ACUPUNCTURE
What
is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture
is a health science which is used to successfully treat both
pain and dysfunction in the body. Acupuncture has its roots
deeply rooted in China. In fact, authorities agree the
science is between 5,000 to 7,000 years old.
At
first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary
notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin
at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.
Early
Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network
traversing just below the surface of the skin which
communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and
structures at over 1,000 "Accupoints" on the body.
This energy works in harmony with the body's circulatory,
nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other
systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked
or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic
locations becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a
combination or key Accupoints on the body may restore
harmony to the affected area.
top
How
does it work?
The
human body's energy flow courses over twelve meridians or
channels that are normally well balanced. If a disruption of
energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system,
producing pain or symptoms in the body.
If
we were to compare a 175 pound man on one end of a seesaw
and a 45 pound child on the other end, it becomes obvious
the seesaw would appear broken due to the fact the heavier
person would be sitting on the ground and the lighter would
be dangling in the air. Even though the seesaw is producing
a symptom of being broken, extensive examination would not
reveal anything wrong with the seesaw. The obvious answer is
balance. Correction of the balance corrects the problem.
This
is Acupuncture's goal - to restore normalcy to the body's
energy balance by utilizing a combination of Acupoints
located on the fourteen meridians. This is accomplished by a
variety of means, the needle is just one.
top
Is
Treatment Painful?
One
would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be
painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a
pin or having hypodermic injection. However, four
Acupuncture needles can easily by inserted into the hollow
type of hypodermic needle. Because of the extreme
slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensation
as "less that a mosquito bite." A phenomenon
referred to as "TEH CHI" occurs when energy is
contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate
heaviness or tingling.
Needles
obviously still have their place in clinical practice.
However, many physicians certified in Acupuncture and
licensed Acupuncturists are employing electronic and laser
stimulation to the Acupoint with equal effectiveness as the
needle. Both of these procedures are painless and are
quickly becoming standard worldwide.
top
What
Treatments are Accepted?
Dr.
Weathers treats the following conditions:
- Acute
and chronic pain relief,
- migraine,
- tension
cluster and sinus headaches,
- trigeminal
neuralgia,
- bladder
dysfunction,
- bed
wetting,
- cervical
(neck) pain,
- upper
and mid-back pain,
- low
back pain,
- sciatica,
top
|
- osteoarthritis,
- sprains
and strains,
- frozen
shoulder,
- tennis
elbow,
- post
operative pain relief,
- asthma,
- allergies,
- nicotine
addiction,
- PMS,
and
- dysmenorrheoa.
|
How many treatments are usual?
After
the first treatment, whereas others may not notice any
effect until the seventh or eighth visit. It's been shown
that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum
benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.
A
small number of patients will experience a worsening of
symptoms, as the body's energies are returning to normal.
This is usual and no need for alarm. It is followed by
improvement. Researchers internationally agree the usual
number of treatments is between eight and sixteen. The usual
frequency is between two and four times a week.
top
Addiction
Control
Acupuncture has gained a great deal of notoriety in recent
years concerning its considerable success with addiction
control. It has been shown that Acupuncture has a very
positive effect in the area of both drug and alcohol
addiction. This procedure in conjunction with professional
counseling has been proven extremely effective.
One
of the most noteworthy addictions Acupuncture helps is
smoking. The average patient will reduce their intake by at
least one half within twenty four hours of the first
treatment. Several additional treatments generally allow the
patient to stop without experiencing the negative side
effects of quitting. Acupuncture also has a favorable effect
in weight control.
top
