What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where very thin, single use, sterile, disposable needles are inserted into specific locations on the body, in order to entice the body into healing its self. In TCM it’s believed that life energy (Qi) flows throughout the body and all of its organs and when restricted or out of balance, sickness or illness results. Acupuncture adjusts this energy (Qi) removing restrictions and restoring balance.
Why choose acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a safe, natural and effective type of therapy that entices the body to healing itself without the use of drugs or chemicals. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognize acupuncture effectiveness at treating more than 100 different illnesses and health complaints. Additionally, acupuncture is also the oldest continuously practiced form of medicine in the entire world with a documented history more than 4,500 years old.
What does acupuncture actually do?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a scientific review in 1997 and concluded through the review of random controlled clinical trials that acupuncture has the following biological effects on the body:
* Acupuncture increases the release of endorphins, substances that inhibit pain.
* Acupuncture stimulates and regulates the endocrine system.
* Acupuncture enhances the body's immune function.
* Acupuncture increases the body's circulation.
* Acupuncture increases the release of endorphins, substances that inhibit pain.
* Acupuncture stimulates and regulates the endocrine system.
* Acupuncture enhances the body's immune function.
* Acupuncture increases the body's circulation.
How does acupuncture work?
1. Neurotransmitter Theory: Acupuncture affects higher brain areas, stimulating the secretion of beta-endorphins and enkephalins in the brain and spinal cord. The release of neurotransmitters influences the immune system and the antionciceptive system. 7,8,9
2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory: Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine, acetylcholine and several other types of opioids, affecting changes in their turnover rate, normalizing the autonomic system, and reducing pain. 10, 11
3. Vascular-interstitial Theory: Acupuncture effects the electrical system of the body by creating or enhancing closed-circuit transport in tissues. This facilitates healing by allowing the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues. 9
4. Blood Chemistry Theory: Acupuncture affects the blood concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids, suggesting that acupuncture can both raise and diminish peripheral blood components, thereby regulating the body toward homeostasis. 9
5. Gate Control Theory: Acupuncture activates non-nociceptive receptors that inhibit the transmission of nociceptive signals in the dorsal horn, "gating out" painful stimuli. 11
2. Autonomic Nervous System Theory: Acupuncture stimulates the release of norepinephrine, acetylcholine and several other types of opioids, affecting changes in their turnover rate, normalizing the autonomic system, and reducing pain. 10, 11
3. Vascular-interstitial Theory: Acupuncture effects the electrical system of the body by creating or enhancing closed-circuit transport in tissues. This facilitates healing by allowing the transfer of material and electrical energy between normal and injured tissues. 9
4. Blood Chemistry Theory: Acupuncture affects the blood concentration of triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids, suggesting that acupuncture can both raise and diminish peripheral blood components, thereby regulating the body toward homeostasis. 9
5. Gate Control Theory: Acupuncture activates non-nociceptive receptors that inhibit the transmission of nociceptive signals in the dorsal horn, "gating out" painful stimuli. 11
Resources:
- 1. “A review of the incorporation of complementary and alternative medicine by mainstream physicians”, Astin, JA., et. al., Arch Intern Med., 1998; (158).
- 2. The Institute for Work & Health, “Massage for Lower Back Pain”, Spine, 2009, July 15: 34 (16).
- 3. “German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Lower Back Pain”, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007; 167(17).
- 4. Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, “Acupuncture Just as Effective Without Needle Puncture”, Science Daily, December 1, 2008, study conducted by the at Linkoping University and the Vardal Institute in Sweden.
- 5. “Effects of Acupuncture of Pregnancy and Live Births Among Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, British Medical Journal, 2008: 336: 545, published February 7, 2008.
- 6. “Immunomodulatory Effects of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Allergic Asthma: A Randomized Controlled Study”, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Vol 6, Issue 6, 2007.
- 7. Neuro-acupuncture, “Scientific evidence of acupuncture revealed”, Cho, ZH., et al., 2001.
- 8. Acupuncture – A scientific appraisal, Ernst, E., White, A., 1999, p. 74.
- 9. Acupuncture Energetics, “A Clinical Approach for Physicians”, Helms, Dr. J., 1997, pgs 41-42, 66.
