Acupuncture Needles

When you think of acupuncture needles, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Nails? Tacks? I understand that many people have an intense fear of needles, but the rumor I'd like to start spreading about acupuncture needles is one that I learned from David Eisen, LAc, MSW, OMD(am), the Executive Director at the Quest Center for Integrative Health in NE Portland. He told us that an acupuncture needle is roughly the size of three human hairs. That's it!

While some needles are longer for different parts of the body, the size of needles aren't anything like what they used to be! Different styles often use different needles, such as a Japanese style, which is more superficial needling. The needles are lighter, thinner and coated to make insertion easier. Not to say that Chinese needles aren't like that, but a lot of techniques requires a slightly thicker needle due to a different technique that's applied. I'll discuss different techniques and styles in a future blog, but for now here are a few pictures for your perusing enjoyment.

Artistic shot of the handle of needles (really, they're quite small!)

Photo by: howaye

Flexible yet so efficient...

Photo by: ExpertVillage.com

Needling LI-4

Photo by: Girla Obscura

Single packaged needles

Photo by: ~crea

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Cupping

Cupping is one of my favorite TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) techniques to receive and to treat patients with. Although the outcome often looks quite scary (the round suction marks go away in a few days), it's actually an amazing therapeutic method that we can use to expel a variety of different diseases. A practitioner may decide use it if you present with the beginnings of a cold, asthma, pain, gastrointestinal problems and or one of many other issues. What you can expect: If a practitioner decides that cupping is the best therapy for you, he or she may first smooth a layer of a balm or salve on the area they will be working on in order to move the cups around smoothly. They will then light a piece of alcohol-soaked material or simply use a lighter, place it into the cup then rapidly pull it out and place the cup onto your skin. This creates a negative force which causes congestion and creates the suction where the cup has been placed. The practitioner may then slide the cups around to move the energy or stagnation in your body.

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Here is another cupping method called "flash cupping."

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Make sure you cover up the area that has been cupped for a few days- preferably until the cup marks heal. This is to prevent getting sick....again! Oh yes- please don't try this at home. There are potential burning risks involved and cupping should be performed by a trained practitioner.

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Medical Student Blog Writes About Acupuncture!

Photo by:Mitch Eaton/bodhi47

Graham Walker, a medical student at Stanford, has a fantastic blog that must be checked out! To be honest, the the fact that the name of the blog is in exclamations peaked my curiosity when my friend sent me the link. Graham has a interesting view of the Western medical world, and is an advocate for change in the medical system. Hooray!

His interview with Dr. Nicholas Genes is on the Medscape site, where they discuss the latest Michael Moore movie Sicko, the popularity of Graham's blog, and what he's done with it these past years. Very inspiring for beginning bloggers.

Digging further into his site, I stumbled on an article he wrote pertaining to his own personal experience with acupuncture. I liked his honesty, skepticism, and surprise at the end results. To me, it confirms that even when we don't understand something in the Western medical world, there may come a time when we have to have faith in the healing process and the ability of our body to heal itself.

p.s. I'm pretty sure 'acupuncture' can't be used as a verb.....

Technorati Tags: Over!My!Med!Body!, medical student blog, acupuncture,

Veterinary Acupuncture in Portland

When you think of veterinary medicine, acupuncture may not be on the top of your list. But it should be, as veterinary acupuncture is a wonderful alternative or complement to veterinary treatment. As pets age, they often become prone to arthritis and hip problems, which can lead to pain and suffering in both the pet and the owner.

Acupuncture is a drug-free alternative to animals who may not be able to handle all of the prescriptions, and to the pet owners who may not be able to afford it the expensive medications or surgeries. For animals, acupuncture is used as a preventative remedy as well as a healing medicine, just as it is for humans.

Check out this video to see veterinary acupuncture in action.

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There are several veterinarians in Portland who will treat animals with acupuncture. Laurelhurst Veterinary Hospital, Powell Boulevard Veterinary, and Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic have all been recommended to me by animal-loving classmates.

Search acufinder.com (yet another great search site!) to find more acupuncturists and to see if they treat animals. Or check the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture to see if there are any vets in your area who will treat animals with acupuncture.

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How Does Acupuncture Work?

Having had an avid interest in acupuncture for several years, it’s always good test of my knowledge and communication skills when friends and family ask, “So…..how does acupuncture work?” Indeed, that is the question we would all like to know. There are many different explanations I’ve heard and experienced, but I’m still far from the answer. Acupuncture is an ancient and respected medicine, and it can't be explained simply in one sentence.

One theory that seems to be widely accepted is that Qi (your life energy) flows though your body in a balanced manner in order to keep you healthy and free from pain. When the Qi is blocked or deficient, there may be pain, emotional distress, or disease. Acupuncture balances the energy of the body, therefore reducing pain and emotional distress either quickly or over a period of several sessions, depending on the disease or issue at hand.

To find out more about how acupuncture works, check out the entry on Wikipedia.

And for you Oprah fans out there, if you didn’t catch Dr. Oz and Daniel Hsu, LAc, explaining acupuncture on her show, check this out.

Technorati Tags: acupuncture, Qi, acupuncture theory

Looking for a Portland Acupuncturist?

Photo by mikefats

Looking for an acupuncturist in the Portland area? Don’t know where to start? Try the Oregon Acupuncture Association (OAA) website to find practitioners. The Oregon Acupuncture Association is an industry association for Oregon acupuncturists.

Or, you can check here to search for clinics in your area.

If you are looking for an LAc (credentials for a Licensed Acupuncturist) in another part of Oregon or a different state altogether, try acupuncture.com. It's a great site with a lot of information regarding acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

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Affordable acupuncture in Portland

Sorry about the hiatus in posts! Had to study for then sit my final exams, then recuperate for a few days.

While acupuncture is affordable to those who have health insurance or are able to pay out of pocket, there are many more who can’t afford $50-$95 per hour. Luckily for us, Portland has sprouted up several alternative treatment sites in the form of group acupuncture. Working Class Acupuncture, with its beautiful building, experienced practitioners, and easy location, offers a sliding pay scale to patients. Community acupuncture is spreading steadily across the country- check out nation-wide people who are starting clinics here. Having received treatments at both WCA and Brooklyn Community Acupuncture, I’d highly recommend checking out group acupuncture. It’s easy, affordable, and effective.

Instead of the standard one-person-per-room, the treatment is in a large space with several comfortable armchairs grouped together. Two or three practitioners treat all patients at the same time as you lounge and listen to soothing music (and possibly fall blissfully asleep like I did).

Group treatment is such a great option if you are lower on cash, and are comfortable having your treatment with a few other people. Most group treatment facilities also offer single rooms if you prefer or require a private treatment, which is also a great way to experience acupuncture for the first time.