Acupuncture Austin TX

About AcupunctureAcupuncture originated in China and has been in usethere since at least 400 BC. It’s based on the concept thatthe body contains energy known as qi (pronounced\"chee\"). According to Chinese medicine, qi streamsthroughout the body in 12 main pathways or meridians,and hundreds of collaterals. Illness occurs when qi getsstuck or doesn’t flow smoothly. By stimulating with thinneedles some of the 2,000 acupuncture points on thebody’s meridians, the acupuncturist helps qi flow. In thiscountry, the Food and Drug Administration regulatesacupuncture needles as medical devices which must besterilized and disposable.Studies show that acupuncture triggers the release ofchemicals that control pain. It also appears to affect bloodflow, though scientists do not know why. Insertingacupuncture needles shallowly in the skin also stimulatesthe hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain tosecrete hormones. And acupuncture seems to increasethe release of neurotransmitters, though the reason is notclear. The effects of such hormones and neurotransmitters include increased relaxation and reducedswelling.It appears to improve hormonal balance and to reduce inappropriate inflammatory responses in thebody. It also appears to improve digestive function, which helps the body to assimilate necessarynutrients. It seems to have an influence on the nervous system, and recent studies using MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) show an immediate change in brain activity in patients receivingacupuncture.

How to Choose an AcupuncturistFirst of all, you need to see someone you feel an affinity with, who listens to you and makes you feelcomfortable. That person should be well trained and experienced. This means someone who is statelicensed. Call the person and talk to them. They may only be able to be brief but feel free to ask howlong they’ve been in practice and if they’ve successfully treated the condition for which you would beseeking treatment. Feeling you can trust someone is very personal and important. Take the time toseek out the right practitioner. It’s an important relationship. What is the difference between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medical Acupuncture?Medical acupuncture, as practiced by doctors and chiropractors, is a less rigorous in term of itsrequirements to insert needles. It is an easier way for medical doctors to call themselvesacupuncturists. They can begin practicing acupuncture after 300 hours of training. This traininghowever does not address the depth or complexity of Traditional Chinese medicine. However thatare some medical doctors and chiropractors who have studied Chinese medicine more rigorouslyafter they have fulfilled minimal requirements for certification.Becoming a licensed acupuncturist in Texas requires over 3 years of school with one year ofinternship. By the time I got my degree, I had over 3000 hours of education in Chinese medicine andhad successfully passed the National Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology Board Exams(NCCAOM) and fulfilled rigorous requirements for Texas State licensure. Chinese medicine is anextremely complex medical modality that is thousands of years old and takes far more than 300hours of attention before it is practiced. With over a thousand herbs and hundreds of points, learninghow to use them effectively takes years of dedication and experience.

What is Acupuncture Like?The initial visit is often the longest. After a conversationabout your symptoms and history, there will be a 20-minutetreatment. During the intake, the acupuncturists mayexamine the patient’s tongue, studying the color, coating,even teeth marks on the body of the tongue. In traditionalChinese medicine the tongue is considered a mirror of thebody; it tells the acupuncturist which organs and meridiansare involved in your illness. The traditional acupuncturistmay also feel six different spots on your wrists for pulses.To practitioners, these pulses measure your overall health.An acupuncturist may also palpate, or prod, your abdomen,which tells him or her about the state of your qi. Besidesusing needles, an acupuncturist may also light a moxa stick,similar to a large incense stick, made of mugwort—a Chinese variety of sage. The moxa stick isintended to create a sense of warmth, and stimulate qi. The acupuncturist may try to energize qi bystimulating the needles electrically with a small machine, which causes the needles to pulsate slightly.Most experienced practitioners say that your symptoms should start to ease within one to two visits,and you should see significant relief within six visits. As a holistic medicine, acupuncture's effect maytake a few treatments to have noticeable results. If after six sessions you have not experienced relief,your acupuncturist should re-evaluate your condition and possibly refer you to another acupuncturistwith more experience or to another type of therapy. 3203 Larry Ln Austin, TX 78722 Phone: (512) 825-3305 www.acupuncturechangeslives.com