Acupuncture FAQ
Help, I’m afraid of needles!
- We offer many non-needle treatments that are very effective.
- Acupuncture needles are nothing like hypodermic needles. They are thin (about as wide as a strand of hair), solid, and extremely flexible.
- Though the needles penetrate the skin, there is rarely any bleeding or bruising. Patients seldom experience pain, though they may feel tingling, heaviness, or an aching sensation.
- By contrast, the hypodermic needles used by Doctors are heavier and thicker, hollow and sometimes serrated. They break the skin and cause bleeding. Ten to twelve acupuncture needles can fit into the standard hypodermic needle used to draw blood.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
In a national survey of acupuncture patients the following acupuncture facts regarding benefits were revealed:
90% reported “disappearance” or “improvement” of symptoms after treatment.
91% said they were “extremely” or “very” satisfied with their acupuncture practitioner.
The most popular words chosen to describe the patient’s relationship with his or her practitioner were “guide,” “partner,” and “friend.”
In the United States, acupuncture has gained acceptance by the medical establishment. The World Health Organization recognizes the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of the following medical conditions:
The following is the World Health Organization’s list of diseases that can be treated by acupuncture.
Cardiovascular Disorders
Essential hypertension
Neurological Disorders
Headache and migraine
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy (early stage, within three to six months)
Paresis following stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Meniere’s Disease
Nocturnal enuresis
Cervicobrachial syndrome
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Intercostal neuralgia
Disc problems
Musculo-skeletal Disorders
Muscle pain, swelling, stiffness and weakness
Localized traumatic injuries, sprains, strains, tendonitis, contractures
A rthritis
Fibromyalgia
Work and sports related injuries
Low back pain
Osteoarthritis
“Frozen shoulder”, “tennis elbow”
Sciatica
Respiratory System Disorders
Acute sinusitis
Acute rhinitis
Common cold
Acute tonsillitis
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Disorders of the Eye, Ear, Nose & Mouth
Acute conjunctivitis
Central retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract (without complications)
Toothaches, post extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic pharyngitis
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Spasms of esophagus and cardia
Irritable bowel and colitis
Hiccough
Gastroptosis
Acute and chronic gastritis
Gastric hyperacidity
Chronic duodenal ulcer (pain relief)
Acute duodenal ulcer (without complication)
Acute and chronic colitis
Constipation
Diarrhea
Acute bacillary dysentery
Paralytic ileus
Gynecological Disorders
Infertility (Not WHO recognized. Clinical experience proves effective.)
PMS
Dysmenorrhea
Menopause syndrome
Benign irregular menstruation
Benign amenorrhea
Psychological Disorders
Depression
Anxiety
OCD
PTSD
Somatization disorder
Hypersomnia
Insomnia
Other Disorders
Withdrawal from street and pharmacological drugs
Appetite suppression
What about the cost of treatment?
In a national survey of acupuncture patients the following acupuncture facts regarding cost were revealed:
70% said they avoided surgery.
84% said they saw their MD’s less often.
58% said they saw their psychotherapists less often.
78% said they used fewer prescription drugs.
Patients say acupuncture costs about 60% as much as MD care.
How does acupuncture work?
The amazing thing about acupuncture is that it influences so many of the body’s systems–musculo-skeletal, neurological, hormonal, digestive, immune. All are impacted at the same time. The acupuncture points are located near major junctions of the nerves and blood vessels, thereby producing a systemic effect. There is also new research on fascial planes that coincides with the traditional descriptions of acupuncture meridians, providing another possible mechanism of action.
Did you know that studies have proven that the acupuncture “placebo” that they use in clinical studies works better than the pharmaceutical drug placebo? That means that the micro-injury produced by the acupuncture needle provokes a small healing response no matter where it is inserted. But the good news is that Chinese Medicine, over thousands of years, has developed an effective system of diagnosis which allows us to pick the most effective points for your specific problem.
How are acupuncturists trained?
Acupuncture practitioners are licensed at the state level. In Maryland, the state Board of Acupuncture licenses and regulates acupuncturists.
Standards to practice safely and effectively have been established by the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists.
There are more than 40 schools of acupuncture in the U.S.,; they are accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Schools and Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NACSCAOM).
For more on acupuncture training and licensure click here
What is the difference between “Dry Needling” and Acupuncture Treatment?
The Maryland Attorney General has issued a formal opinion that there is no difference. “Dry Needling” is a term that was invented to allow physical therapists, chiropractors and other health professionals to practice acupuncture without further training, often with only a weekend course. By contrast, medical doctors in Maryland are required to take a 200 hour course before they can legally practice acupuncture. Doesn’t it seem strange that PT’s are practicing acupuncture with less training than MD’s are required to have?
There have been numerous incidences of undertained practitioners puncturing organs in patients due to the practice of “dry needling.” It’s our recommendation that you choose an acupuncturist to perform “dry needling.” You can feel confident that an acupuncturist has had thousands of hours of training and supervised experience in using needles–and a great safety record.
