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About Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a modality within the umbrella of East-Asian medicine, a system of treatment with 4000 years of empirical evidence. Originally documented around 200 BCE in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing), acupuncture refers to the stimulation of strategic points along meridians in the body that pass through various organs, glands, vessels, and tissues. These meridians closely follow lines of fascia that encase and separate organ systems, whose collagen-rich consistency serve as a conductor of electricity within the fascial lines. When points are stimulated, an electrical signal is sent through the meridian to the areas of the body it passes through, allowing the blood, fluids, and energy (known as qi) to gather and correct themselves.
Think of an acupuncture point as a tiny light switch in a grand theater hall- when you flip the switch by the door you turn on a light on the stage. Although you can't see the wires, they exist underneath the surface.
East-Asian medicine (EAM) is a system of healthcare that has been proven to treat many ailments, from the common cold to chronic pain to psycho-emotional disorders. As practitioners we are rigorously trained to identify patterns of disharmony rather than rely solely on Western diagnosis - meaning no two treatments are alike even if the diagnosis is the same. We treat the patient in front of us, as they are today, paying close attention to the physiological signs your body is giving about what it needs to get back to balanced health. Because of EAM's pattern-based approach to diagnosis and treatment, it is a strong complement to Western medicine interventions as EAM supports the body's ability to assimilate pharmaceuticals and recover from medical procedures.
Acupuncture is just one of many highly effective modalities in the East-Asian Medicine toolbox. Below is a summarized list of what else you may find in any East-Asian medicine treatment:
Herbal Medicine
the combining of natural plant and/or animal matter to create a custom formulation for a patient's presenting pattern. For example, unlike Western pharmaceuticals that are designed to be "one size fits all" for a headache, East-Asian herbal medicine emphasizes custom design of formulas to treat the specific pattern that is causing the headache.
Moxibustion (Moxa)
the act of burning dried mugwort over points to stimulate them. Moxibustion is used for many conditions, and is famously known for helping turn a breech baby before 35 weeks when applied to the point on the outside tip of the pinky toe (Bladder 67 Zhi Yin).
Cupping
made famous in the US by Michael Phelps' "octopus marks" in the 2012 Olympics, cupping is the use of glass or plastic cups to suction areas of skin and muscle to relieve tension and encourage circulation of blood and lymph. It is used often to relieve sharp, stagnant pain in any area of the body and to encourage relaxation of muscles and subsequently the mind.
Gua Sha
literally translated as "scraping evil", it involves scraping areas of skin to release toxins and muscle tension. Gua sha is used commonly to relieve neck tension and to kick a cold to the curb when it's first coming on.
What East-Asian Medicine Treats
Below are conditions that are commonly treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine:
Dermatology
eczema, psoriasis, acne, urticaria (hives), rosacea, contact dermatitis (poison ivy and oak), herpes zoster (shingles)
Digestive Conditions
irritable bowel syndrome, GERD/reflux, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel disease (Crohn's & ulcerative colitis)
Pain Syndromes
musculoskeletal pain, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, hernia, plantar fasciitis
Sleep Conditions
insomnia, hypersomnia, chronic fatigue, dream-disturbed sleep, apnea, snoring, night sweats
Endocrine Conditions
diabetes, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, Graves' disease, Addison's disease, Cushing syndrome, PCOS
Circulatory Conditions
hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), atherosclerosis & coronary artery disease, arteriosclerosis, Raynaud's syndrome
Neurological Conditions
facial paralysis, Bell's Palsy, post-stroke rehabilitation, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, tremors
Gynecological Conditions
amenorrhea, irregular menstruation, infertility, miscarriage, leukorrhea, PMS, dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Respiratory Conditions
asthma, allergies, common cold, flu, sinusitis
Psycho-Emotional Conditions
anxiety, depression, stress-related dysregulation
Cancer Supportive Care
chemotherapy/radiation-induced nausea/vomiting, fatigue, neuropathy
© Sydney Malawer, Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Inc., 2024