Ahnen Chiropractic

Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture is an excellent healing art. We encourage all patients to experience the power of acupuncture. At Ahnen Chiropractic, acupuncture is more than just “needles.”

We perform acupuncture with a variety of methods, one of which is the needle. We can also stimulate an acupuncture point with pressure, micro-current, and patches with a pebble in it.

We offer computerized acupuncture examination, electronic acupuncture treatment (no needles), ear acupuncture (tinny painless pebbles placed on specific acupuncture points), and specific acupuncture herbs (ancient Chinese formulas).

The aim of acupuncture is to promote health and give relief from pain and suffering. It is one of the three main branches of traditional Chinese medicine. The others are herbal medicine and Tui Na. Acupuncture has been in use for over 2,000 years. In 1995, the FDA declared acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment.

Though it is most frequently used for pain relief, the wide-ranging effects acupuncture make it a useful therapy for conditions affecting the digestive system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and nervous system among many other conditions.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical procedure that relieves pain and treats disease by restoring the normal flow of energy though the body. A typical acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of a dozen or so hair-thin needles into specific points that connect with deeper organs and tissues in other parts of the body. The World Health Organization (WHO), the health branch of the United Nations, lists more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture may be useful.

Acupuncture: Pain Relief and Much More?

Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago but just because this therapy has its roots in ancient history doesn’t mean that it’s primitive. Traditional Chinese medicine, which developed the practice of acupuncture, is a highly sophisticated medical discipline based on the concept of Qi (pronounced “chee”), which is the life energy that flows through everyone. When Qi is blocked by stress, fatigue, poor diet, and other disturbances, the result is discomfort or disease. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the flow of Qi, bringing the body into healthy balance.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

If you’ve never experienced acupuncture, the idea that a needle can relieve pain may be hard to fathom, but the sterilized, disposable needles used in acupuncture are so thin that most people feel nothing more than a slight tingling sensation.

After the needles are inserted, the lights are lowered, soft music is played, and you experience complete healing relaxation.

The treatment lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes, during which time the doctor may slightly twist the needles once or twice to “grab” the Qi. Massage, heat, and electrical stimulation may be used in conjunction with the needles.

Some conditions clear up with one or two treatments. However, chronic conditions may require multiple sessions.

How Can Acupuncture Benefit Such a Wide Variety of Conditions?

Researchers have identified several physiological mechanisms to explain the effects of acupuncture. To begin, acupuncture stimulates electromagnetic signals in the body to be relayed at a greater rate than normal. Some of these signals start the flow of pain-killing biochemicals, such as endorphins, while others mobilize immune system cells to specific sites that are injured or vulnerable to disease. Placing needles at specific acupuncture points also activates opioids in the brain that relieve pain and promote sleep.

Finally, acupuncture promotes the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that affect the body’s organs in beneficial ways. Some of these chemicals help restore balance to the immune system. Others, affect basic metabolic functions such as blood pressure, blood flow, body temperature, and blood sugar levels.

What Conditions Benefit From Acupuncture?

Though it is most frequently used for pain relief, the wide-ranging effects of acupuncture make it a useful therapy for conditions affecting the digestive system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and nervous system among many others. Here is a partial list of conditions for which acupuncture therapy is appropriate: