Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine, which also includes herbalism, nutrition, massage and meditation.  It is originally from China and has a history of use for over 3,000 years.  Acupuncture needles are fine and made of stainless steel about the diameter of a few strands of hair.  A guided insertion tube is commonly used to assist in quick and painless insertion.  Needles are never reused at IAOM.  A sensation is often felt once the needle reaches to the level of the body's energy or "qi".  The amount of needles used varies depending upon the condition and the  person.   The placement of the needles is also unique to the person and condition, and might be placed in the knee even though it is back pain that is the complaint.  Needles are generally retained for a period of 15-45 minutes, again dependent on the person and condition.  A sense of relaxation can be expected after an acupuncture treatment.  Rather than taking a symptomatic approach to illness, traditional Chinese medicine treats underlying imbalances by stimulating the body's own natural healing ability.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture may be effective in treating the following ailments.  Underlined conditions include links to studies using acupuncture:

Stress                                               Low Back Pain                       P.T.S.D.

Depression                                      Anxiety                                   Insomnia

Smoking Cessation                         Additions                                Dizziness

Fatigue                                            Weight Management              Motion Sickness Nausea                                            Vomiting                                 Joint Pain

Bone Pain                                        Nerve Pain                             Dental Pain

Cancer Pain                                     Sciatica                                  Arthritis

Tennis Elbow                                  Headaches                              TMJ

Chronic Fatigue                              Fibromyalgia                           Infertility

PMS                                                Menstrual Disorders               Menopause

Migraines                                        Shoulder Pain                         IVF Treatment

UTI’s                                               Incontinence                           Knee Pain

Hypertension                                   Plantar Fascitis

Why Does Acupuncture Work?

Western science posits that there are three main mechanisms for acupuncture’s effects:

1. Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby reducing pain.

2. Changes in brain chemistry, sensation, and involuntary body functions: Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Acupuncture also has been documented to affect the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes whereby a person’s blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature are regulated.

3. Changes in blood flow: Acupuncture and Oriental medicine alters the circulation of blood to the affected area, resulting in removal of pain causing chemicals, and restoring normal function to the area being treated.

Herbs and Medicinals

Chinese medicinals are an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and may be recommended to accompany your acupuncture treatments.  Kerry Jenni and Josh Singer have each spent years researching the highest quality herbs possible and only source herbal companies that are regularly tested for heavy metals and pesticides to meet the FDA’s high purity standards.  They recommend only Chinese herbs manufactured in G.M.P. certified facilities and are free of additives, artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives.

Traditional Chinese Medicine, with rare exception, utilizes herbs in formulation.  In addition to the function of each individual herb, it is the synergistic effect the herbs have together that creates change.  This holistic approach to herbalism reduces side effects that may occur from overstimulating one singular system in the body.