When I began my training in
acupuncture I had never received an acupuncture treatment, taken herbs,
been cupped, or had moxibustion performed on me. I really didn't know
anything about Chinese medicine. All I knew was that I had to go study
it. I did not have a choice.
At that point in my life I was working on my B.S. in Biology in the
Midwest. Due to several factors it became clear that it was time for me
to start studying Chinese medicine. I applied to Five Branches
University in Santa Cruz, withdrew from the university I was attending,
and called my mother to tell her she was coming out to Missouri in a few
weeks to help me move back to California.
Everything worked out and my life and the lives of many people are
much better thanks to Chinese medicine. I love continuing to share it
people whether it's through patients, family, friends, or educational
talks to high school students.
This post will educate you on the basics of Chinese medicine, its
history, and its current and potential future role in healthcare.
References include the World Health Organization, Blue Poppy Press, and
Marilyn Allen.
To begin we'll look at some of the basics of acupuncture, its role in
healthcare today, and the regulation of it as a healthcare profession:
- In California acupuncturists are primary care providers (PCPs).
- There is a growing demand for acupuncture and insurance coverage
from patients. If your plan doesn't cover acupuncture let your insurance
provider know you want it! Your insurance provider works for you and
you should be empowered when it comes to your access to healthcare.
- More hospitals in the United States are integrating acupuncture as
part of their patient care. In China and other countries acupuncture and
herbal medicine are fully integrated in the healthcare system. Western
and Chinese medicine used together is shown to provide the best results
for patients.
- In the United States ICD-9 codes are used to diagnose health
conditions. The rest of the developed world uses ICD-10 codes. We are
behind in many areas of healthcare in this country. In the near future
everyone will be moving to a new set of codes, ICD-11. With ICD-11, for
the first time, codes for traditional medicine will be included (IC-TM).
Because Chinese medicine is the fastest growing and most in demand
traditional system of healthcare in the world, the first set of IC-TM
codes are based on Chinese medical diagnoses. This means acupuncturists
will be able to code for conditions such as Liver Qi Stagnation and
Heart Blood Vacuity.
- Acupuncture is safe, clean, and effective. Licensed acupuncturists
receive over 3300 hours of graduate level education in Chinese medicine,
Western medicine, and clinical training. They are skilled in evaluating
patients from many angles and systems and integrating their knowledge
to provide the best, most effective care for each patient.
There is an already large, growing body of research on acupuncture
and its efficacy in treating many conditions. The World Health
Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture's effectiveness for over forty
common disorders, such as:
- Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders - toothaches, earaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis
- Respiratory Disorders - colds and flu, bronchitis, asthma, allergies, emphysema
- Gastrointestinal Disorders - food allergies, nausea, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, ulcers, colitis
- Circulatory Disorders - hypertension, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris
- Urogenital Disorders - cystitis, stress incontinence, neurogenic bladder, prostatitis,
- Gynecological Disorders - menstrual irregularity, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, menopause
- Musculoskeletal Disorders - Tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, TMJ
sciatica, low back pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia
- Psycho-emotional & Neurological Disorders - depression, anxiety,
insomnia, headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, intercostal
neuralgia, post-stroke paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus.
Next let's look at some of the basics of Chinese medicine:
- The "branches" of Chinese medicine are acupuncture, herbal medicine,
dietetics, bodywork, and health exercises (Qi Gong or Chi Kung).
- Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine, solid needles into
the body at specific points shown to be effective in the treatment of
specific health problems. These points have been mapped by the Chinese
over thousands of years. In the past few decades, electromagnetic
research has confirmed the existence and location of these points.
- Herbal medicine uses a variety of plants, animals, and minerals in
the treatment of illness. Chinese herbal medicine is extremely refined
in its administering of medicine. It combines many different substances
(anywhere from two to twenty ingredients) into formulas to customize the
medicine specifically to each patient and their condition.
- Bodywork includes adjustments, realigning bones and muscles, as well
as cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion. Cupping involves the suctioning
of glass cups to the body via heat to release the muscles, draw out
toxins, and stimulate the body's self-healing properties. Moxibustion is
a form of heat therapy that involves burning an herb, mugwort, in
different forms, either on needles, or directly on the skin.
- Chinese medicine is a holistic health approach that looks at
patterns on all levels of a patient's experience (physical, mental,
emotional) and gives the patient tools to participate in their healing.
Chinese medicine aims to empower the patient in their health and lives
and give them tools for personal transformation.
Following are some common questions asked about acupuncture:
How does acupuncture work?
- In spite of the research showing the efficacy of acupuncture in
treating many conditions, the actual mechanisms through which it works
is unknown in terms of Western medicine. Some people think
neurotransmitters, hormones, nerves, or other chemicals in our body are
involved.
- Traditional thought on mechanisms of action involve the flow of Qi
(an esoteric way of describing the function of the systems of the body)
through channels that cover the body much like nerves and blood vessels.
Acupuncture adjusts the flow of Qi in the body, bringing it to areas
where there isn't enough, and moving it out of areas where it is stuck.
- Basically, acupuncture brings the body into balance and sends messages to the body to tell it to heal itself.
Does it hurt?
- Acupuncture needles are typically not much thicker than a hair. In
fact, you can fit three hundred acupuncture needles in the hole of a
needle used to give injections and vaccines.
- In some cases you will not even know the needles are in place. Other times there may be some tingling, warmth, or heaviness.
- Most people find acupuncture extremely relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment.
- In the treatment of some conditions trigger points will be used
which can feel similar to receiving a deep tissue massage when needled.
- There are different styles of acupuncture and all feel a little different when performed.
When will it work?
- Patients often experience results in the first treatment. Some
atients experience an immediate total or partial relief of their pain or
other symptoms. This relief may last or some pain may return. In a few
cases, there may be no immediate relief only to notice the pain diminish
over the next couple of days. Generally, you should expect to feel
better.
- Treatment will happen over a period of time to fully correct an issue.
Acupuncture is a safe, effective system of medicine that continues to
grow in popularity throughout the world. If you have any questions
about Chinese medicine ask a licensed practitioner and receive a
treatment. Continue to empower yourself in your life and your
healthcare.
~Joshuah Ciafardone, L.Ac
WHO study on acupuncture
