Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, “needle”, and pungere, “to prick”. Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China. 

In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Physicians once discovered there is an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures over 1,000 “Acupoints” on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body’s circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key “Acupoints” on the body may restore harmony to the affected area. Historians have stated, “More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern.” 

There is general agreement that acupuncture is very safe when administered by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles. There are many researches and studies that were published by WHO. (Please click documents below to see more information.) World Health Organization (WHO) list of health conditions treatable by acupuncture. World Health Organization (WHO) full report.

Cupping refers to an ancient Chinese practice in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced by suctioning out air, so that the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup.

In that practice, the skin is pinched at specific points until redness is generated. Cupping is applied by acupuncturists to certain acupuncture points, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain (where the pain is deeper than the tissues to be pulled). A certain amount of bruising is expected both from cupping, especially at the site of the cup rim. However, this skin redness or bruising will disappear usually within a week.

In some cases, a small amount of blood letting is done first; using a pricking needle, and then the cup is applied over the site. This technique is said to promote blood circulation, remove stasis, and alleviate swelling and pain. It is employed especially when there is a toxic heat syndrome and for a variety of acute ailments.

Dry needling is based on modern western medicine which is to treat the myofascial pain. It uses sterile and thin monofilament needles without injection shots or medication penetrating the skin to break down the muscle knots, trigger points, and tender points to relieve the pain as well as to restore proper function to normal.

The needle itself acts to physically disrupt the tension and pressure within the involved tissue. It unlocks the tissue, thereby encouraging tissue to return to a more normal and improved level of function.

A needle’s role on the soft tissues of the body is to heal the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascial tissues.

Benefits of Dry Needling:

*Wide application throughout the body

*Does not interfere with most patients’ drug regimens or interfere with implanted devices such as pacemakers

*There are no contraindications to the number of sites or frequency of treatment

*Can be safely used with patients, who are very osteoporotic, and have compression fractures

Does dry needling hurt?

A dry needle is very thin like a hair and it is also bendable compare to injection shot needle. A healthy muscle cannot feel the pain when it penetrates the muscles. Unlike unhealthy muscles may or may not feel the pain. It varies and depends on where and how severe your trigger points or tender points are. Most of the areas are insusceptible. 

Not only is dry needling not painful -- but you will also feel better after your treatment!

There are many use cases that utilize these methods of treatment to provide relief for people of all ages and walks of life.

They include, but are not limited to: headache, back pain, joint and muscular pain, rheumatic diseases, hypertension, breast enhancement, bed wetting, common colds and flu, insomnia, fever, constipation and diarrhea, chest pain, asthma and blood disorders.