I wrote this little introduction to acupuncture to try and dispel some peoples fear of acupuncture. So many people could benefit greatly and find real relief from serious pain if only they would try it. Yet I meet people all the time who let an irrational fear of needles or other peoples negative ideas stop them from trying.
Acupuncture is one of the best known modalities within the scope of Alternative medicine. The reason for this is probably that acupuncture successfully treats almost every known malady we humans suffer from. Every thing from pain due to injury, neck, shoulder, back and knee pain, menstrual problems, addiction to smoking and drugs, infections, allergies and asthma and the common cold. This is only a partial list but you probably get the idea.
Acupuncture is performed by puncturing the skin in very specific places (called acupuncture points) with very thin needles. If the thought of this makes you feel faint then take heart. It does not hurt. Most people do not even feel the needles go in. Acupuncture takes several years to learn and is controlled by the state like any other form of medicine. The needles are sterilized, single use, and are disposed of after use. So you really do not have to worry about infection. In my over 10 years of doing acupuncture I have never heard of anyone of my colleagues causing an infection.
Typically an acupuncture treatment takes one hour. The acupuncturist may take your pulse and look at your tongue as well as ask you lots of questions about the reason you have come to see him or her. After an evaluation the treatment begins. You can expect any where from 2 to 12 needles to be used. If that sounds like allot you can take it from an expert its not. Remember you generally feel very little if anything. What most people do feel is pleasantly relaxed.
If you come to an acupuncturist with pain it is logical that you should feel better when you leave. You should not be sent home with a prescription to hopefully feel better in a week as often happens during a doctors visit. Most often you will leave feeling significantly better than when you came. Your acupuncturist should be able to give you an idea how long your recovery should take.
Some times the acupuncturist will follow the actual acupuncture with other alternative methods of treatment like massage, stretching or other traditional Chinese treatments. These are usually very pleasant and really augment the main treatment. Finally, many acupuncturists also prescribe herbs and supplements. While you can always refuse these are usually a direct extension of their treatment. Chinese herbalogy like acupuncture is known to have been practised as long as 4000 years ago. These methods are still around because they work really well and they are very safe. I can not encourage you strongly enough to give this age old method a serious try.
