Acupuncture

We at Gateway Chiropractic feel that acupuncture is a great adjunct in addition to manipulation and other therapeutic modalities in relation to treating certain conditions.  

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art that originated in the Far East centuries ago. The earliest written record of acupuncture is found in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic published around 500B.C.  Acupuncture has been part of oriental medicine for over 5000 years and has spread to Europe and the Americas. 

Interest in acupuncture has grown in the US since the early 1970s when President Nixon visited China.

How Does Acupuncture Work? 

Acupuncture’s purpose is to promote and encourage natural healing processes and improve bodily functions.    Treatment is done with needles or other stimulating forms at specific and precise acupuncture points on the body. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine describes energy channels flowing  in specific and regular patterns throughout the body.   These channels are called meridians that if blocked cause dysfunction, resulting in pain and/or illness.  Points along the meridians have reflexive actions and acupuncture to these points help restore normal function. 

The western scientific approach reasons that needling of the meridians stimulates nerves causing reflexive reactions in the muscles, nerves, spinal cord and brain.  These reactions can cause the release of the body’s own chemicals that regulate pain and body functions.

Do the Needles Hurt?

Different people describe acupuncture treatments in different ways.  The needles used at Gateway Chiropractic are single use and individually wrapped.  They are solid and small in diameter producing much less damage than hypodermic needles used for injections and withdrawals.  They are not coated and do not contain any medications or chemicals.  If you are still apprehensive about needles, there are alternatives; ask your doctor.

What can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture is becoming a more mainstream therapy for a variety of conditions.  Pain control has been most helped with acupuncture and a number of studies herald its use.  Acupuncture has also been shown to help in addiction disorders such as nicotine abuse and eating disorders.  The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Neurological and muscular problems, headaches, neck pain, rib pain, frozen shoulder, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), tendinitits, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthirits.
• Other health problems such as digestive issues, sinusitis, constipation, diarrhea and others. 

What are the Risks of Acupuncture?

We at Gateway Chiropractic utilize sterile, individually packaged, single-use needles.  The needles are used one time and then are disposed of safely.  Clean Needle Technique procedure are used in all cases.

Occasionally a patient may experience a reaction to the needles.  Symptoms may worsen at first.  Appetite, sleep, or bodily functions may be affected.  These indications may demonstrate that the acupuncture treatments are working.  Serious complications are extremely rare.

 Ask your doctor if you have any specific concerns or questions.

How Long Does Treatment Last?

As with any procedure, treatment schedule depends on individual progress and compliance with recommendations.  Chronic conditions may require 1-2 treatments weekly over several months.  Acute problems usually require fewer visits.  For health maintenance, a few sessions yearly may suffice.  Each session may last 30 minutes or more, depending on the problem.