Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for over three thousand years.  Extremely fine sterile needles are inserted into the patient at one of more of over four hundred points to promote healing, improve function and relieve pain by correcting the flow of Qi (pronounced chee) in one or more meridians.

Qi is the term for the vital energy that flows through specific streams in the body called meridians to nourish mind and body.  When the flow of Qi is interrupted it can cause a backup (excess) of Qi or a (reduction) of Qi.  Usually the body’s innate healing processes will correct the blockage but if the blockage continues illness, weakness and pain can occur.

Acupuncture needles are of various lengths from about one-half inch to six inches, usually around two inches lengths.  They are as thin as a cat’s whisker but they are solid and at least one can be inserted into a hypodermic needle used by your Western provider. For some people there is some pain but others feel nothing at all. The needle may be inserted at various depths and angles and may be left in from fifteen to thirty minutes.  Often when the needles work has been completed the body will automatically begin to push the needles out.  If the needle has not been left in long enough the body will sometimes resist being removed.

Acupuncture is extremely safe.  Sterile disposable needles are used and discarded following treatment, so there is minimal danger of infection.  Usually, there is a feeling of relaxation and well-being after the first one or two treatments. Occasionally, the original symptoms will worsen or there may be light headedness, changes in sleep or other bodily functions.  These are signs that the treatment is working.

Acupuncture treats two aspects of any disorder, the cause and the symptom.  Ideally, the body will heal itself in a specific period of time, but outside influences can cause a delay in recovery.  The precise placement of the acupuncture needles causes the release of healing cells, hormones and endorphins (think morphine).  Acupuncture is also cumulative; that is, one treatment builds upon the other.  As the release of endorphins causes the easing of pain the natural healing process has just begun or been revived.  Each subsequent treatment will cause another release of endorphins and a boost to the healing process. Pain will usually stop before healing is complete, so objective examination findings will determine if additional visits are needed.

Recent medical problems may require one to six treatments, but chronic complaints unusually take much longer.  A condition as severe as a frozen shoulder has been known to be overcome with as little as one visit.  Pain continuing two years subsequent to brain surgery has been eliminated in four visits. Chronic conditions though, usually require ten to twenty visits before results may be observed.  Long standing disc herniation may take several months of treatment three times per week.  You can plan on one month’s care for such conditions.  Very serious diseases may take years.

Yes.  For over three thousand yeas Acupuncture has successfully treated more people that all other methods combined. Acupuncture is currently being utilized by western medical doctors, veterinarians and chiropractors.

No.  Dogs, cats and especially horses have been successfully treated by acupuncture. If you believe you will be helped by acupuncture it will surely make treatment more beneficial.  You will follow your Acupuncturist’s instructions and keep your appointments, which will insure your successful treatment.

Usually acupuncture helps, but not always.  If no relief is felt after six visits acupuncture might not be for you.

Acupuncture is often sought for pain relief but it is an important treatment for many other conditions.  In 2003 the World Health Organization published a report about the effectiveness of acupuncture.  Conditions for which acupuncture have been proved effective are:

Depression	Nausea and vomiting
Dysmenorrhea	Dental pain
Stomach ulcers and gastritis	Postoperative pain
Essential hypertension	Perioperative pain
Primary hypertension	Periarthritis of shoulder
Induction of labor	Rheumatoid arthritis
Knee pain	Sciatica
Low back pain	Sprain
Morning sickness	Stroke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conditions for which Acupuncture has been shown to be affected but further study is needed:

Acne vulgaris	Obesity
Bell’s palsy	Osteoarthritis
Bronchial asthma	Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal Syndrome)
Cancer pain	Postoperative convalescence
Acute exacerbation of chronic cholecystis	Pre-menstrual syndrome
Gall stones	Chronic prostitis
Competition stress syndrome	Pruritis
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus	Radicular and pseudoradicular pain
Earache	Primary Reynaud’s syndrome
Female infertility	Recurrent lower urinary tract infection
Facial spasm	Traumatic urine retention
Fibromyalgia and fasciitis	Sore throat including tonsillitis
Insomnia	Acute spine pain
Labor pain	TMJ dysfunction
Lactation deficiency	Tourette’ syndrome
Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic	Chronic ulcerative colitis
Meniere’s disease	Kidney stones
Neurodermatitis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cupping is a therapy using glass or plastic cups placed on specific acupuncture points to stimulate the flow of Qi or on specific locations such as sore muscles.  A vacuum is created in the cup by heat or suction to draw out inflammation and leaving round pink to purple marks.  Purple indicates a greater removal of inflammation and may take several days to subside.  Cupping is often used by athletes for post-training recovery.

Gua sha is a therapy using a special tool to scrape the skin over acupuncture points or a problem muscle area. This technique leaves redness that will quickly dissipate.

Moxibustion is treatment with a burning herb that looks like a burning cigar to warm Acupuncture points.

Pronounced “chee gong”.  Qigong literally means life energy cultivation.  It is a traditional Chinese method of supporting and balancing qi, which combines slow movement and body postures with special emphasis on breathing and meditation.

Tui na is traditional Chinese massage with a unique push-pull style.  It is used over acupuncture points or over a problem muscle area.

Taiji (pronounced “tai chee”), which when translated means “Supreme Ultimate Boxing” may be practiced for both self-defense and its health benefits. It was originally conceived as a martial art but is most often used for health purposes as taught by Dr. Grace.  Tai ji is especially known for its slow movements to improve fitness, recover from illness promote relaxation and enhance well-being.

Dr. Grace is both a Qigong Master and a Taiji Master.  For further information see “Tai Chi Program at Kansas University Hospital Shows Dramatic Results” at www.qigonginstitute.org.

During the first visit a thorough case history will be taken regarding health, lifestyle, symptoms and their duration. The acupuncturist may examine your face, tongue and pulse to determine where Qi has become imbalanced.  You may have an initial acupuncture treatment following your exam. Your first visit may last from thirty to ninety minutes.

The acupuncturist will usually examine the tongue and the pulse.

The tongue reflects the condition of the organs and meridians.  The acupuncturist may check for color, cracks, shape and coating.

The acupuncturist may palpate the twelve pulses on each wrist.  Each pulse corresponds to a specific organ and meridian.  The acupuncturist will examine several qualities in each pulse to help reach a diagnosis.

Extremely fine sterile needles are inserted into the patient at specific acupuncture points. Additional modalities may be used.

Rates depend on duration of treatment. Average cost per session is from $60.00-$85.00.  Herbs and supplements are additional and vary in cost.