Spotlight on Acupuncture
"A healthy outside starts from the inside." -Robert Urich
Welcome to 2016! Our first blog post this year we are putting the spotlight on Acupuncture! Dr. Cory Morris is certified in acupuncture and keeps up to date with the latest research and information in the field to best serve each individual. As always, we love to spread the word of health and wellness, so feel free to share our blog page and website with anyone you think would enjoy!
Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine that is still utilized in today’s world; therefore, it has stood the tough test of “time”! Acupuncture is the process of inserting very thin needles into specific acupuncture points on the body in order for your body, as a whole, to gain balance. It is effective in relieving pain, treating numerous conditions/diseases/dysfunctions, and providing health and wellness to help combat everyday stresses (physical, mental, and emotional).
There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the human body, but various ways to structure treatment for any given individual. Here at EPIC Chiropractic, we categorize acupuncture treatments into one of the 4 categories listed and described below:
Health and Wellness: This form of acupuncture treatment is best to keep your body functioning optimally and in balance throughout the year. It helps boost your immune system, increases energy, improves mood and sleep patterns, and helps combat daily stresses we encounter in our lives. This treatment has specific points that are utilized to make sure your body maintains balance and harmony. This treatment is proven to be especially useful on the 4 days of the year where the seasons change.
Musculo-skeletal: This form of acupuncture treatment is utilized to treat any muscle, ligament, tendon, or fascia injury; think…muscle spasms, sprain/strains, trigger points, plantar fasciatis, tennis elbow, any joint/muscle pain (back, neck, knee, shoulder, elbow, etc.). These treatments are structured uniquely to the presenting patient and area of concern. Needles are inserted into specific points to help relieve the area of its symptoms and set the body on the correct path towards healing.
Auricular: The human ear alone can be used to treat the entire body via acupuncture; therefore, it is given its own division within the world of acupuncture. Some well know practitioners only utilize the ear in their practice for all treatments: It is that effective! It can be used to treat anything mentioned in the other 3 categories listed here. Auricular acupuncture also provides an alternative to those who may be hesitant of needles being inserted in a specific area of the body; we can treat the same area only using the ear points. Commonly known treatments for weight loss and smoking cessation utilize specific ear points in the treatment protocol.
Internal Dysfunction: This form of acupuncture treatment focuses on internal imbalances that are causing disease or dysfunction in the body. Hormone and chemical imbalances within the body project outwardly causing dysfunction and dissention of the body keeping it from functioning as a whole unit and working to its full potentional; not to mention, it causes ill effects on the person. A few common examples are migraine headaches, digestive issues, and female imbalances causing painful and/or irregular menstration.
Below are a couple frequently asked questions about acupuncture:
Q: I don’t like needles, so how am I going to be able to have multiple ones in my skin at once?
A: Acupuncture needles are much smaller and thinner than typical needles seen in the medical profession. Most points and treatments are virtually painless. Some points are more ‘active’ than others and that varies from person to person. Those that do cause a slight pinch, subside within seconds and most patients forget the needles are in because of the relaxed state acupuncture helps promote.
Q: How many needles are used in a treatment and how long do they stay in?
A: A typical session lasts 15-20 minutes. This allows the acupuncture points to adapt to the treatment and the full effects to take place in and on the body. The number of needles varies from person to person and what the session is treating. Sessions can require as few as 2 needles; where some extensive sessions can utilize up to 30.
Did You Know?
- There are over 1,000 acupuncture points on the human body, each approximately the size of a dime.
- Ancient acupuncture needles were made of stone, bamboo, and bone.
- Acupuncture is over 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest active forms of medicine known.
- Studies have shown acupuncture points to have increased electrical conductivity compared to other areas of your skin!
In conclusion, if you have any questions or inquiries about acupuncture I encourage you to give us a call or do some research because more than likely acupuncture is something that can benefit you or someone you may know.
Thanks so much for reading our blog post, check back soon for more helpful information about your body and health! Visit our Facebook page to stay up to date with EPIC Chiropractic and for more helpful health tips and advice.
...and as always, remember to #liveEPIC!
