Acupuncture

from Pamela Plank ND LAc

Chinese Medicine:

Chinese medicine has been practiced in China for over 4,000 years.  It comprises of four basic elements: acupuncture, herbs, meditative movement, and dietetics.

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is the use of very fine sterling steel needles at specific locations of the body.  The idea is that your body is like a planet with rivers of energy called “qi” (pronounced chi).  Like actual rivers the water can get dammed up or obstructed which causes pain.  Sometimes the qi can become deficient which causes fatigue or stagnant which causes ill health.  The needles are able to smooth the flow of qi within the body bringing it back into balance and health.

Will acupuncture hurt?

Not really.  Again, the needles are very fine, almost the diameter of a hair.  They are also filiform-which means that they are solid, so they don’t cut the skin.  When the needle is inserted there may be the tiniest of pricking sensation, like being bit by a mosquito.  However, when the needle enters the river of qi there is often sensation associated with it.  Some patients experience this as a shooting sensation along the river path (meridian), others experience it as a pulling sensation, and often it is a relaxing sensation.

Can I get an infection from the needles?

No.  First the area is cleansed with alcohol.  Secondly each needle is individually wrapped and sterilized.  Finally, each needle is used only once and then properly disposed of.

Chinese Herbs:

One of the most wonderful things about Chinese medicine is the meticulous notes that have been preserved over thousands of years.  Chinese herbalists have been commenting not only on specific herbs, but on the miraculous things that happen when herbs are combined into formulas.  In fact, modern Chinese herbalists still use formulas that were created over 2,000 years ago.

Meditative Movement:

The art of mindful movement is an essential piece of Chinese medicine.  This includes Tai Chi and Qi Gong, walking meditation, and while not of Chinese origin, Yoga would also fall into this category.   There is an old Chinese proverb that says “a healthy river is a flowing river”, and this applies to health as well.

Chinese Dietetics:

All forms of medicine must include healthy guidelines for food consumption.  Chinese medicine is always trying to create a balance between the elements of heat, cold, damp and dry, they apply this philosophy to eating as well.