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Acupuncture

As a patient in this office you have embarked on an entirely new approach to health. Acupuncture may be new to you, but in fact, it is a 5000 year old system of healing which originated in China. The correct name for acupuncture is Meridian Therapy or Ching Lo Chi Liao in Chinese. It was named acupuncture in the 16th century by Portuguese sailors because of the puncturing of the skin with needles. Dr. Blackmon was one of the first physicians in the state of Arkansas to bring acupuncture to his patients. He received his certification to practice acupuncture in 1979 when many in the medical field were calling it "voodoo". Today, acupuncture is on the leading edge of "alternative Medicine". The Blackmon Chiropractic Clinic boasts a total of 30 years combined experience in acupuncture. All physicians in our clinic are certified by the state of Arkansas to practice acupuncture.


Just how does acupuncture work?

No one knows for sure. We do know that it deals with proper energy(Qi pronounced Chi) flow to the various organs and tissues of the body. It is generally accepted that many diseases are the result of a disruption of this energy.

Tell me more about this energy
The properties of this energy are not fully understood. We do know that it is the life force within your body. It is the force that is present in a living body and gone when that body is no longer living. We know that this energy is partly electromagnetic since it has been measured with very sensitive voltmeters, but there are components of this energy which we will probably never fully understand.

Where does this interruption of energy flow occur?
In either or both of two locations. In the channels of energy flow just beneath the surface of the skin, which are called meridians and in the spinal column where misaligned vertebrae affect the nerves exiting the spine. Acupuncture corrects the former and chiropractic corrects the latter thereby restoring "homeostasis" (an organisms internal ability to maintain normal body states).

What is excess or deficient energy?
Your body has exactly the right amount of energy to function at maximum efficiency. Occasionally some of this energy may be blocked as it flows throughout the body and may back up in some part of the body. Here it becomes excess energy and is usually registered as pain. Since there is just enough energy to go around, if one part has an excess amount of energy then another must have a deficiency of energy. The deficiency will cause a malfunction in that part of the body.

How are acupuncture treatments performed?
First, specific acupuncture points on the skin are determined for your particular problem. Then they are appropriately treated by inserting an acupuncture needle into each point. The needles are so small that there is no pain nor bleeding when it is inserted. We also use pre-sterilized, disposable needles(use them one time and throw them away) so there is no danger of contracting any type of disease.

How soon can I expect some results?
This will depend upon you. Every person is different. Some deterrents to recovery are advanced age, severity of the condition, the length of time you have had the problem, irreversible tissue damage and other health problems (diabetes, etc.) to name a few. We initially schedule a series of twelve treatments. At the end of that treatment we will reevaluate your condition and make the decision to continue treatment or not based upon your response.