Acupuncture

When the blood flow is unobstructed then health is maintained, but once that flow is changed; either obstructed or unregulated, then the whole body system is distrupted and illness will eventually occur. Imagine a river that is either dammed up or becomes a flood, with either of those there is damaged caused to the natural flow. In the body that shows up as pain, dysfunction, and eventually disease.

Acupuncture stimulates the flow of blood, so that balance can be restored, by inserting very thin needles into the acupoints in combination to address not just the main symptoms but the root cause as well.

What is Qi?
At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced "chee"). Some consider this to be Life Energy, which in some way is correct. The true meaning of the character of Qi is 'Vital Vapor' or 'Vital Air'. Air traveling through the blood and enters the mitochondria of the blood cell does give energy. So even 3,500 years ago, the Chinese knew how vital oxygen was to the body.

When Qi and Blood flows freely throughout the body, one enjoys good physical, mental and emotional well-being. An obstruction of Qi anywhere in the body is like a dam, backing up the flow in one area and restricting it in others. This blockage can hinder the distribution of the nourishment that the body requires to function optimally.

Normally, when this imbalance occurs, the body naturally bounces back, returning to a balanced state of health and well-being. When the disruption of Qi and/or Blood is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, then illness, pain or disease can set in.

What should I expect during acupuncture?
Where the acupuncture needle has been inserted, you may experience a vague numbness, heaviness, tingling or dull ache. Sometimes people experience a sensation of energy spreading and moving around the needle. This is called the "Qi sensation". All these reactions are good and a sign that the treatment is working. After treatment, you may feel energized or may experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.

Why do you want to look at my tongue?
The tongue is a map of the body. It reflects the general health of the organs and body fluids. The major things examined are the color, shape, cracks and coating on your tongue.

How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments will vary from person to person. Some people experience immediate relief others may take months or even years to achieve results. Chronic conditions usually take longer to resolve than acute ones. Plan on a minimum one month of weekly treatments to see significant changes. There is also a difference in care, from relief to corrective to maintenance that will determine how long.

Treatment frequency depends on a variety of factors: your constitution, the severity and duration of the problem and the quality and quantity of your Qi and/or Blood. I may suggest one or two or even three treatments per week, or only monthly visits for health maintenance or seasonal "tune ups" depending on your condition.

What is the difference between an Acupuncturist and a Doctor who "does" acupuncture?
To become an Acupuncturist, a student attends a graduate school program in Traditional Chinese Medicine for 3 - 4 years. After graduation, the students sits for the National exam given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), which is the ONLY national board examination, CERTIFYING Acupuncturists in the U.S.A.

A Minimum of 1,800 hours of Chinese Medical Education and supervised clinical training is required to sit for this exam. Currently, the requirement to sit for this exam is graduation from an Chinese Medical School, most of which are 2,200+ hour programs. It is a two-day test of written and practical Acupuncture skills and theory.

An Acupuncturist, after passing the NCCAOM is awarded the title "Diplomate of Acupuncture of the NCCAOM" (Dipl. Ac.). Certification is renewed every four years with the requirement of completing at least 60 hours of continuing education units.

The Colorado State Department of Regulatory Agencies regulate acupuncture, in the State of Colorado. Only those who pass the NCCAOM exam are awarded the title of "Licensed Acupuncturist" (L.Ac.)

As for Medical Doctors, Doctors of Osteopathy, or Chiropractors who "Do Acupuncture", here is their breakdown of training in acupuncture:

Chiropractors: need only 100 hours of training, review 25 case histories and NO examination to legally perform acupuncture in Colorado.

Medical Doctors (M.D.) and Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O.): have NO minimum requirements for doing acupuncture in Colorado. They call themselves "Medical Acupuncturists".

There is a class at U.C.L.A. especially for physicians to learn acupuncture, it is ONLY 350 hours.