Acupuncture is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that has been used over the centuries to treat a variety of ailments and diseases, such as allergies, addictions, weight loss, fertility, and most often, pain management. It is viewed as an integral part of holistic health and wellness.
The Process
Acupuncture is a unique medicinal practice that is done by inserting thin needles at varying depths in specific places in the body. The theory behind acupuncture is that the life force, or qi, is blocked and must be unblocked. Energy pathways, called meridians, which are thought to run along the body, determine the exact spots for needle insertion. There are over 2,000 insertion points along the human body.
Benefits
Acupuncture has often been compared with hypnosis due to its ability to evoke a state of inner calm as blocked energy channels are opened, allowing for the free flow of healing energy. It has often been combined with aspects of western medicine to bring about healing and wholeness. Acupuncture seeks to treat the ailments at the source, rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
Risk Factors
Acupuncture is not without risks, but the risk factors are significantly lowered by receiving services from a qualified acupuncturist in Freeport ME. Make sure that your acupuncture practitioner uses sterile, packaged, single-use needles.
The people most at risk for any complications during services include someone with a bleeding disorder or who is taking blood thinning medication, as the chances of bleeding or bruising during the insertion of the needles is increased. Anyone with a pacemaker should avoid the application of electrical impulses applied to the needles, as this could interfere with the activity of the pacemaker. Pregnant women should take caution and first consult their doctor or midwife, as labor could be induced with certain insertion points.
What to Expect
When you first meet with your acupuncturist in Freeport ME, he or she will inquire about your specific health issues, symptoms, and habits. He or she will likely examine the parts of your body giving you pain, the shape, color, and coating of your tongue, your facial color, and the strength and rhythm of your pulse. This first evaluative appointment may take up to an hour. Subsequent acupuncture treatments will likely take about half an hour and be completed routinely, depending on the severity of your need.
During each treatment, three basic steps are followed: needle insertion, needle manipulation, and needle removal. The number of needles and length of time in which they remain in your skin depends on your individual health issues.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.massagebyben.com/articles/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites 