Acupuncture is an original ancient Chinese practice of puncturing the body (as with needles) at specific points. It is used extensively for a variety of medical purposes ranging from the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, to relieving pain and anesthetizing patients for surgery.

History
How Does Acupuncture Work?
What Can I Expect During My Visit?
Is Acupuncture painful?
Are there any alternative therapies with same effect?
Indications
Costs and Insurance Reimbursement

History

Acupuncture has been a major part of primary health care in China (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for the last 5,000 years. During New Stone Age (10,000-4,000) Shamans(1) were the primary Health providers. The first objective evidence of the practice of acupuncture were stone needles called “Bian Son Needles”(Bian Shi).

Acupuncture was first discussed in the ancient Chinese medical text "Huang Di Nei Jing" (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine), written more than 2000 years ago. While there is no doubt that the foundational principles of acupuncture were formulated in China, recent evidence suggests its origins lay elsewhere.

In the October 1998 issue of "Science" journal(2) , a report on the Tyrolean Iceman, by far the oldest known European mummified human body (5200 years old), reveals the presence of 15 well-preserved tattoo groups on his back and legs. The location of the tattoos very closely corresponds to known acupuncture points, along the Urinary Bladder Channel. This meridian is often used for the treatment of back pain. Computer tomography indicates the iceman suffered from arthrosis of the lumbar spine. This finding suggests the possibility that therapeutically intended acupuncture originated in central Europe long before its development in ancient China.

During the 6th Century A.D., improved transportation and communications within the Asian Continent led to the introduction of Chinese medicine to Japan; along with Buddhism accupuncture was introduced as a form of religious medicine.

In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama, in search of a simple, painless and speedy insertion method, developed the insertion tube, a small cylindrical tube through which the needle is inserted. This insertion method is still used today by practitioners worldwide, and in Japan by over 90% of the acupuncturists.

Acupuncture was first introduced in Europe by the French Jesuits in the 17th Century. In 1671, PP Harviell, S. J. A jesuit priest wrote Les secrets de la Medicine des Chinois, Consitant en al Parfaite Connoissance du Pauls.

It was not widely accepted in the West because of the clash of paradigms, that is, Western linear thinking couldn't understand how a needle inserted into the hand could cure a toothache. The acupuncture analgesia did not fit into the existing physiological paradigms of the Western scientist and was thus dismissed.

Today, however, acupuncture it is one of the most commonly used medical procedures in the world, focused on maintaining and restoring health to the body and mind. In more and more health systems today, acupuncture is used to complement conventional therapies.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture involves a safe insertion of very fine sterile needles through the skin and tissues at specific points of the body (acupoints(3)) in order to ublock the flow of energy through the body.

A needle functions similarly with a minuscule lightning rod. We can compare the interaction between atmospheric electrostatic energy and objects on the ground (or water) during a thunderstorm with the interaction between the acupuncture needle with vital field and flow (Qi) existed within and around the body. (Note: acupuncture can be applied to animals, and indeed has been applied particularly to horses, as well as dogs and cats).

By providing both acupuncture and certain conventional medications, some medical doctors have found it possible to achieve a state of complete healing for some patients and conditions. They also have found that using acupuncture lowers the need for conventional drugs and thus reduces the risk of side-effects for patients taking the drugs.

As a stress management tool, acupuncture can induce deep relaxation, healing of stress-related illnesses and emotional balance.

What Can I Expect During My Visit?

Getting to know the patient and understand the many life factors (stress caused by work and life-style, environment, illnesses, and physical or emotional distress) that may influence your well being are an integral part of the treatment process. The practitioner will ask you questions to get to know more about your current health situation. He or she may take your pulse to gauge imbalances in energy flow.

Is Acupuncture Painful?

The experience of being “needled” varies tremendously, but it's nothing to be afraid of. You may not feel the needles going in at all, or you may have a sensation like a very small electric charge upon insertion. Adverse side effects are rare and less bothersome than those of conventional treatments.

Are there any alternative therapies with same effect?

As a less invasive alternative, we can use variations of acupuncture therapies:
- magnetic acupuncture;
- moxibustion;
- cupping;
- auricular therapy;
- Tui-na massage (known as Shiatsu or Swedish massage)
They have soft stimulations of acupoints and acupuncture meridians without penetrating the skin. The results are similar but acupuncture remains the most efficient.

Indications

Musculoskeletal problems, pain and stress related illnesses have been shown to be the most frequently and successfully treated disorders. Acupuncture is adaptable to most clinical practices and can be used either as a primary or a complementary therapy.
Acupuncture therapy can be also provided for:
· weight control
· addiction
· quitting smoking
· adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting
· postoperative dental pain
Appointments for acupuncture treatment do not require a referral. To make an appointment for treatment or for an initial consultation, simply call.

Costs and Insurance Reimbursement

The cost of acupuncture treatment will vary depending on your medical condition and other factors. Currently, although many health insurance companies cover acupuncture treatments, some conditions apply. If you have questions regarding coverage, please contact your health insurance company.

1) Mircea Eliade – “Histoire des Croyances et des idées religieuses”, Payot, Paris 1978
2) Source: http://www.acupuncture-treatment.com/
3) Acupoints (acupuncture points) are access points that allow energy to flow from environmental energy fields of the etheric and physical bodies. The acupoints can be located on the skin via their characteristic of low of electrical resistance (high conductivity) which is consistent with their role as portals of energy entry and exit into and respectively from the body. The acupoints charts and their utilization have been developed in ancient times. The charts are continuously updated as a result of recent scientific researches