What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a constantly evolving healing modality with over 3,000 years of recorded success. The therapy consists of the gentle insertion of fine sterile needles through the skin into specific points on the body in order to stimulate the energy, tissues, or anatomical structures within. Using these needles in addition to heat, pressure, and other tools an Acupuncturist endeavors to manipulate the flow of energy, fluid, and nutrients throughout the body, resulting in an internal environment more conducive to healing - thus resolving chronic issues, speeding recovery/ healing-time, and relieving a wide variety physiological & psychological distress.
Central to the practice of Acupuncture is the idea that Acupuncturists do not create healing – the incredible intelligence of our own body does this. Acupuncutre simply reminds the body that it is capable and directs it how to do so.
How does Acupuncture work?
There are many different interpretations regarding the physiological and energetic action of Acupuncture. Researchers and their studies suggest that a neurological mechanism called "Gate Control Theory" is a likely explanation of at least part of Acupuncture's effectiveness. Developed in 1965, this theory refers to neuro-mechanism which can easily be observed in controlled study:
When we experience pain, the area effected sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord where they are regulated and relayed to the brain. Only there can these impulses be interpreted as "pain." The areas of the spinal cord where this mitigation occurs are referred to in this theory as "gates," and many types of nerves deliver these potential pain signals there. When these gates are hit by too many impulses coming from one type of nerve (C-fibers), they become overloaded and effectively "close". This results in an interruption in the signals being transmitted to the brain and thus decreases our perception of pain. Acupuncture acts upon these specific nerve fibers, sending stimulation to the spinal cord and closing these gates to significantly decrease pain transmission.
However, the more effort spent in research - the more Western science is discovering that the end effect of Acupuncture is not the result of just one bodily mechanism, but rather a concert of various effects which yield pain relief and accelerates healing. Acupuncture encourages vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels ) in the areas of application, which yields increased blood circulation and speedier delivery of nutrients, while also facilitating the removal of the immune system's inflammatory factors. Acupuncture additionally catalyzes the production of endogenous (internal - our own) endorphins, hormones, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Many of these compounds and hormones are indeed those used to model synthetic copies which have become some of our most effective drugs. By producing these substances Acupuncture has the net effect of decreasing systemic inflammation. This, in turn produces beneficial effects in a huge variety of bodily systems and on a wide spread of diseases or disorders which generate inflammation and persist as a result of it. Thus through the current biomedical lens, we can understand that Acupuncture achieves its effects primarily by decreasing pain and mitigating systemic inflammation.
Throughout the history of Eastern Medicine, Acupuncture has been considered a fundamental tool in the manipulation of the internal network of energy in our bodies. This energy can be thought of as both ephemeral and more concretely physical: Think of the calories it requires to draw a deep breath - to simply contract the muscles. Then incorporate into this concept the electrical impulse that moves down our nerves to initiate this contraction, and the chemical reactions required in our cells to process the sugars and create the other molecules required to begin these nerve impulses and contractions. All of these levels are encapsulated in the concept of energy which Acupuncture refers to as "Qi."
This Qi flows through our bodies in discrete pathways known as Meridians, and they ideally move without interruption to every area, tissue, and organ in our bodies. Acupuncture needles and tools are used to manipulate this energy, removing accumulations and blockages, and reminding the body of the direction and manner in which this energy should optimally flow. Thusly, Acupuncture creates the opportunity and the circumstances for the body to succeed.
What can Acupuncture Treat?
In the United States, Acupuncture is most readily implemented as a modality for Pain Management – its success in this arena been repeatedly recognized in the world of formal medical research. To this point the FDA recently released a new set of guidelines officially recommending Acupuncture as an alternative to pharmaceutical interventions for pain such as Opioids.
However, Acupuncture can be used to treat a vast array of internal and external conditions. It was not initially developed only to mitigate pain, but rather as a complete system of medicine. As such, it has had thousands of years of recorded success in treating a wide variety of physical, psychological, and systemic disorders. An incomplete but common selection of these include:
Cardiovascular Disorders: hypertension, circulatory disorders
Respiratory Disorders: seasonal allergies, asthma, common cold, sinusitis, rhinitis
Digestive/ Gastrointestinal Disorders: acid reflux, IBS, constipation/diarrhea, bloating
Gynecological Disorders: dismenorrea, amenorrea, menorragia, PMS, menopause symptoms
Musculo-Skeletal Disorders: acute or chronic injury, sprains, or strains, low back pain, sciatica, arthritis
Psychological Disorders: depression, anxiety, PTSD, insomnia, hypersomnia
Skin Disorders of a wide variety
Withdrawal Symptoms
What can I expect?
The experience of an Acupuncture treatment varies significantly between people and even between individual sessions. The treatments are directly informed by the state of the mind and body at the time of your appointment. However there are some experiences that are fairly common: Frequently patients experience sensations of heaviness or subtle aching at the site of needle insertion and/or a sense of deep relaxation during and after treatment. Very occasionally there may be very brief moments of discomfort, or moments where patients become profoundly emotional. All of these experiences are completely normal, and indeed are indicative of forward movement & positive progress.
During specific therapies or when working on specific sites of the body we may look to elicit more specific sensations, however most patients find these experiences comfortable or even pleasurable. After your treatment it is equally common to feel energized as it is calm and relaxed.
It is important to arrive at the time of your appointment well hydrated and well fed. If you have not put any energy into your body that day we will have less energy to work with, and therefore less profound results.
Can I use my FSA/ HSA to pay for Acupuncture?
Yes! We are more than happy to accept payments through your FSA or HSA programs. Please be sure to bring your payment card with you at the time of your appointment.
Does my insurance cover Acupuncture?
Currently Ives Acupuncture participates as an Out-of-Network Provider with all Major Insurers. We are happy to help with submission by providing the necessary documentation your insurance company will require for reimbursal.