What is acupuncture and is it for me?
There are many techniques to stimulate Acupuncture points and get results. In our office we most commonly utilize an electrical Acupuncture technique as well as Acupressure. These are demonstrated in the video above. Electrical stimulation is done by a hand held stimulator that puts an electrical impulse (that you usually don’t even feel) into the points that correlate to best improving your health condition. Dr. Tarnick studied under a pioneer in Acupuncture, Dr. Richard Yennie, in Kansas City to learn the best approach to healing the body with Acupuncture. Here is a great article on Dr. Richard Yennie and the Rise of Acupuncture in America. If you suffer from any health condition, please give us a call today to see how we may help you!
Q. What is Acupuncture?
A. Acupuncture is a 5,000 year old Chinese system of healing (No drugs…No surgery), which is concerned with restoring 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 energies.
Explanation: The Chinese definition of Health is “All parts of the body functioning normally” all 400 trillion parts. If there is an interruption in the transmission of energy flow or life force (called the ch’I in Chinese), then the organ malfunction, disease, pain and suffering is inevitable.
Q. Where does the interruption of energy flow occur?
A. In either or both locations: (1) In the channels of energy flow, which are located throughout the body, just beneath the skin surface; (2) In the spinal column where vertebrae may become misaligned, thereby compressing vital nerve trunks.
Q. Are there other causes of disease besides those associated with the interference of the transmission of energy flow?
A. Yes, of course. Psychosomatic states, hereditary factors, poisons, adverse environmental conditions, injury, germs, malnutrition, etc…., all are disease producing.
Q. How do you detect the disturbance in energy flow within a patient?
A. By many methods, including certain signs, symptoms, pain spots, organ reflex points and by pulse or instrumental findings.
Q. Assuming I’m going to take acupuncture treatments in Lincoln, how are they performed?
A. First, the related skin points are determined. Then they are appropriately treated by one of over thirty methods of stimulations some of which are:
- Electrical stimulation (most commonly used at our Lincoln Acupuncture office)
- Short needle penetration
- Non-piercing needles
- Finger tip pressure (called shishin or “finger needles”)
- Metallic balls taped to points
- Long needle insertion (especially done in acupuncture anesthesia for surgery)
- Moxabustion (the burning of herbs over the points)
Note: The non-piercing needle (teishin) is very popular because the technique is practically painless, there is no blood, no danger of infection and results are equal to if not better than other techniques. Teishin and electrical stimulation are most commonly used at this office.
Q . What are some of the conditions commonly treated by acupuncture?
A. Text book listed conditions run into a few thousand. Typical ailments usually responding to acupuncture health care includes: neuralgia, tics, spasms, muscular rheumatism, neuralgia of the shoulder and arm, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, 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, glaucoma(sometimes)weak eyesight, hay fever, loss of smell, tonsillitis, loss of hearing, skin conditions and even nervous or 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 thousand 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, concerned with the systems of the body such as nervous circulatory, digestive, eliminatory, reproductive, hormonal, musculoskeletal, etc. and seeks to correct health problems within those systems.
Q. Out of 10 patients accepted for acupuncture health care, how many usually respond favorably?
A. On the average, 8-9 respond favorably to acupuncture. Two out of ten fail to respond favorably for a variety of reasons. Advanced age, severity of condition, irreversible tissue damage, etc., are deterrents to recovery.
Q. Are spinal adjusting treatments necessary with Acupuncture?
A. Absolutely. Spinal adjusting is part of the acupuncture health care. World authorities, including Feliz Mann, M.D. of England; Paul Nogier, M.D. of France and Kunzo Nagayma, M.D. of Japan are very emphatic on this aspect of “getting well”. Dr. Mann states that many internal diseases are cured by the spinal adjustment alone. Leaving the adjustment out of the treatment plan invites failure.
Q. Does Acupuncture have another name?
A. Yes. In fact the word acupuncture is incorrect because it implies needles only. The proper wording is “Meridian Therapy”, or Chin Lo Chi Liao in Chinese. It was named ‘acupuncture’ in the 16th century by Portuguese sailors who knew no better. The wrong name stuck.
Q. In America, what kind of doctor should one go to for this type of health care?
A. Any doctor (chiropractor, medical, or osteopath) who has had the proper training.
Q. In Acupuncture (Meridian Therapy) are there other significant factors besides skin point stimulation and vertebral adjusting?
A. Yes, there are four laws to obey for those who desire health and longevity:
- Proper nutrition
- Adequate rest
- Moderate exercise
- A positive mental attitude
Speak to a Chiropractor to learn more about Acupuncture in Lincoln, NE by calling (402) 483-2900.