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Home > Services >AcupunctureWhat is Acupuncture?Acupuncture, a traditional Chinese healing art, which originated some 5,000 years ago, is now popular in the west. Traditional Chinese Medicine works with the life force or vital energy called chi. Chi must flow freely and be of a certain strength and quality for each organ in the body to function properly. Disease or pain arises when the chi is out of balance - meaning a deficiency, an excess, or an obstruction in the flow of chi exists. By inserting needles into selected points on the body, an acupuncturist draws chi or energy to a deficient area, disperses an excess of chi, or dissolves a blockage of chi. Acupuncture restores the body’s chi balance, thereby eliminating disease. As life’s demands increase and time for proper nourishment decreases, it becomes difficult for the body to maintain balance. When the body is unable to maintain equilibrium, acupuncture provides it with the desired direction and impulse to self correct. It is the role of the acupuncturist to assist the body in this self-correcting process. The acupuncturist helps the body return to proper balance by signaling the body to make adjustments or to open any blockages. The acupuncturist does so by needling acupuncture points that have proven to be practically effective for over 2000 years. <Return to the top of the page> Frequently Asked QuestionsHow Does Acupuncture Work?Modern scientific research has described various physiological shifts following acupuncture, such as beneficial changes in the body's own natural painkillers, anti-inflammatory agents, immune system functions and hormonal activity. Research also suggests that acupuncture causes stimulation or suppression of pain and emotion centers in the brain. What Does It Feel Like?A six year-old patient best described the sensation of receiving an acupuncture needle to his friend by saying, “See, it doesn’t hurt. It just pinches a little.” Acupuncture needles, because they are hair-thin, are never painful like a hypodermic needle or a sewing needle. Sensations may include mild tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a mild achy feeling usually lasting only minutes. Is Acupuncture Safe?Acupuncturists receive extensive training in the anatomy of the human body and practice proper acupuncture needling techniques to insure patient safety. In following the guidelines of Clean Needle Technique Certification, only pre-sterilized, disposable needles are used. Needles are used only once and then safely disposed. Each of our acupuncturists received their training in an intensive three-year Master’s Degree Program at The New England School of Acupuncture (NESA). The NESA program includes over 1200 hours of hands-on clinical instruction, instruction in western sciences and biomedicine, and a full year of clinical internships. Virtually Side Effect Free:Acupuncture is virtually free of adverse side effects when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, in fact, many secondary problems, such as poor sleep and fatigue may improve as a result of treatments. One patient recently commented that acupuncturists make the mistake of forgetting to point out the relaxation response of treatments. "That is the main reason I get treated!" he exclaimed. What does Acupuncture treat and will it effectively treat my condition?The traditional and principal use of Acupuncture is in the treatment of disease-simple, acute and chronic. Please refer to the CONDITIONS TREATED section for a partial list of conditions and symptoms effectively treated by acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In addition, contact The Lane Center for a free consultation to see if acupuncture can be an effective choice for you. What should I expect at my first visit?The Acupuncturist diagnoses the patient using Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques to ascertain the pattern of disharmony. The intake begins with a complete health history. Questions about all bodily functions are asked in order to determine how overall function is affected by the main complaint. So digestion, elimination, respiration, and the nature of any pain all have bearing on the TCM diagnosis and subsequent treatment. The interview includes other factors such as diet, lifestyle, and emotional well being as these facts complete one’s “energetic” picture. It further departs from a conventional medical intake when the Acupuncturist “reads” the patient’s tongue, feels the pulses and palpates the abdomen. Synthesizing the information gathered the Acupuncturist discerns where the “pattern of disharmony” lies and uses this knowledge to implement a plan of treatment. How Many Treatments are Needed?Some acute problems will show marked improvement after only one treatment while chronic illnesses may require many more. Each patient and condition is unique, therefore, a consultation with an acupuncturist is recommended for a more accurate prognosis. Considerations include:
Where does the Acupuncturist insert the needle?The most common places are the hands, forearms, lower legs, feet, back, and abdomen. What is the size of the needles?The needles are made of hair-thin stainless steel varying in length starting at 1/4 inch. Do the needles cause bleeding?No. The needles are so thin that they rarely cause any bleeding. How many needles are used in a treatment?This depends on the patient’s need and on the discretion of the acupuncturist. Can Acupuncture Be Used As Preventive Medicine?Yes, it can! Through years of training in diagnostic skills, an acupuncturist may recognize imbalances before they manifest as disease. At TLC, the acupuncturist’s goal is to help her/his patients raise their quality of health and vitality. Patients learn proactive health habits and receive periodic treatments to maintain proper health. Is Acupuncture Covered by Health Insurance?While some insurance companies do cover acupuncture, most do not. It is anticipated that most health insurance will cover acupuncture in the coming years. In the meantime, it is important to realize that there are many instances in which just a few acupuncture treatments can correct longstanding ailments. In these circumstances, the cost of acupuncture may actually be far less than alternatives that insurance largely covers. In addition, the value of a quicker recovery may well offset the price paid for acupuncture treatments. Please contact The Lane Center for a free consultation to see if acupuncture can be a cost effective choice for you. Adjunct Techniques to Acupuncture include:
<Return to the top of the page> More Questions and AnswersCan Acupuncture treat alcohol, drug, food and smoking addictions?Acupuncturists at the Lane Center have specialized training in treating addiction. (Link to NADA) Acupuncture successfully treats all of these addictions, but is most successful when used in conjunction with counseling and group support like AA, NA, and OA. Many recovery programs use a combination of acupuncture and counseling to help support people who are recovering from addictions. Is it possible to treat depression and or anxiety with Acupuncture?Chinese Medicine does not separate physical and mental/emotional health the way we do in the West. Each body organ and function has its counterpart in the mind. The well being of the whole organism is one continuum based on the correct flow of chi. Any malfunction of a body organ has a particular effect on a patient’s mental/emotional health and vice versa. Treatments affect the mental/emotional and the physical. Is Acupuncture used during pregnancy?Acupuncture can help alleviate morning sickness and other pregnancy-related disorders. It is also used to assist and stimulate labor when appropriate and manage pain during childbirth. Our acupuncturists have specialized training in dealing with the issues specific to the pregnant patient. Does an acupuncturist ever refer a patient to other kinds of therapy?Acupuncturists and other practitioners at The Lane Center refer patients for other therapies if they think a particular patient’s condition will be benefited by another therapeutic intervention. The other therapies offered at the Center complement the practice of TCM. <Return to the top of the page> Acupuncture is effective in treating the following conditions:
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