Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE

By Justin Burkett, L.Ac.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one branch of Chinese medicine. It is the use of sterile, disposable, one-time use only stainless steel needles to adjust the body’s energy flow. Needles are inserted into acupuncture points, which lie along meridian pathways. Meridian pathways are the routes through which bioelectricity (qi, or chee) flows into the major organ systems of the body. There are 12 main meridians, which pertain to the 12 zang – fu organs. Just as your appliances run on electricity, your organs, your cells and tissues run on bioelectricity. If there is an imbalance in this bioelectric flow, there will be a decline in health. Acupuncture aims to restore vitality to the human organism by improving the flow of bioelectric energy, or chi.

What is Acupuncture used for?

Acupuncture is an extremely versatile therapeutic tool that can be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of human ailments. In 1997 the NIH released a consensus statement regarding acupuncture. It found acupuncture to be an effective treatment for: back pain, joint pain, sciatica, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, bone pain, allergies, addictions, chronic fatigue, insomnia, IBS, Constipation, rhinitis, sinusitis, smoking cessation, tennis elbow, weight management, gastritis, headaches and more

A typical example of neck and shoulder pain:

Most famously, acupuncture is renowned for its ability to alleviate pain. A basic statement of fact in Chinese Medicine is that pain is the result of a lack of freely flowing qi and blood. Take for example neck and shoulder tension and pain. You are well aware that it takes energy for a muscle to contract. It also requires an energy investment for muscles to relax. If you are in a situation where for some reason, because of the work you do, or the way you hold your stress, there is chronic tension in your muscles. If these muscles don’t relax, there will be stagnation of qi and blood. When the qi becomes stagnant there is not the force to move the blood. When the blood becomes stagnant, then metabolic byproducts such as lactic acid will accumulate. Lactic acid will irritate nerve cells and cause pain. Additionally, lactic acid will distort the protein fibers in the muscles leading to more knots and stiffness. Stiffness and tension in a muscle will put unnecessary stress on the associated joints, possibly leading to pain in the neck, or pain in the shoulder joint.
Now consider all this tension in the neck and shoulders and between the shoulder blades. As you breathe in, your lungs should expand in all directions. Tension in this area will inhibit lung function, leading to a decrease in oxygenation levels, resulting in a decrease in energy levels. Decreased energy levels, further the downward trend because there is now not enough energy to completely relax the tension. So by inserting needles into precise points, we can cause the muscles to fully relax, and improve the circulation, taking away the accumulated toxins and bringing in new fresh blood for tissue repair. Also, due to the fact that there was a release of tension, and more oxygen in the body, then it is not uncommon to see an increase in energy levels as well.

How often does one need to get acupuncture?

That really depends on a variety of factors; from the nature of the complaint, the general state of health, your diet, whether you’re supplementing with Chinese herbs and your lifestyle. We say that a course of treatment is 10 sessions. Often times, a problem will resolve sooner than that, sometimes it may take longer. Acupuncture sessions have a cumulative and synergistic effect; so in the early stages of treatment, it is better to have 2-3 sessions in the first couple weeks, and then reduce the frequency of visits. Of course for more chronic conditions, such as arthritis or obesity, longer term treatment will be necessary
Acupuncture really excels as preventive medicine. It is said that in ancient times, the doctors were paid to keep their patients well. When the patient became ill, the doctor stopped being paid. The focus is on wellness, creating an environment for healing within the human organism. It is your focus that leads you to your goal.

A personal note on my hopes and beliefs

It is my hope for world that our goal is wellness: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Health is a state of peace and harmony, and from this state, only good things can come. Joy is the flower of good health.
It is my sincere belief that we are here on this planet for a specific purpose, and we are all here to make the world a better place in some way. It is only when we are free from the distortions that we can experience the world clearly. Our bodies are our vehicles, the cosmic instruments of our being. If we are ill or out of tune within ourselves, then we cannot experience the best of whom we are. When we are in tune with the flow of life in universe, then we are living at a higher level.
This is why I have chosen to practice this medicine. To do my part in making the world around me a better place every day by working with you, sharing this knowledge, knowing that everyday someone is having a better life with less pain, and greater understanding.