Gig Harbor Chiropractor Explains Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture in Gig Harbor is a technique that stimulates energy points on the body to correct imbalances that can cause pain, nausea, headaches and much more. However, to truly understand Acupuncture, we need to first look at Chinese medicine-a medical system in practice for over 3,000 years. Chinese medicine acknowledges a vital force of energy existing in all living things called Qi (or Chi). In the human body, this vital force runs along pathways called meridians, which correlate to the body's organ, muscular and nervous systems.

Acupuncture uses spots along the body's meridians to "pin-point" the imbalance and correct the energy flow. When Qi (energy) is stagnated (blocked), we are more likely to experience pain as a result. In this scenario, Acupuncture accesses and redirects the Qi, allowing it to flow and the pain to dissipate. On the other side of the coin Qi may be in excess, causing irritability, stress and tension. Regardless of the excess or deficiency of energy in the body, Acupuncture's goal, like fine-tuning a radio, is to bring the body's energy back into balance.

What other techniques might a Gig Harbor practitioner of Chinese medicine use?

In the same way that a handy person will use the right tool for the right job, Chinese medicine has many sibling treatments that practitioners can utilize. Based on what therapeutic effect is needed, these treatments use various techniques to build, harmonize or reduce Qi.

• Chinese herbal medicine uses natural substances such as plants, bark, flowers, minerals and others to treat short-term and chronic imbalances. Herbal medicine is primarily used when a client is receiving treatment and when they are living and working in the world.
• Cupping, which has gained popularity in the West amongst massage practitioners, is an ancient Chinese technique using suction to draw out pathogens and increase Qi flow to a particular area.
• Electro-Acupuncture, a more modern method, utilizes an electrode machine similar to TENS unit to stimulate needle points. This therapy has become popular for sports injury recovery.
• Moxibustion is an external heat therapy involving the herb mugwort, lit and used to heat and tonify the body.
• Tui-na is a form of therapeutic massage which utilizes kneading, pressing and often rolling to treat musculoskeletal issues and improve the function of meridians, internal organs, tendons, bones and joints.

What else does Acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture at Fox Chiropractic Wellness Center is recognized for its ability to alleviate pain, sometimes with only a few sessions. However, many other conditions have proven to benefit from Acupuncture, including Sleep disorders, such as insomnia; mental and emotional disorders like anxiety and depression; respiratory infections, including acute bronchitis; digestive disorders like Gastric hyperacidity, ulcers and diarrhea; neurological disorders including, headache and migraine, early-stage facial palsy and many others.

Due to Acupuncture's clinical association with treating pain, some of the most common pain-related reasons clients seek Acupuncture are: "frozen shoulder," "tennis elbow," sciatica, low-back pain and osteoarthritis, to name a few. One lesser-known thing about Acupuncture is its ability to reduce relapses for those who are managing addiction.

Acupuncture at a glance

Most Acupuncture needles are the width of human hair and are barely felt by clients. Acupuncture is safe for most everyone, including children, and without treatment of a specific ailment can also be performed as means to overall health and well-being. While an estimated 8% of Americans have tried Acupuncture at least once, less than 4% use it as part of their health care routine. When combined with suggested herbal remedies and proper diet, Acupuncture can greatly expedite desired results towards improved health and balanced energy. Call our team at Fox Chiropractic Wellness Center in Gig Harbor today to schedule an appointment.