Does Acupuncture Relieve Pain?
	New Study Finds Acupuncture May Curb Severity of Hot Flashes

The Top 8 Reasons To Try Acupuncture

1. Acupuncturists view each person as a dynamic and holistic being. Every atom, cell, tissue, and organ is interrelated and interconnected, functioning as an integrated whole.
2. Acupuncture helps to awaken and energize the self-healing and regenerating capacity of the body.
3. Acupuncture can used as preventative medicine.
4. Acupuncture can help support and strengthen the immune system.
5. Acupuncture can assist with drug recovery, alcohol addiction and quitting smoking.
6. Acupuncture can treated over 50 western medical diseased, disorders and symptoms, including pain, arthritis, infertility, headaches and allergies.
7. Acupuncture has treated billions of people over the past 2,500 years.
8. Acupuncture works!

If you want to get to the root of the problem and understand how this ancient and effective medical modality can help you, give us a call at 770-736 3121.  We're here to help.

Understanding Acupuncture

Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. As part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture aims to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points on the body. In the United States, where practitioners incorporate healing traditions from China and other Asian countries, acupuncture is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

The term "acupuncture" describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.

Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. The concept of two opposing yet complementary forces described in traditional Chinese medicine. Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians.  There are14 main channels "connecting the body in a web-like interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 acupuncture points.

In 1997, acupuncture needles were reclassified from "experimental" to "medical device" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The National Institutes of Health released a consensus statement in the same year endorsing acupuncture for the treatment of a variety of conditions such as post-operative pain, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome (see the list below).

Acupuncture is one of the best known of the alternative therapies. The FDA estimates that people in the United States spend more than $500 million annually on acupuncture treatments. Many people have insurance coverage for acupuncture.

How Acupuncture Works

Acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:

• Promotion of health and well-being
• Prevention of illness
• Treatment of various medical conditions

It stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins; Influences the release of neurotransmitters, substances that transmit nerve impulses to the brain; influences the autonomic nervous system; stimulates circulation, influences the electrical currents of the body.

Conditions Treated By Acupuncture

• Migraines and tension headaches
• Sinusitis
• Common cold
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Meniere's disease
• Tennis/golf elbow
• Sciatica
• Arthritis
• Senstrual cramps
• Fibromyalgia
• low back pain
• Asthma
• Weight loss
• Infertility
• Pain management
• Frozen shoulder
• Stress/tension/sleep disorder
• Stroke
• Fatigue
• Knee pain
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Paralysis/numbness
• Parkinson’s syndrome
• Gaut

What a Typical Acupuncture Treatment is Like

Before the initial appointment, clients usually complete a health history questionnaire. The acupuncturist then interviews the client, asking about his or her primary health concern, lifestyle habits, diet, emotions, menstrual cycle, sleep, temperature, appetite, stress, and sensitivity to foods, and temperature. During the interview, the acupuncturist examines the client carefully, noting his or her face color, voice, and tongue color and coating. There are also three pulse points at the wrist of each hand that the acupuncturist will assess to further determine the health of the 12 meridians.

After the interview, the acupuncturist gives a diagnosis and begins treatment. Typically, the acupuncturist will use 6-15 needles during the treatment. The number of needles used does not correspond with the intensity of the treatment, rather it is the precise placement of the needles that is important.

Upon insertion, the client may feel a slight sting or prick. Once the needle is inserted, there should be no pain. You should feel comfortable and relaxed during the treatment.

Treatment length varies from seconds to longer than one hour. The typical length is about 20 to 30 minutes. The acupuncturist may use the following techniques to enhance the treatment:

• Moxibustion - heating of acupoints with dried herb sticks to activate and warm the point. Also known as "moxa".
• Cupping - the application of glass cups to create a suction on the skin. This is to relieve stagnation of qi and blood.
• Herbal medicine - Chinese herbs may be given in the form of teas, pills, and capsules to supplement acupuncture treatment.
• Electrostimulation - provides electrical stimulation to two to four acupuncture needles. Can be used for pain relief and muscle pain.

Are there any side effects to the treatment?

Usually not.  As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place.  Occasionally the original symptoms worsen for a few days, or other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be triggered.  These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work.  It is quite common with the first one or two treatments to have a sensation or deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following the treatment.  These will pass within a short time, and never require anything more than a bit of rest to overcome.

How should I prepare?

