Acupuncture 101 - What You Need To Know
Having been utilized in China for millennia, acupuncture is quickly becoming recognized as a mainstream alternative to conventional medicine in the United States. Known for its efficacy, research shows that acupuncture treats many illnesses – from the common cold to chronic pain or fatigue. Dr. Zachary Hurt provides an effective approach to acupuncture by bridging the gap between ancient Chinese theories and modern evidence-based research to provide exceptional patient-centered care.
What Does Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture treats a WIDE variety of common illnesses/conditions – both acute and chronic. Acupuncture is also great to help keep you “tuned up” and performing optimally. Below is a list of commonly treated conditions:
- Regional Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
- Sports Related Injury
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Facial Pain/TMJ
- Bell’s Palsy
- Headache/Migraine
- Induction of labor
- Morning Sickness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Postoperative Palliative Care
- Stroke Complications
- Hyper/Hypotension
- Leukopenia (low white blood cells)
- Chemo/Radiation Palliative Care
- Allergies/Allergic Rhinitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Depression/Anxiety
- Infertility
- PMS/Heavy Menses
- Gastritis
- Asthma/COPD
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Insomnia
- Food/Drug/Alcohol Addiction
- Nerve Damage/Paralysis
Will Acupuncture Hurt?
A common misconception with acupuncture is that it will be painful or uncomfortable. This is absolutely NOT true. The size of each needle is roughly the width of a single hair. Around 40 acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of one hypodermic needle (a needle used to withdraw blood).
The only sensation you should typically feel is heaviness or achiness around the needle insertion site. Typically patients report that acupuncture sessions are very relaxing – sometimes to the point where a patient will fall asleep during the treatment. Our goal is to ease your pain, so if at any time a needle feels uncomfortable, the needle will be either repositioned or removed.
What Should Be Expected?
Your first acupuncture session will last around 1 hour and will consist of a brief intake discussing your chief concerns and medical history, a Chinese pulse and tongue examination, and the acupuncture treatment. Each treatment after the initial visit will generally last about 30 minutes, as there will be a shorter intake and more treatment time.
A common question concerning acupuncture is how many treatments does it take before results are achieved. While there is not one answer for every person, it generally takes more treatments the more chronic the condition. Someone that has recently sprained his or her ankle will respond faster to treatment than someone with a 10-year history of rheumatoid arthritis.
