A Beginner’s Guide to Acupuncture

Mar 21

Sure, you may think it’s “trendy.” Acupuncture seems to be the latest fad for Western medicine.

In actuality, there’s nothing new about the art—and science—of acupuncture. It’s been around for centuries, rooted in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Societies around the world, particularly in Asia, have routinely offered acupuncture. In America and other Western countries, acupuncture is only now starting to garner the attention and respect we believe it deserves.

There’s a lot of information—and misinformation—out there about acupuncture, so we wanted to set the record straight and provide our beginner’s guide to acupuncture. If this useful information doesn’t answer all your questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll be happy to speak with you.

What is acupuncture?

The image of someone lying on a table with needles in his or her back is probably the first picture that came to your mind. True, our patients are on treatment tables while we insert extremely fine, thin needles into certain points. But this doesn’t do acupuncture justice, and it tells you nothing about the science behind our methods.

In short, acupuncture works by getting your body to produce all the good stuff that it’s supposed to produce under normal, healthy operation that keeps your body strong, healthy and functioning optimally. This includes things like your body’s own natural anti-inflammatory substances, painkillers, and immune cells.

But not only does it get all that good stuff into your bloodstream, acupuncture also opens up the flow of blood to areas that aren’t working the way they should be so that all that good stuff can get to where it needs to go.

Before you ask, we’ll answer — no, the needles don’t hurt. Most patients even report a tingling or warming sensation.

Who invented acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been around for centuries, and unlike the X-ray or the microscope, it’s hard to pin down (pardon the pun) exactly who invented it. In actuality, there was probably no one “inventor,” but rather generations of practitioners who perfected their art, recorded it, and passed down their knowledge to the next generation.

Here’s what we do know:

The oldest evidence of Chinese acupuncture was recorded on bone etchings dating from 1600 BC. Archeologists have also discovered small slivers of stone that may have been used for acupuncture.

What conditions are treated with acupuncture?

Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of conditions including (but not limited to):

Pain (both chronic and acute)
Infertility
Anxiety & Depression
Digestive Disorders
Allergies
Headaches
Painful or Irregular Menstruation
Menopausal Symptoms
Insomnia
Fibromyalgia
Fatigue & Low Energy

How safe is acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years, and it is a safe treatment alternative to many of the conditions listed above provided the acupuncture is delivered by a qualified, licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture does not have the side effects associated with many prescription medicines and painkillers.

Know your acupuncturist!

Be sure you have an acupuncturist who has the credentials to back up his or her claims. Having a competent, experienced professional is crucial so you can get the most out of your treatment.

We take pride in the fact that at Connecticut Family Acupuncture, we have extensive certifications and thousands of hours of clinical experience. When entrusting someone with your health, you should expect nothing less!

Sometimes, it’s hard to put your finger on what makes a practice special. While qualifications are certainly at the top of a priority list, we also excel in some of the more intangible aspects of treatment. We have a staff that is down-to-earth. We go out of our way to make our patients comfortable, including use of special infrared heating pads. These pads help increase circulation, promoting a calm, comfortable feeling.

What you need to know during your first acupuncture appointment

We know you have questions. That’s why we’ve provided this detailed article on what to expect the first time you see an acupuncturist. You may also want to check out some of our answers to frequently asked questions about acupuncture.

Relax!

It’s so easy to get caught up in the whys and hows of acupuncture that you forget the most basic principle: relax! So many of our patients report that their treatment is a relaxing and comforting experience. We’d love to help you realize the benefits of this as well.

Please contact us for more information. You’ll be glad you did.

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Connecticut Family Acupuncture is dedicated to helping as many people as possible realize their optimum health naturally, without the use of pharmaceutical or surgical interventions. We are committed to our patients and utilize our extensive knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine to address each individual’s health concerns. Connecticut Family Acupuncture has offices in Bolton. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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