Acupuncture in Lakewood Colorado

What is acupuncture and Traditional Chinese/Oriental Medicine?

Oriental medicine has been practiced for more than 2,500 years and includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion, Oriental massage and Oriental nutrition. It is a system of medicine that categorizes body patterns into specific types of diagnoses with corresponding treatment plans. Asian/Oriental medicine is practiced in most parts of the world and is now being taught in most American Medical schools including Harvard Medical School. One may be surprised to find that Asian/Oriental medical theory and practice has spread to France, England, Spain, Germany, Russia, much of Middle and South America, and Africa. Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny needles about the size of a human hair into the skin to stimulate specific acupuncture points found on the body. Acupuncture and Asian/Oriental Medicine has gained worldwide acceptance and recognition as effective medical treatment. Over 15 million Americans have been treated by acupuncture. The research and knowledge about Asian/Oriental Medicine is only increasing. Other aspects of Oriental medicine are:

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Electro-acupuncture - the use of microcurrent technology, and electrical stimulation of the acupuncture points.

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•     Diet, Lifestyle and Nutritional Counseling

•     Cupping - this employs a glass as a suction device to stimulate blood circulation

•     Tai Chi - a form of physical exercise

•     Qi Gong - breath exercise Meditation - a form of relaxation

•     Various forms of therapeutic massage

What are acupuncture needles and how deeply are the needles inserted?​

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Acupuncture needles are sterile surgical grade steel needles.  The needles used in almost all clinics in the U.S. are single use needles.  This means that they come from the manufacturer in sterile packaging and are only opened immediately before insertion. The needle itself is only slightly thicker than a human hair. Our clinic specializes in Acupuncture in Littleton Colorado, and we focus on gentle needling styles that allow for minimum discomfort.

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Acupuncture needles are solid unlike the hypodermic needles used by physicians which are hollow and cut away more tissue.  Needle size and insertion depth depend upon the nature of the problem. Depths can be from 0.2 to 3 inches. Also taken into consideration are: the patient’s size, age, and constitution.​ The needle itself is only slightly thicker than a human hair​

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Acupuncture needles are solid unlike the hypodermic needles used by physicians which are hollow and cut away more tissue.  Needle size and insertion depth depend upon the nature of the problem. Depths can be from 0.2 to 3 inches. Also taken into consideration are: the patient’s size, age, and constitution.

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How do the acupuncture needles work?

 

Scientific research has discovered that acupuncture points show a variety of unique bioelectric properties. Stimulation of acupuncture points cause definite physiological reactions affecting brain activity, such as releasing pain-killing endorphins, influencing blood pressure, enhancing the immune system, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and enhancing the endocrine system. Most of all, acupuncture stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal itself, regain homeostasis, and maintain its relationship with nature. Our acupuncture in Littleton Colorado is uptodate on all the latest in scientific research regarding traditional medicines, including acupuncture. 

 

​What is Qi, Yin, and Yang?​

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"Upon close inspection, acupuncture is really just a large set of theories based in common sense.  Aspects of it are similar in many ways to simple folk remedies that have pervaded western culture, many of which have roots all the way back to biblical times and beyond.  The concept of Yin and Yang is a simple example of this common sense.  Yin, for example, is just a framework to help us categorize and understand the cooling principles of the body and our environment (fluids, rest, shade, etc.), whereas Yang is the warming principles (energy, sunshine, movement, etc.).  From a medical perspective, when you are hot (excessive yang) you need to increase or take in more Yin - a piece of watermelon on a sunny day. Watermelon is a yin tonic, that is just common sense, not a philosophical view or a religion.  These concepts in Chinese Medicine, are really just helpful ways of categorizing natural phenomena.  And these categorizations have an important role in the application of a natural medicine like Acupuncture." (Dupuis, 2003)

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Is there medicine on the needle?​

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No. It is the needle itself that initiates physiological changes and stimulates the body to heal by calming the nervous system, stimulating the release of endorphins, and by promoting blood circulation. 

Are the needles sterile?

 

Yes, the needles used at Healthy Lives Acupuncture are pre-sterilized, non-toxic and disposable. Communication of disease through acupuncture has not been an issue in the U.S.; a record, few other health care professions can claim.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. The FDA requires manufacturers of acupuncture needles to label them for single use only.

 

Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture has been reported to the FDA when considering the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used.

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Is acupuncture painful?

 

At the time the needle is inserted, some may feel soreness or slight pain. Others may feel nothing. Normal and therapeutic sensations felt around the needle would be tingling, electrical sensations, or a sense of swelling. Stimulation of needles can be done manually, or by attaching electrodes that transmit a therapeutically slight current.

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It is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner to ensure proper needle placement and stimulation. In any case, if you experience discomfort during or after the treatment, it is usually mild and short term. Because the purpose of acupuncture is to balance your body, there are no long-term negative side effects. On the contrary, relaxation and a sense of well-being often occur during and after treatment. Often patients become so relaxed that they sleep during treatment.

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Are there side effects of acupuncture?

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Acupuncture is a considerably safe treatment method.  The incidences of negative outcomes or reactions to acupuncture are statistically negligible.  The most common ill effect that most people have is light-headedness and painless bruising.

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What is Chinese herbal medicine?

 

Beyond understanding acupuncture, the public is quite curious about the Chinese herbal aspect of Oriental medicine. Chinese herbal medicine consists mainly of vegetable sources, leaves, flowers, twigs, stems, roots, tubers, rhizomes, and bark. In addition, there are animal and mineral products used on occasion when necessary. Most acupuncturists use herbal medicine in raw, powder, and pill form. Raw herbs take some cooking and may taste strong or undesirable. There is a saying in Chinese, “bitter mouth, good medicine.” Herbal pills may be prescribed instead of raw herbs for less severe conditions. Likewise, herbal medicines are rapidly increasing in economic importance, with the U.S. claiming over $60 million in world market herbal sales, including raw materials.

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In China, herbal medicine has traditionally been the most fundamental method of treatment. Medicinal herbal formulas are dispensed to each patient based upon the patient’s individual constitution and current medical condition. Unlike western herbs, Chinese herbs are used in very specific combinations, as opposed to singular herbs. An herbal formula may be comprised of as many as 15 herbs, all having specific purposes within the formula.