David R. Johnson. Licensed Acupuncturist. Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
About acupuncture
We have a natural ability to heal ourselves. Remember when you were a child and you scraped your knee or accidentally got a cut? And over the next few days you watched the injured area scab up, heal and then look almost the way it did before the injury. That is an example of what your body can do! Sometimes the body becomes less able to heal because its trying to adapt as best as it can. This loss of effectiveness can be a result of a myriad of things. Acupuncture promotes natural healing by marshaling the body's healing life force (called Qi- pronounced "chee") that recuperates immunity, functioning and well being. This is done through inserting very thin needles (thinner than your hair) and applying heat, cupping or electrical simulation at very precise acupuncture points. Acupuncture is very old and effective type of medicine (estimated to be between 2500 and 5000 years old) that has evolved into a complete holistic healthcare modality. Currently it is enjoying an unprecedented growth period in the U.S. and internationally. It acts on all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. It is a safe, painless and effective way to treat a wide variety of medical problems.
A person's health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi. Qi moves in the body similarly to how blood flows through arteries, veins and capillaries. Qi moves through specific pathways called meridians. There are 14 main meridians inside the body. Each of these is connected to specific organs and glands. Meridians pathways are like rivers flowing inside the body. In life, a river transports the life-giving water that provides nourishment to the land, plants and people. Similarly, where meridian pathways flow, they bring life-giving Qi that provides nourishment to every cell, organ, gland, tissue and muscle in the body. When Qi gets obstructed, then the vital life force is not as able to provide nourishment to the body. The result of this is disease or pain. When it flows health occurs and pain is replaced by well-being.
A word about the needles we use: the acupuncture needles are thin as your hair and not to be confused as those bigger ones used for injections. They are sterile and we swab areas needled with alcohol.
Acupuncture historically has been considered a modality or treatment of alternative medicine or c omplementary medicine. What is true is that it is becoming more main stream and a part of Western (or biomedicine) medical treatment. Insurances often help pay for it because they are beginning to recognize that it will benefit their members and save them money and it is also considered a medical write-off for income taxes.