What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese traditional method for helping people to stay well, as well as for treating symptoms when they are ill. Acupuncture involves insertion of thin, metal needles into various parts of the body. The stimulation of these points helps the body to stay in or regain balance. Being in balance helps people with many symptoms and is used all over the world.

Is the use of acupuncture and herbal treatments safe?

Acupuncture is performed using sterile, disposable needles so there is no possibility of contamination from someone with a blood-borne disease such as hepatitis or HIV. Herbal treatments are specific to an individual and I will provide information if there are any precautions or side effects. Many of our current conventional medicines are made from herbs too.

Common symptoms or problems that can be treated using acupuncture alone or in combination with herbs include:

General: depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, excessive perspiration, night sweats, car and sea sickness, weight management, alcohol cessation, smoking cessation.

Head: conjunctivitis, hair loss, headache, hearing problems, rhinitis or colds, sinus infections, ringing in the ears, toothache, TMJ, dizziness/vertigo, migraine, sore throats, migraine headaches, myopia.

Skin: allergies, common or neurologic dermatitis, rashes, eczema.

Respiratory: breathing problems, shortness of breath, bronchitis, asthma.

Digestive: constipation, diarrhea, anorexia, gastritis, hiccups, excess acidity, colitis, excess gas, esophageal spasm, anorexia.

Urological: pain on urination, enuresis[bedwetting], impotence, incontinence, prostatitis.

Orthopedic: fibromyalgia, pain in neck, arms, fingers or hands, legs or feet, wrist[carpal tunnel], tennis elbow, arthritis, bursitis, sciatica.

Neurological: numbness, paralysis, trigeminal or other types of neuralgia, chorea, peripheral neuropathy, Meniere’s disease.

Other types of pain or injury: car accidents, work injuries, sports sprains or injuries, pain after surgery.
 
Treatment with Chinese medicine can help people build immunity to fight symptoms in general and feel well. It can also help people using conventional treatment and surgery for serious diseases such as cancer with side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

If you have any questions about whether Chinese medicine using acupuncture or herbs could help you, please call Dr. Lu at 602.954.2678.