There are three questions I am asked about acupuncture. Is it painful? Does it really work? And will it work for my condition? With so many unanswered questions it’s not surprising that 3/4 of the country is taking pharmaceuticals for symptoms that could greatly benefit from a couple of thin, barely noticeable needles, placed in strategic locations (i.e. acupuncture).
I recently spoke to a group of UCLA medical students on the topic of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. Their reluctance to fully accept this odd, yet popular, science hinged on one thing – research. UCLA is one of the best and most progressive medical schools in the country, and one of the few that teaches acupuncture. Unfortunately, the perceived lack of acupuncture research persists even here. The fact is that many aspects of acupuncture are well understood by science and the proof has been documented in hundreds of publications in leading Western journals. The most thoroughly researched and widely accepted benefits of acupuncture come from the release of endorphins, serotonin and cortisol.
What does this mean to you? These bio-chemicals are needed for pain relief, a good mood, sleep regulation and the ability to deal with stress. Now, if there were a pill that could benefit pain, depression, insomnia and the unrelenting stress of our modern lives wouldn’t it be flying off the shelves?
The second common misconception about acupuncture is that it hurts. Breaking news! Acupuncture is much less painful than a facial or, God-forbid, a waxing. However, there are a couple of caveats. First, there are different styles of acupuncture. The Chinese and Korean styles are more intense, in comparison to the very subtle Japanese style. Western acupuncturists tend toward the middle. I use mild to moderate intensity with my patients. Acupuncture is like water temperature; moderation is comfortable, extremes may accomplish the goal faster, but do not make for a relaxing experience. The middle path is always harmonious. With acupuncture there is sensation, but it is rarely considered pain. The sensations experienced with acupuncture can be described as dullness, ache, numbness and warmth. These sensations can be felt in the area of the needle or may radiate to other areas. Any sharp sensations, a rare occurrence, are not the desired effect and they tend to abate within seconds. Once the needles are placed, you begin to feel increasingly relaxed as the opiate-like endorphins and mood-elevating serotonin take over. You may not realize the amount of stress that is considered normal until you float out of the treatment room in a pleasant post-acupuncture daze.
Now that you know acupuncture is supported by mountains of research for pain and stress relief and you know that acupuncture does not hurt, the last question is: Will it work for your condition?
To answer the question “What is acupuncture good for?” we need to keep in mind the Holistic approach (i.e. think like a Taoist). The approach of Oriental medicine is to recognize that each problem has a branch (symptom) and a root (underlying imbalance). For example, allergies are a symptom. A doctor can treat the symptom of allergies with a natural or prescription antihistamine, but that does not address the underlying imbalance. The root, in this case, may be a congested liver, a weak or overactive immune system, a compromised digestive tract, etc. If the underlying imbalance is not addressed the symptom will continue to reappear.
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are designed to address both the symptom and the underlying imbalance. When a root imbalance is corrected, the result is often improvement in multiple symptoms that may seem unrelated. By addressing the root imbalance a new level of health can be achieved.
These are the conditions that have been treated most successfully with acupuncture:
General: Allergies, Asthma, Sinusitis, Headaches, TMJ, Back Pain, Sciatica, Musculoskeletal Problems, Insomnia, Anxiety, Dizziness, Depression, High Blood Pressure, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Addictions, Indigestion, Constipation, Sexual Dysfunction, Post-Operative Recovery, Palliative Care.
Women's Health: Menstrual Irregularities, Menopause, Conception Difficulties, Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation Difficulties, Postpartum, Ovarian and Uterine Problems.
Men's Health: Prostate, Infertility, Impotence.
Preventative Health: Prevention, Stress Management, Wellness, Seasonal Attunement.
The bottom line is that doctors should be handing out a lot more prescriptions for acupuncture and a lot less for Celebrex™, Vioxx™, Prozac™, Lexapro™, Ambien™ and Lunesta™. The best part of acupuncture is that it has no side effects. It does, however, make your mind quiet, your body relaxed and your spirit more at peace with the world around you.
This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat or diagnose any health condition.