Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one modality of Oriental Medicine. Very fine, sterile, one-time use needles are inserted into specific points on the skin to adjust and regulate the flow of energy in the body. Gentle physiological responses occur, which create the circumstances for the body and mind to re-balance, release pain and heal. Dawn practices Traditional Chinese acupuncture, Tan Balance Method and some Japanese acupuncture techniques as well. She may also use non-needle techniques, such as acupressure, press pellets and moxabustion on acupuncture points for those who prefer to not have needles.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Not generally. The needles are very thin, similar to a cat's whisker. In fact, about 10 acupuncture needles can fit inside the hole in a typical hypodermic needle. Some patients feel a light pinch upon insertion, but once the needle is in place, any unpleasant sensation dissipates. Most people fall into a deep relaxation during treatment and many patients find the whole experience to be relaxing, rejuvenating and enjoyable. On children, acupressure, massage, cupping and press pellets are used instead of needles, along with herbal supplementation and nutritional recommendation.

Is Acupuncture safe?

Yes, when performed by a trained professional. The needles are made of stainless steel and are sterile, individually-packaged and disposable. No needle is ever used twice, so there is virtually no risk of infection.

Can I combine Acupuncture with my current medical treatment?

Yes. Though acupuncture can stand alone for many conditions, it may also be used as a complementary therapy to conventional medicine. In fact, acupuncture is recommended by many infertility specialists, neurologists, orthopedists, internists and oncologists to complement their own therapies. Acupuncture is also the perfect adjunct to massage therapy, chiropractic treatment and other alternative therapies.

How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will I Need?

The length, number and frequency of acupuncture treatments will vary. After your first visit, Dawn Balusik will have a much clearer understanding of what you will need and will make her recommendation then. 

Generally, acute problems require less time and frequency of treatment. For example, an acute sprain may require only one treatment, whereas more chronic or severe ailments may require several (or several dozen) treatments. Positive results are generally seen after the first to sixth treatment.

Typically, treatments last from 25 to 60 minutes, with the patient being treated one or two times a week to start. You will schedule your appointments further and further apart once your condition has improved satisfactorily. Once people are well, they come in only once every 4 to 8 weeks for maintenance “tune-ups”.

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture directly accesses the Life Energy, or Qi (“chee”) that was discussed in the Oriental Medicine page. Over thousands of years, the Chinese mapped pathways along which this Energy flows in human beings. These pathways, known also as Meridians, can be likened to rivers. They carry Qi to all organs, tissues and cells in the body, ensuring proper physiological and structural functioning.

Acu-points are specific areas on the skin through which the Qi in the Meridians can be accessed. Though the Chinese have had knowledge of these points and their locations for thousands of years, Western science is starting to confirm their existence and locations, through electromagnetic research.

These acu-points are the insertion sites of acupuncture. The needles directly regulate the flow of the Qi in the Meridians, correcting imbalances and improving flow, thereby promoting harmony within the body and assisting the body's own built-in healing mechanisms.

What does Western science say about Acupuncture?

"The data in support of acupuncture is as strong as that for many accepted western medical therapies....One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions."
- 1997 National Institute of Health Consensus Conference on Acupuncture.

In Western medical research studies, acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system, positively affect the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, increase secretion of digestive juices and enzymes, stimulate production of red and white blood cells, and regulate hormonal balance. It also stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" brain chemicals.

Many hospitals, rehab centers, infertility clinics, and well-respected cancer care facilities have already integrated acupuncture into their treatment services. As more research confirms the efficacy of this gentle and safe medicine, acupuncture is becoming more sought after.