Acupuncture Treatment Methods & Techniques

Acupuncture is a 5,000-year-old Chinese system of natural healing. This ancient healing art does not use drugs or surgery to treat the body. Rather, fine sterile needles are inserted into specific points of the body to restore a balanced flow of energy. Heat and electrical stimulation may also be used in acupuncture treatment.

Needle insertion

While acupuncture can involve a variety of treatment methods, it is most often associated with the insertion of needles. The needles that are inserted are very thin, filiform (solid), and sterile. They are placed into selected and known points of the body where they promote a healing process and can relieve pain.

Generally, the insertion of these needles is painless, however every patient is different and some may experience a momentary discomfort. This usually passes quickly. Other normal sensations with the insertion of the needles includes a feeling of warmth, a dull aching, or a tingling feeling at the site of the insertion or along the associated acupuncture meridian.

Low Level Laser Techniques

Perhaps you are frightened of needles? In Budapest, 1966, Dr. Endre Mester performed two test studies. One showed that an area which had been shaved and treated with LLLT grew back faster than an area not treated; the second studied the effects of LLLT on surgical wounds. The wound treated with LLLT healed at a faster rate.

Fast forward to today: thousands of studies and successfully treated patients later, the term Low Level Laser is starting to gain recognition for its true healing value. LLLT has been successful in treating Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and other non-repetitive stress disorders up to 85% of the time. Fibromyalgia seems to respond well, as do trigeminalneuralgia, scar tissue, complications from surgery, torn cartilage, nerve damage and headaches, muscular injuries, open wound, and diabetic lesions. Clinical research continues to be done on hundreds of different conditions.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves the burning of an herb–moxa–either on the head of the needle or against the skin. Most often this involves only tiny threads of moxa. With proper technique, it is often a pleasant treatment that gives a mild warming feeling and carries little risk of causing a burn.

Moxa is an herb from the chrysanthemum family. It warms, increases the circulation of qi and blood, strengthens yang and helps to prevent disease.

Cupping

Cupping is a technique that is not unique to acupuncture. It is used to promote the flow of qi and blood in the meridians. Glass or plastic cups are placed against the skin with an internal vacuum. There is a temporary imprint or mark left after the treatment. This mark generally disappears in a few days.

Tui Na

Tui Na is like a cross between Shiatsu and Acupressure. Tui Na uses rhythmic compression along energy channels of the body as well as a variety of techniques that manipulate and lubricate the joints. Like acupressure, Tui Na directly affects the flow of energy by holding and pressing the body at acupressure points.