stomach. Other points will be used that also tie in with dampening the desire to nosh. We have a 5 week program that has been shown to decrease the need for overeating and also encourages healthy eating patterns and helps establish exercise habits. Call today for a consultation!

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a 5000 year old Chinese system of natural healing which is concerned with restoring proper energy flow to the various organs, glands and tissues of the body on the premise that most diseases are the result of malfunction due to disrupted energy. The ancient Chinese believed that there is a universal life energy in everyone called Chi or Qi. This energy is said to circulate throughout the body along specific pathways that are called meridians. As long as this energy flows freely throughout the meridians, health is maintained but once the flow of energy is blocked, the system is disrupted and pain or illness may occur. Imagine rivers that flood and cause disasters or an electrical grid short-circuiting that causes black-outs. Acupuncture works to "re-program" and restore normal functions by stimulating certain points on the meridians in order to free up the chi energy.

How was acupuncture discovered?

It’s easy to see how some of the points were discovered. There is an instinctive impulse to hold your forehead or temples when you have a headache. Both sites are highly effective acupuncture points for headaches and other problems. When someone is anxious or upset it is common to see them wring their hands. There are several points on the heart meridian that runs along a line from the little finger up the arm that help calm one down. Everyone at one time or another has used his or her hands spontaneously to hold tense or painful places on the body, personal tender points are called "ahshi" points and are different on each individual. More points were discovered by the seemingly unlikely results of war between early Chinese dynasties. Soldiers wounded by arrows or stones reported that symptoms of disease that had plagued them for years had suddenly disappeared. An arrow through the knee, acupuncture point Liver 13, cured hayfever. An arrow through the little toe cured a headache, acupuncture point Bladder 67. Chinese physicians have to be credited with years of meticulous observations and gradually piecing together methods of curing disease using these points. Through trial and error the tradition of acupuncture developed not only points to be treated for each malady but also the theory of meridians and the energy flow through them that regulates the body.

Acupuncture points or "xue" points are subepidermal areas with less resistance to induction of electrical current compared to the surrounding skin. Three hundred sixty one points are traditionally used by Chinese physicians. These points are located on fourteen main meridians through which the chi or energy flows. Twelve of these meridians are bilateral, which means there is a right and a left branch.

How is a disturbance in energy flow detected in a patient?

There are several methods, including certain signs, symptoms, pain spots, organ reflex points and by pulse or instrumental findings. Back to Health Chiropractic Center has been using microcurrent to find energy readings from the fingers and toes or even wrists and ankles. We have an Acugraph computer program that analyzes the readings. A graph can be printed showing the balance or imbalance between the meridians which aid in determining a method of treatment for each individual. (See last question for further information.)

Is it necessary to have needles?

No! The Chinese used many different ways to treat acupuncture points. Heat or moxibustion, pressure, massage, magnets, laser and electrical stimulation are among the options available. Back to Health Chiropractic Center uses microcurrent, which usually isn’t felt at all by the patient or filiform (very slender) needles depending on patient preference and the condition being treated.

What are some of the conditions commonly treated by acupuncture?

The Acupuncture Prescription Index lists over 2000 conditions that can be treated by acupuncture. Some of the common conditions include:

• Acute pain
• Chronic pain
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Tension headaches
• Migraine headaches
• Neck pain
• Sinus/allergies
• Low back pain
• Bell’s palsy
• Depression/stress/anxiety
• Insomnia
• Infertility
• Breech baby
• Knee pain
• Bedwetting
• Carpal tunnel
• Digestive problems
• Phantom pain

Is there a scientific basis for acupuncture?

Yes! Both the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture consider acupuncture to be a complementary form of treatment for most of the conditions listed above. The scientific basis for the theory of acupuncture is still being developed. To date, more than 10,000 scientific research studies have been published as cataloged by the National Library of Medicine. (www.nih.gov/medlineplus/acupuncture.html)

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments obviously varies with each condition and patient. Chronic problems usually require more treatments. Some patients notice an immediate improvement while others may not notice any effect until several treatments have been performed. Researchers agree that the usual number of treatments is between 8 and 16 with a treatment frequency of 2 to 4 times a week. It has also been shown that a certain number of patients receive the maximum benefits for up to 3 months following a course of therapy. It should also be noted that a small number of patients will experience a slight worsening in their symptoms as the body’s energies begin to return to normal. This is not unusual and should not be a cause for alarm as it is followed by improvement.

How does an Acugraph work?

How does it work? The entire AcuGraph exam takes less than two minutes and is easy enough for an office assistant to perform. Here’s an overview:

1. MEASURE each meridian with AcuGraph’s computerized measurement probe, as the computer guides the doctor or assistant, point-by-point with clear photographic illustrations and verbal prompts.

2. WATCH in amazement as AcuGraph instantly provides complete graphical analysis and interpretation of the patient’s meridian energetics in 9 different graph styles, including; yin/yang, 5-elements, horary, and complete symptomatic associations, in a format patients readily embrace. The Personal Integrated Energetics (P.I.E.) score boils the results down to a single number that patients readily understand.

3. TREAT the most effective acupuncture points for the patient, based on AcuGraph’s intelligent analysis and 9 available guided treatment protocols.

4. COMPARE the incredible results experienced by patients and tracked by subsequent AcuGraph examinations. Only AcuGraph gives us Evidence-Based Acupuncture™ documentation and tracking for superior documentation and patient compliance.