Acupuncture

Acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization and National Institute of Health in the United States for the treatment of at least 51 conditions.

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is an ancient healing and health promoting technique developed by the Chinese people. It is based on the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which is 4,000 years old. It involves the insertion of special needles into specific anatomical points on the body called Acupuncture points.

HOW DOES THE DOCTOR SELECT WHICH POINTS TO PUNCTURE?
Your acupuncturist is a duly trained physician and is a Certified Family Medicine practitioner in addition to being a properly trained acupuncturist. As such, his first job is to confirm your “modern” medical diagnosis and make sure you do not require any immediate/urgent life-saving intervention. Then your doctor will get your complete medical history, and will ask questions about your lifestyle and emotional condition, then he(she) will try to “weave a pattern of disharmony” and make a TCM diagnosis. Based on the TCM and modern medical diagnosis, he(she) shall then select as few points as possible for puncturing and stimulation.

HOW DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote healing and to improve functioning.

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels — 71 of them –run in regular patterns throughout the body and over its surface. These channels are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. Any obstruction in any of these pathways backs up the flow in one part and restricts it in others. It is a traditional belief that such obstructions cause excesses and deficiencies of energy {Qi (pronounced as “chee”)} and blood, which eventually leads to diseases. Acupuncture needling can unblock these obstructions and restore the free flow of Qi and blood.

Modern science, through many years of research, has established that acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system to release chemicals, endogenous opoids among others, which, in turn trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones, which restore psychological balance, alter the perception of pain, and positively influence the body’s internal regulating system. Through some still unknown mechanism, studies further show that acupuncture enhances the body’s immune system. These findings explain how acupuncture assists in the recovery from disease and in the promotion of good health and well-being.

IS IT PAINFUL?
Not really. More often, the most you can feel, upon needle insertion, is likened to a brief mosquito bite. The needles are much thinner – as thin as a human hair. Furthermore, they come in plastic tubes. On one end of the tube is pressed firmly on the skin before the needle is “tapped-in”. The sensation of the tube masks the needle’s entry.

After the needles are inserted, your doctor will stimulate each needle until you feel a “Qi sensation.” This is a numb, heavy, tightening, swelling, and/or dull sensation. Classically, this means that the Qi has started to “follow” and flow.

IS ACUPUNCTURE SAFE?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. All needles are factory sterilized and has passed rigorous standards. Needles will be used once and disposed. We follow strict aseptic and antiseptic procedures. Furthermore, your acupuncturist has undergone rigid training and is well-versed in proper needling techniques. At Intercare, patient safety is assured.

HOW LONG AND HOW FREQUENT ARE THE TREATMENTS?
Each treatment session lasts thirty (30) minutes — excluding medical history and physical examination. The number of treatment sessions and its frequency will depend on how severe and how long the disease has been present. Patients who just want to maintain or promote their good health may come once a month or every (3) months. Severe problems may require two or three treatment sessions per week. There are 10 treatment sessions per course.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS DOES IT TAKE TO SEE A DIFFERENCE?
This really depends on your specific condition. As a general rule, patients will experience a significant improvement in symptoms within 4-6 treatments. Acute problems usually respond quickly. Illnesses of longstanding duration can take a lot longer (2-3 months)

WILL SEING MY REGULAR DOCTOR INTERFERE WITH THE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENTS?
No. In fact, you should continue seeing your medical specialist (s). Acupuncture helps in complementing the modern medical treatments you’re receiving by promoting your body’s inherent healing abilities.

Acupuncture works like “energy medicine”

Acupuncture puts energy in areas with a decreased supply of energy. Certain conditions that respond well to this treatment are discussed in the episode on “Alternative Forms of Healing” in the show
“Loren: Kabalikat Natin” [video]

FOR WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DOES ACUPUNCTURE WORK?
Based on the theories of the TCM, a person becomes sick if the “Qi” or vital energy becomes abnormal. An abnormality in “Qi” may either be due to depletion, poor circulation, accumulation and/or imbalances.

Thus in China, acupuncture is used practically for almost all illnesses. However, the World Health Organization lists more than 40 diseases for which acupuncture may help. Furthermore, the United States National Institute for Health (USNIH) lists the following conditions where acupuncture is effective:

post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting nausea of pregnancy (acupressure is utilized here)
post-operative dental pain

In our experience, acupuncture is effective for almost all types of pain (including headaches, functional menstrual pain, and cancer pain), neuro-muscular problems, vertigo, bronchial asthma, insomnia, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, body weakness, stress, and low resistance against cough and colds. Acupuncture also helps in maintaining an optimum state of health.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
LISTING OF CONDITIONS WHICH RESPOND POSITIVELY TO ACUPUNCTURE