• Come with any questions you have - we are here to help you.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to acupuncture points.
• Don't eat large meals just  before or after your visit.
• Avoid stressful situations.  Make time to relax, and be sure to get plenty of rest.
• Between visits, take notes of any changes that may have occurred, such as the alleviation of pain, pain moving toother areas, or changes in the frequency and type of problems.

 
How safe is acupuncture?
 
Acupuncture is extremely safe.  It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects except feelings of relaxation and well-being.  There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and then discarded.
 
Is acupuncture safe for children?
 
Yes! In some instances children actually respond more quickly than adults.  If your child has an aversion to needles, massage the acupuncture points may apply.
 
Will my insurance cover acupuncture?
 
Insurance coverage varies from state to state.  Contact your insurance provider to learn what kind of care is covered.  Here are a few questions to ask:
 

• Will my plan cover acupuncture?
• How many visits per calendar year?
• Do I need a referral?
• Do I have a co-pay?
• Do I have a deductible? If yes, has it been meet?

 
What type of schooling do acupuncturists get?
 
Today, acupuncturists receive 4 years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools.  All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state.


Acupuncture and IVF
 
Recently several female patients came to my clinic seeking help with acupuncture treatments before their IVF procedure. They all know more or less that acupuncture can significantly raise the successful rate of IVF but they don’t know specifically how and why acupuncture works for this situation. Here I’d like to spend sometime to share the following information with the potential patients who might need the same help.
 
In clinical observation, the ultrasound shows that. After acupuncture, the color of women’s ovaries change from cloudy to bright and clear. The follicles usually double in number, the lining of the uterus becomes thicker, and the number of embryos increases significantly. Patients experience less side effects from the Western drugs and feel more at ease and happy. For male patients, the semen quality significantly improves and the sperm number greatly increases. In brief, Chinese medicine can help to improve the success rate of IVF in a number of ways:

• Improve the function of the ovaries to produce better quality eggs
• Regulate the hormones to produce a larger number of follicles
• Increase blood flow to the uterus and increase the thickness of the uterine lining
• Relax the patient and decrease their stress
• Prevent the uterus from contracting
• Lessen the side effects of drugs used in IVF
• Strengthen the immune system
• Improve semen to create better quality and quantity of embryos
• Decrease chances of miscarriage

Acupuncture Preparation Before IVF

Approximately three months prior to the IVF procedure, it is recommended that the patient receive acupuncture and herbal treatments to regulate the body’s functions and make IVF more successful. Sometimes after just these three months, the patient regains a normal menstrual cycle and is able to become pregnant naturally.During the three months preparation time, the main objectives of Acupuncture are to:

Improve the function of the ovaries

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help improve ovaries function, allowing for development of better quality eggs and strong, healthy embryos. Chinese herbs can also regulate estrogen and progesterone levels, thereby thickening the lining of the uterus. Research indicates increased blood flow to the uterus can help promote follicular development and implantation of the embryo.Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help ovaries respond better to the stimulation drugs by producing more follicles and good quality eggs. Many patients using IVF alone are only able to produce a few follicles. Based on clinical experience, we estimate that acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help the ovaries at least double the number of follicles as well as enhance the embryo’s quality and quantity.
High FSH levels indicate poor ovarian function. Chinese herbs and acupuncture is able to help decrease the FSH levels by regulating the hormones and function of the ovaries. A high number may suggest the lack of ovulation as hormones continue to increase to stimulate the ovaries to work harder.

Strengthen the immune system & reduce stress

Approximately half of chemical pregnancies miscarry. Therefore, one of the key treatment strategies is to strengthen the patient’s immune system through acupuncture and herbs.
 
Many patients using IVF drugs experience side effects and high levels of stress associated with trying to get pregnant. Acupuncture is extremely helpful in reducing stress and alleviating side effects, which helps the patient be calmer and more at ease. Relaxing the patient helps prevent the uterus from contracting, thereby improving the implantation process and preventing miscarriage.

Improve semen quality & quantity

Sperm maturation is a process taking between 70-90 days. It is also beneficial for male patients to prepare for IVF. Chinese herbs and acupuncture can help male patients improve the quality and quantity of sperm and improve the overall quality of the semen. This, in turn, increases the chances of creating a healthy and viable embryo as well as assists in a more secure implantation.
 
The source of the above information is mainly from Dr. Lifang Liang’s book. I hope it will give you a better understanding of how acupuncture and Chinese herbs work for the patients who plan to have IVF done. Thank you for your reading.