- 10. National Institute of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture, “Acupuncture Activates Endogenous Systems of
- Analgesia.”, Han, J.S., 1997 (Bethesda, MD).
- 11. Neuro-acupuncture, “Scientific Evidence of Acupuncture Revealed”, Cho, ZH., et al., p.116.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
• Addiction Issues
• Acne
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Autoimmune Disease
• Bronchitis
• Cancer Pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue
• Colitis
• Common Cold
• Constipation
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dental Pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dysmenorrhea
• Emotional Problems
• Endometriosis
• Acne
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Autoimmune Disease
• Bronchitis
• Cancer Pain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Chronic Fatigue
• Colitis
• Common Cold
• Constipation
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dental Pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dysmenorrhea
• Emotional Problems
• Endometriosis
• Eye Problems
• Facial Palsy
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Incontinence
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• IBS
• Low Back Pain
• Menopause
• Menstrual Issues
• Migraine
• Morning Sickness
• Nausea
• Neuropathy
• Neurological Disorders
• Facial Palsy
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Incontinence
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• IBS
• Low Back Pain
• Menopause
• Menstrual Issues
• Migraine
• Morning Sickness
• Nausea
• Neuropathy
• Neurological Disorders
• Pain - Any Type
• PMS
• Pneumonia
• Postoperative Recovery
• PCOS
• Reproductive Care
• Rhinitis
• Sciatica
• Shingles
• Shoulder Pain
• Sinusitis
• Sleep Disturbances
• Smoking Cessation
• Sore Throat
• Stress
• Thyroid Disorders
• Tonsillitis
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Vomiting
• Weight Management
• PMS
• Pneumonia
• Postoperative Recovery
• PCOS
• Reproductive Care
• Rhinitis
• Sciatica
• Shingles
• Shoulder Pain
• Sinusitis
• Sleep Disturbances
• Smoking Cessation
• Sore Throat
• Stress
• Thyroid Disorders
• Tonsillitis
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Vomiting
• Weight Management
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is quite safe when performed by professionals who are trained, certified and licensed. All licensed acupuncturist's today use single use, sterile, disposable needles in addition with universal health care precautions, to ensure safety.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture needles are quite thin, about the thickness of three human hairs and rarely if ever cause pain. Most people report feeling warmth, heaviness or a slight tingling sensation where needles are inserted. Many find acupuncture to be relaxing and as a result fall asleep during treatment.
Size comparison
What if you don't like needles?
Acupuncture is just one of many modalities used in TCM in order to treat an individual. Other modalities that don't involve the use of acupuncture needles are acupressure, auricular ear seeds, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping therapy, dietary therapy, gua sha therapy, moxibustion, qigong, and tui na (medical massage).
How many treatments will you need?
The number of treatments each person will need will vary greatly depending on many factors. Acute illnesses tend to only need a few treatments, while chronic illnesses tend to need multiple treatments before improvements may be seen. As a general rule of thumb, patients should complete a course of treatment 10 - 12 treatments, after which a full case review is done to assess what the results were based off the treatments that were performed and on the improvements that were reported. After a full case review is done, a better determination can be made for what may be needed in regards to future care recommendations.
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese herbal medicine is a modality of TCM, where mixtures of medicinal herbs are selected and combined together based off specific energetic and healing properties, as well as on the TCM pattern diagnosis in order to create an individualized herbal formula that’s tailored to a patients presenting illness. Medicines are constructed in such a way that they minimize side effects while maximizing beneficial results and have been used extensively over thousands of years due to the fact that their safe, effective, and all natural.
What are herbal medicines made out of?
Chinese herbal medicines are composed primarily of plants and minerals. If you have allergies, are vegan, or have other dietary restrictions tell your practitioner before hand so that they can accommodate your specific needs accordingly.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Cash, check, or credit card all acceptable forms of payment.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, currently we are in-network with HealthPartners insurance only.
Patients with HealthPartners insurance should be aware about what health conditions are potentially covered.
* If you do not have Health Partners Insurance, then we can provide you with a medical superbill, which you can then submit to your insurance for reimbursement purposes.