Your West Palm Beach Acupuncture Treatments: What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a treatment that has been used for over 4000 years to treat pain and other health problems. It is a painless technique used to affect what the ancient chinese practitioners called Meridians (energy channels) in your body under the skin. Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or “life force”, flows through the body in these channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced “chee”).
Acupuncture treatment stimulates the imbalanced pathways along the meridians to bring balance back. The goal is to activate the body’s natural healing abilities. It’s often used to manage pain and other conditions, and can be part of a broader approach to healthcare.
A course of acupuncture is usually recommended because it can take a few sessions for you to see improvements. Lastly, you can continue to strengthen and support the body in preventing future illness and disease utilizing regular acupuncture treatments.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture improves blood flow and calms the nervous system. Researchers believe when an acupuncture needle is inserted, the sensory and proprioceptive nerves are stimulated. This sends a message to our brain and nervous system.
Our body’s enkephalins and endorphins are released. These are our body’s natural opioids and can dramatically relieve pain. Additionally, once these neurotransmitters are moving about, our blood vessels vasodilates. And this gets blood into the affected areas, initiating healing.
Recently, a team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School has looked at the underlying neuroanatomy of acupuncture that activates a specific signaling pathway. In this study, they specifically investigated acupuncture as a potential treatment for inflammation. They found “acupoints” or acupuncture points on the body’s surface are mechanically stimulated, triggering nerve signaling that affects the function of other parts of the body, including organs.
West Palm Beach Acupuncture Treatments for children, adults, athletes and the elderly
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of one or several very thin metal needles into the skin and underlying tissues. Because the sterile needles are so slender (hair thin) application is painless or at most, the equivalent of the most slightest prick.
However, you may try electroacupuncture (utilizes small electric current) or via “Teishen” tools in our office in West Palm Beach instead of the needles if you prefer. The electroacupuncture will stimulate the (acupuncture points) skin without piercing it. Additionally, Cupping is a Suction technique to get rid of toxin buildup and stagnant blood in chinese medicine that is offered in our office.
Also, for children, we can utilize non-needle treatment strategies. Some of the methods used are gentle stroking of the acupuncture channels with the hands and with “teishein” tools/balls. Next, acupuncture points on your child’s head, back, belly, legs and arms are targeted for an overall balancing of your child’s body may be performed. Specific acupuncture points may then be treated with gentle electroacupuncture. Children generally respond very quickly and very well to treatment. Also, they tend to need less overall visits.
Nutrition, self-care techniques and stretches and exercise recommendations are provided to get the full benefit of your acupuncture treatment.
What are some of the conditions that acupuncture treats?
Since acupuncture activates the natural, self-healing abilities of the body, it can
help with almost any imbalance or health condition, whether it’s physical or
emotional. And the following are some of the issues we treat with a high level of success:
- PAIN (CHRONIC & ACUTE)
- STRESS & ANXIETY
- HEADACHES
- DIGESTIVE ISSUES
- INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS (E.G. TENDONITIS, ARTHRITIS)
- HORMONE IMBALANCES (MENSTRUATION, MENOPAUSE ETC.)
- SLEEP ISSUES
- FERTILITY SUPPORT
- GENERAL HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS BLOOD PRESSURE
What will my first acupuncture appointment be like?
The ultimate question is DOES ACUPUNCTURE HURT?! So many patients are afraid of needles and don’t want to try acupuncture. But ACUPUNCTURE DOESN’T HURT!!
The first treatment is usually very relaxing and is beneficial. Typically, patients are just getting used to the idea of the experience of acupuncture. It generally takes several visits to experience a progressive and lasting benefit. In fact, most patients report increased relaxation and a great night’s sleep after the first visit.
You will be given a treatment plan with suggestions on treatment frequency as well as some self-care & lifestyle suggestions. You will get stretches and exercises. Most people need to come more frequently at first to get the best results from acupuncture therapy. After your first visit, most have some relief for the main issue they are coming in for, but often it can take several visits close together to get a more definite effect.
West Palm Beach Acupuncture Treatments for Staying Well!
Many people think that they need to have pain or something wrong to get acupuncture treatment. Prevention is always better than needing a cure!
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”
-Thomas Edison
Are you looking for quality acupuncture treatment services in West Palm Beach for you or your loved one? Receiving West Palm Beach Acupuncture Treatments will provide you with healing and pain relief. Call today to make an appointment or to learn how our acupuncture services can help you at 561-253-8984.
Chiropractic Physician, Certified in Acupuncture
Meiri Chiropractic
5601 Corporate Way, Ste 102
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-253-8984