INFORMATION ON ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is a system of medicine that is rapidly growing in America.  People are curious about acupuncture. They are taking it upon themselves to discover the meaning and the benefits of this ancient, yet innovative, medical discipline.

If you are just getting acquainted with acupuncture, this information should be helpful. In it are the answers to four questions frequently asked about this treatment. Also introduced is the much broader subject of Oriental medicine and its philosophy of natural healing, of which acupuncture is a part.

What is the history of acupuncture?
Acupuncture was developed in China about 4,000 years ago. It is based on the understanding that human beings are complex bioelectric systems. Energy circulates through our bodies along well-defined pathways. If this energy circulation is disrupted, body functions are affected and pain or illness results.  The developers of acupuncture mapped out these body energy pathways. They also identified control points on the pathways at which harmful blockages can be corrected and health restored by means of acupuncture needles. Today , acupuncture is practiced around the world by licensed acupuncturists and medical doctors. It is recognized as a branch of medicine by the American Medical Association. The treatment is used primarily as an anesthetic to control pain and as a clinical procedure in internal medicine. Also, there is growing appreciation of acupuncture as a key to solving chemical dependency problems. In addition, athletes have discovered that acupuncture treatments can help them achieve optimum performance.

What is an acupuncture treatment like?
First, it's a relaxing experience. In fact, relaxation is a bonus benefit you get from acupuncture. No matter what ache or pain, a sickness or habit you come to have treated, your treatment should leave you feeling soothed and relatively unburdened. Ifs a nice bonus. Second, acupuncture is usually painless. You may feel a sensation at the point of insertion, but most likely it won't be pain. The needles are so fine (the size of a thick hair) and so gently placed that the sensations they arouse are usually pleasant and relaxing ones. But perhaps it isn't pain that concerns you. You may have an inherent fear of needles. In that case, heat or alternative therapies can be employed to provide you the benefits of acupuncture.  One more thing about acupuncture. While most patients feel progressively better after each treatment, you may feel temporarily worse after your first one or two visits. This happens when an illness has so dulled a patient's senses that he cannot feel the full severity of the discomfort. But this condition passes in a short time.

Yes, you can have an enormous influence on how fast and how permanently you are healed, All that's required is that you understand the philosophy of Oriental medicine, By opening your mind to this concept of healing, you can better enable it to work for you.

Two things to understand about Oriental medicine:
1. It is natural for your body to maintain a healthy, happy balance. Western medicine sees your body as a fragile target under constant attack from outside invaders -germs, toxins and crazy cells. Your doctor fights back with drugs, surgery and radiation. Oriental medicine contends that illness results not from outside invaders but from inside imbalances. It is natural for your body to be in a balanced state. Imbalances can be corrected peacefully and to a great degree, by the patient himself.
2. Disease is simply a warning that you have an imbalance that needs correcting. It is wrong to attach fear to a disease. Try to think of it this way: Disease hasn't attacked you in some cruel random stroke. Rather, its a helpful, if unpleasant signal, It is telling you, in effect, that you've let your natural body balance get out of whack, and you need to do something about it.

Thank you for choosing Dixie Lee Curtis, L.A.C., and Palestine Chiropractic Center. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.