 |  | 
What is Acupuncture?  |
| Acupuncture is a form of treatment and health maintenance known as meridian therapy. It is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of healing that dates back at least 4000 years. At the core of TCM is the concept that a type of life force or bio-electrical energy known as Qi (pronounced "chee") flows through channels in the body called meridians. Each meridian is connected to one specific organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily functions. When there’s too much or too little Qi in any meridian or when the Qi stagnates or is blocked, illness results. Acupuncture treatment consists of inserting thin stainless steel needles at various points on the body known as gateways, to unblock or rebalance the flow of Qi. This allows the body to function more normally and heal itself. Acupuncture not only induces energy shifts, but also triggers neurological, vascular, chemical, muscular and other kinds of changes in the body. A variation of this procedure uses micro-amperage electrical current to stimulate the gateway points superficially (electroacupuncture). |
| |
| What should I expect during an acupuncture treatment? |
The doctor will ask numerous questions regarding the onset of the problem, the nature of any pain, when the symptoms are at its worst, and any previous health conditions. If needle acupuncture is to be performed, the doctor will swab the area with an antiseptic. The prepackaged, pre-sterilized, disposable needles are then prepared. As the needles are inserted you will most likely not feel them at all, or you may feel a twitch or a momentary twinge of pain (much like a mosquito bite) that subsides within seconds. Once the needles are all in place, you will rest for a brief period. At the end of the session, the doctor will quickly remove the needles, which is painless. If electroacupuncture is to be performed, a small micro current generator will be prepared. The micro-current will be applied to the surface of the skin at the meridian points using two small Q-tip applicators. During this treatment you may feel a slight tingling sensation directly under the applicators. |
| How many treatments will I need? |
The number of acupuncture treatments needed depends on the complexity of your illness, whether it is a chronic or recent condition, and your general state of health. For example, you may need only a handful of treatments for a recent sprain, whereas for a long-standing, chronic illness, you may need treatments once or twice a week for several weeks or months to get good results. |
| |
| Are there conditions that should not be treated with acupuncture? |
|
Since acupuncture, like chiropractic, helps the body function properly to heal itself, virtually every condition known to man can be helped with acupuncture. The doctor may chose not to treat certain points during pregnancy. However, even during pregnancy there are a number of benefits that can be obtained from acupuncture. |
| What qualifications does my doctor have? |
Doctor Heller has received a "Fellowship" certification from the Acupuncture Society of America. This means that he has completed 100 hours of "in class" and practical study as well as passing a written examination on the history, philosophy and practice of acupuncture in the treatment of human diseases. This is in addition to the thorough health sciences background he received through his chiropractic education. |
| |
| What can acupuncture help? |
Acupuncture is known to be very effective for pain relief. In addition, both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be a helpful part of a treatment plan for many illnesses.
A partial list follows:
Respiratory Problems
Acute sinusitis
Acute rhinitis
Common cold
Acute tonsillitis
Acute bronchitis
Bronchial asthma
Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Carpel tunnel syndrome
Stroke rehabilitation
Headache and migraine
Trigeminal neuralgia
Facial palsy 
Loss of sensation following stroke
Peripheral neuropathies
Post polio syndrome
Meniere's disease
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
Bed wetting
Intercostal neuralgia
Neck and shoulder pain
"Frozen shoulder"
"Tennis elbow"
Sciatica
Low back pain
Osteoarthritis
Addictions
Smoking
Drugs
Food
Disorders of the Eye
Acute eye inflammation
Central retinitis
Myopia (in children)
Cataract (without complications)
Disorders of the Mouth
Toothache, post extraction pain
Gingivitis
Acute and chronic sore throat
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Spastic colon
Spasms of esophagus and cardia
Hiccup
Acute and chronic gastritis
Excess stomach acid
Acute & chronic duodenal ulcer
Acute and chronic colitis
Acute bacterial dysentery
Constipation
Diarrhea
Paralytic ileus
Gynecologic Conditions
Irregular periods
Menopausal symptoms
Menstrual cramps
This is only a sampling of the list, Chinese acupuncture texts recognize over 2,000 conditions which can be helped with acupuncture/meridian therapy. |
|
| |
|
|
