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1. How does it feel? Does it hurt?
2. What kind of needles are used?
3. Why does acupuncture not bleed?
4. How does acupuncture work?
5. What conditions does it work on?
6. What are the risks?
7. Are there precautions before or after treatment?
8. How long is a treatment session? How long is a treatment program?
How does it feel? Does it hurt?
In a word, no. The insertion of the acupuncture needles into the skin does not cause a pricking or stabbing pain that people generally fear. This is because the needles are so fine and the insertion is very quick.
There are sensations that one must feel during acupuncture treatment. Traditionally, the purpose of the needles is to deqi or “achieve the qi.” The qi sensation varies in different persons, on different points, under different conditions, at different times. The qi sensation is classically described as “swelling, throbbing, heaviness, aching, flowing, crawling, warmth, or coolness.” Many also liken the sensation of qi to a current, like the flow of water to the ancients, or like electricity to the modern mindset.
It is important to relate to your doctor the sensation of your qi, since this also guides the doctor in diagnosis and treatment.
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What kind of needles are used?
In the modern practice of medical acupuncture, the needles used are sterilized, single-use, stainless steel needles. The gauge of acupuncture needles range from #28 to #36; in simple terms, they are so fine, ten of them can fit in the bore of a common syringe needle. Lengths vary from 0.5 inch to 3.0 inches, depending on the point for insertion.
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Why does acupuncture not bleed?
For the simple reason that many acupuncture points are also located on areas with no major blood vessels, and the doctor purposely avoids any visible blood vessels. Even if the needle unavoidably punctures a blood vessel, the bleeding and bruising is minimal.That being said, there are acupuncture techniques that purposely cause bleeding or produce bruising. The doctor will be sure to explain to you beforehand if such a procedure is to be done.
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How does acupuncture work?
The explanation in traditional Chinese medicine is that the insertion of needles in specific points of the body regulates the flow of qi, the vital force of the entire body. With the steady, balanced flow of the qi, health and all vital functions of the body are in harmony.
And how does modern science translate this? Some acupuncture points and channels (where) the qi flows parallel (but not equate) the nervous system pathways, and some explain that acupuncture stimulates regulatory neural responses. Some acupuncture points have been proven to release of endorphins, hormones, and other biochemical substances that in turn trigger an immune response or other physiological reactions. Some points stimulate an inflammatory response, which leads to cell growth, tissue repair, and other natural healing responses.All in all, most points have effects that are a combination of these mechanisms, while some points have effects that cannot yet be explained by modern science. This however does not negate the fact that acupuncture is effective in a broad number of medical conditions.
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What conditions does it work on?
The World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, and health systems of other nations have various listings of the medical conditions that have proven to be effectively treated with acupuncture. But these are by no mean exhaustive, as the Chinese have traditionally used acupuncture in the treatment of almost all medical conditions.Acupuncture and other therapies of Chinese Medicine focus on the maintenance of health and prevention of disease. As such, acupuncture is used for promotion of wellbeing, relief of stress, and more importantly, early treatment of disease conditions before they are full blown.
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What are the risks?
One reason why acupuncture has easily crossed over to mainstream medicine is that risks related to acupuncture are minimal. Risk of infection is almost nil, more so with modern sterilization procedures. Risk of puncturing vital organs or tissue is minimal with a properly trained acupuncturist. Other side effects or adverse effects are rare and pose no threat to life and limb.
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Are there precautions before or after treatment?
Before acupuncture treatment, patients should be well rested, fed, clean, and relaxed, physically and mentally. They should also wear loose clothing for easy access to acupuncture points and channels, as the most commonly used points are on the extremities and limbs.After a treatment, a patient is advised not to expose himself to any extreme conditions, such as heat, cold, wetness (no bathing) or direct wind. A patient is also advised to relax the next two hours, avoiding strenuous physical activity and emotional disturbances.
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How long is a treatment session? How long is a treatment program?
Acupuncture treatments last from a minimum of 20 minutes to as long as 45 minutes, plus another 10 to 20 minutes for medical interview and physical examination.
The treatment program for acupuncture depends on the severity and duration of the condition. Acute and mild conditions naturally take fewer sessions, while chronic and severe conditions will take weeks or even months of regular treatment.A standard treatment regimen would be 2 sessions for 6 to 8 weeks, but each program will be tailor-fitted to the patient and discussed by your doctor individually.
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About the Acupuncturist
Dr. Francisco V. Navarro graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1998, under the Integrated Arts and Medicine (INTARMED) Program, and had his medical internship at the Philippine General Hospital.
He took his training in medical acupuncture at the Academy of Pain Research, at the St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco, under the Stanford Medical School; and in Xiamen University Hospital, Fujian, China.
Dr. Navarro is also a faculty at Ateneo de Manila University, under the Chinese Studies Program, where he teaches an elective course on Traditional Chinese Medicine. |
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