In addition to our many other services (pain relief, spinal adjustment, corrective exercise, lifestyle & nutritional counseling, spinal & postural screenings and Physiotherapy) we also offer acupuncture.
ACUPUNCTURE
As a patient in this office you have embarked upon an entirely new approach to health. Since our procedures are so different from conventional health care, this page has been prepared to help you better understand one of these procedures that are available to you.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a 5,000 year old system of healing which originated in China. It is concerned with proper energy flow to the various organs, glands and tissues of the body on the premise that most diseases are the result of malfunction due to disrupted energetics.
What Kind of Energy?
This is difficult to answer because the properties of this energy are not fully understood. We do know that it is the life force within your body. It is that force that is present in a living body and is gone when that body is no longer living. We know that this energy is partly electromagnetic since it has been measured with very sensitive volt meters, but there are components of this energy which we will probably never understand. However, a complete understanding is not essential to our application of acupuncture. We all utilize electricity every day; yet even electrical engineers cannot fully explain it.
How is this Disturbance in Energy Flow Detected in the Patient?
By many methods, including certain signs, symptoms, pain spots, organ reflex points, meridian reflex points and by pulse or instrument findings.
Where does this Interruption of Energy Occur?
In either or both of two locations: (1) In the channels of energy flow, which are called meridians, located throughout the body just beneath the surface of the skin. (2) In the spinal column where vertebrae may become misaligned, thereby compressing vital nerve roots.
What is Excessive 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 through the body and may "back up" in some part of the body where it is not needed. 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, then another part must have a deficiency of energy. The deficiency will be registered as malfunction in that part of the body.
Can You Give Me an Example That I Can Understand?
Let me say it this way. Suppose you go out to start your car some morning when the temperature is around zero. Assuming that your car is in good condition there will be enough electricity (energy) in the battery to start it. If, however, you turn on the lights, honk the horn, push in the lighter and turn on the radio all at the same time and expect the ignition to work, your car may not start. The amount of energy to the starter may be deficient because the drain of energy to the horn, radio, lights, etc. was excessive. The energy was not only misdirected but it was also used without regard to priority.
Assuming That I Am Going to Take Acupuncture Treatments, How Are they Performed?
First the related skin points are determined. Then they are appropriately treated by any one of over thirty methods of stimulation, some of which are: (1) Long needle insertion (especially done for acupuncture anesthesia for surgery) (2) Short needle penetration (3) Non-piercing needles (4) Finger tip pressure (called shishin or "finger needles") (5) Metallic balls taped to the points (6) Electrical stimulation (7) Moxabustion (the burning of herbs over the points). At this clinic we have found that short needle insertion and electrical stimulation work the best.
How Soon Can I expect Results?
This will depend a lot on what is in top priority. I am not hedging, just telling you how it works. I am sure that you will agree that this is reasonable. For example, if you come to me with back pain, the speed with which you will respond depends on how healthy you are generally, that is, aside from the back pain. If you have a serious heart condition or ulcer, more than likely your body is going to direct its attention to repairing the heart or stomach rather than be concerned about the back pain. You see, no one ever died of back pain (even though you sometimes think you are going to), but if your heart or stomach quits, the back pain would be of no significance anyway.
Out of, Say, 10 Patients Accepted for Acupuncture Health Care, How Many Usually Respond Favorably?
On the average, eight. Two out of ten fail to respond satisfactorily for a variety of reasons. Advance age, severity of the condition, irreversible tissue damage, etc, are deterrents to recovery.
Are There Other Causes of Disease Besides Interference With Transmission of Energy flow?
Yes, of course. Psychosomatic states, hereditary factors, poisons, adverse environmental conditions, injury, germs. Malnutrition, etc. are all disease producing.
What Are Some of the Conditions Commonly Treated by Acupuncture?
Textbook listed conditions run into the hundreds. Typical ailments usually responding to acupuncture health care include neuralgias, headache, trigeminal neuralgia, tics, spasms, muscular rheumatism, neuralgia of the shoulders and arm, ulcers, stomach problems, diarrhea, hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, coughs, certain types of heart trouble, abnormal blood pressure, hemorrhoids, lumbago, bladder irritation, bed wetting, certain kidney problems, female disorders, impotence, weak eyesight, hay fever, loss of smell, tonsillitis, loss of hearing, skin conditions, and even nervous and Psychiatric factors based on the fact that often mental problems arise from physical disorders.
The above list may seem long as though acupuncture were a panacea. The truth is that most textbooks list over two hundred diseases.
Please be mindful of the fact that acupuncture is not like one drug used for one condition, but on the contrary, it is a complete healing art within itself. It is concerned with the systems of the body such as nervous, circulatory, digestive, respiratory, reproductive, hormonal, musculoskeletal, etc. and seeks to correct health problems within those systems.
Dr. Chris Blackmon is certified by the State of Arkansas to practice acupuncture. Please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment if you want further information about acupuncture.
