Acupuncture FAQ
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a powerful, safe, and gentle medical therapy used throughout the world to effectively treat many health conditions. The benefits of acupuncture are now well documented by medical researchers and acknowledged by The World Health Organization and The National Institutes of Health.
How does Acupuncture work?
The individual acu-points that make-up the acupuncture pathways cover the entire body similar to the circulatory system and nervous system. Each of these points, when activated by a thin needle, has a distinct effect on the systems and organs of the body. Some points are used to reduce pain and speed healing while others may strengthen the immune system, digestive or respiratory system.
What are treatments like and how many will I need?
The initial evaluation and treatment includes time to discuss your health history, and treatment goals. Extremely thin needles (slightly thicker than a hair) willl be placed below the skin and left in place for at least 20 minutes. There is very little sensation of the needles which are nothing like an ordinary injection. The needles are sterile, used only once and disposed. Most people find the treatments deeply relaxing and many fall asleep during the treatment.
Acupuncture can be a highly effective therapy when patients follow the recommended treatment schedule. The amount of treatment needed depends on the nature, severity, and duration of the condition as well as the patient's general health, age, diet, exercise, activity, and stress level. Many of the common conditions treated require at least 2 treatments per week for several weeks and longer for more serious, chronic issues. Patients often receive multiple treatments per week because acupuncture requires frequent, consistent, and closely-spaced treatments to be most effective.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal therapy is a powerful complement to acupuncture care. Conventional drugs often control symptoms but do not alter the disease process. Herbal medicines can often address the ubderlying condition, improve immunity, strengthen organ function, and speed the healing process.
What is Asian Nutrition Therapy?
To get the most from acupuncture, it is important to support your treatments with proper nutrition. In the Asian system of nutrition therapy, each food, herb, and spice has distinct healing qualities that can help specific conditions, diseases, and pain. Likewise particular foods may worsen your condition.
Current Research on Conditions Treated by Acupuncture
•Bone, Muscle, Joint, Pain: arthritis (2), neck and shoulder pain, back pain, lower back , bursitis carpal tunnel, elbow pain, foot pain, orthopedic bone conditions,
•Cardiovascular: hypertension, high blood pressure
•Reproductive: endometriosis and fibroids, female or male infertility, low libido (2), menopause, menstrual problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pregnancy and postpartum care, PMS,
•Internal: chronic fatigue, diabetes (2), fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, lupus, obesity, weight loss, prostatis & pelvic pain, urinary problems, cystitis
•Reproductive: endometriosis and fibroids, female or male infertility, low libido, menopause, menstrual problems, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pregnancy and postpartum care, PMS,
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ACUPUNCTURE for PEOPLE and PETS
Fred Wolfson, L.Ac.
Frederick and Thurmont, MD
