Articles
Acupuncture Myths
Myth: You must be Chinese or Asian to practice Chinese medicine
Fact: Around 18,000 traditional Chinese medicine practitioners exist in the U.S.The vast majority of these are non-asian. Chinese medicine is a system of medicine based on highly organized and finite body of knowledge. It makes no difference as to your racial background as to one's ability to learn and practice Chinese medicine. We can trace Western medicine back to it's roots in ancient Greece. Does this mean that only Greeks can practice Western medicine?
Myth: Chinese medicine is religious based and goes against my Judeo Christian belief.
Fact: All medicine from all cultures, if traced back far enough, originated from the shamans and spiritual leaders of that particular group of people. The healer was often the spiritual leaders of that clan. However, as humankind evolved medicine emerged as a science not a religion. This holds true with Chinese medicine as well. Modern professional Chinese medicine (TCM) is not practiced as it was 2000 years ago. It is a product of the Peoples Republic of China. The refinement of TCM by the PRC over the past 50 years has removed Eastern spiritualism from the mix.
Myth: Acupuncture is best performed by a physician (MD).
Fact: Physicians performing acupuncture have little if any training. Referred to as "medical acupuncture" they only need 200 hours of training to be a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. Of the 200 hours only 80 hours of clinical training is required. Licensed acupuncturists (L.Ac.) have several years of extensive training in the complete system of Chinese medicine of which acupuncture is just one modality. Before sitting for the California state board exam, several thousand hours of classroom and clinical training are completed.
Myth: Acupuncture is only for pain
Fact: Since the early 1970's many studies have revealed acupuncture's ability to relieve pain. Because of this fact, the established medical community stereotyped acupuncture as a treatment only for pain. Those who studied and practiced modern Chinese medicine knew otherwise. The Consensus Statement released by the National Institute of Health in 1997 recognized the efficacy of acupuncture for more than just pain relief and recommended further study. Since then the World Health Organization has listed more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture treatment may be appropriate.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Practitioners of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have used this noninvasive medical system to diagnose and help millions of people get well and stay healthy.
An acupuncturist will place fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body. This activates the body's Qi and promotes natural healing by enhancing recuperative power, physical and emotional health.
it can also improve overall function and well-being. It is safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
What Can Affect Qi?
Many things influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi and other TCM holistic parameters to cause an illness. . Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, diet, accidents or excessive activity , toxins and drugs, chronic diseases can lead to a imbalance of Qi.
Normally, when this imbalance occurs, the body naturally bounces back, returning to a balanced state of health and well-being. When there is a disruption of ones Qi level that is prolonged, it causes the body to become weak. Ultimately illness, pain or disease can set in.
What Is Qi and how does it travel?
What is Qi and How does It Travel?
Although TCM has many medical concepts and principles, we will just discuss the concept of Qi in this article. At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced "chee"), or Life Energy, flows throughout the body. Qi helps animate the body and protect it from illness, pain and disease. A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.
Qi circulates through specific pathways called meridians. There are 14 main meridian pathways throughout the body. Each is connected to specific organs and glands. Meridian pathways are like rivers. Where a river flows, it transports life-giving water that nourishes the land, plants and people. In the same way meridian pathways transport life-giving Qi to nourish and energize every cell, organ, gland,tissue and muscle.
When Qi flows freely throughout the body, one enjoys good physical, mental and emotional well-being. An obstruction to the Qi anywhere in the body is like a dam, backing up the flow in one area and restricting it in others. This blockage can hinder the distribution of the nourishment that the body requires to function normally. Beside blockages, other abnormalities of Qi may be a deficienty, excess, scatterd, rebellous, etc.
First Visit
What Will My Chinese Medicine Practitioner Do?
During the initial exam a full health history will be taken. Questions will be asked regarding symptoms, health and lifestyle. Your practitioner will check your pulses and your tongue and may palpate acupuncture points on your body. Other observations of face, hands, and feet will be made. This information is then organized to create a complete, accurate and comprehensive diagnosis of where Qi has become blocked or imbalanced. Your TCM practitioner will then develop a treatment plan which may be composed of one or more of the many branches of TCM, i.e., acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, medicated diet therapy, qi gong, etc. The initial intake, diagnosis and treatment may last from thirty to 60 minutes.