What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine therapy that is backed by a large body of scientific research. It relieves pain and treats disease by restoring the normal flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”), the energy or life force that flows through the body. When Qi is blocked by stress, fatigue, poor diet, and other disturbances, it results in discomfort and disease. The goal of acupuncture is to restore the flow of Qi, bringing the body into healthy balance. The World Health Organization (WHO), the health branch of the United Nations, lists more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture may be useful.
Researchers have identified several mechanisms to explain the effects of acupuncture. It stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins, mobilizes the immune system, and activates natural opioids in the brain that relieve pain and promote sleep. Acupuncture also triggers the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that positively affect health.
A typical acupuncture treatment involves the insertion of a dozen or so hair-thin needles into specific points that connect with deeper organs and tissues elsewhere in the body.
How Acupuncture Can Help You
If you’ve never experienced acupuncture, the idea that needles could relieve, rather than cause pain may be hard to fathom. But the sterilized, disposable needles used by the licensed acupuncturists at the Whitaker Wellness Institute are so thin that patients rarely feel anything more that a slight tingling sensation. After the needles are inserted, the lights are lowered, soft music is played, and you experience complete, healing relaxation. During treatments, which last 30 to 60 minutes, the doctor may slightly twist the needles occasionally to “grab” the Qi. Massage, heat, and electrical stimulation may also be used in conjunction with the needles. Some conditions clear up with one or two treatments. However, chronic health concerns may require multiple sessions.
In addition to serving as stand-alone therapy, acupuncture is an effective adjunct to our other innovative treatments at the Whitaker Wellness Institute. Thousands of patients with a wide variety of health conditions who have gone through our Back to Health Program have found that this comprehensive approach has allowed them to reduce or end their dependence on prescription drugs and live a happier, healthier life.
What Conditions Benefit From Acupuncture?
Though it is most frequently used for pain relief, acupuncture’s wide-ranging effects make it a useful therapy for conditions affecting the digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, and more. Here is a partial list of conditions for which we use acupuncture therapy at the Whitaker Wellness Institute:
- Abdominal pain
- Addiction control
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Back pain
- Bronchitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cataracts
- Chronic fatigue
- Constipation
- Depression
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches/Migraines
- Hypertension
- Indigestion
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Menopausal symptoms
- Nausea
- Neck pain
- Parkinson’s disease
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Sciatica
- Smoking cessation
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Tinnitus
Additional Articles on Acupuncture
Click the links below to read more about acupuncture.
One-Stop Shop for Wellness
Renowned physician, author, and speaker, Julian Whitaker, MD, opened the doors of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in 1979. Since then, our clinic has helped more than 45,000 patients overcome serious health challenges and get back on the road to healthy living. We’re proud to offer nearly two dozen safe, innovative, healing therapies under one roof—that’s more than any other facility in the northern hemisphere. Just think of us as your “one-stop shop for wellness.”
To get started and find out how receiving acupuncture therapy at the Whitaker Wellness Institute can relieve pain, restore health and vitality, and alleviate a number of varied health concerns, click on the buttons below to schedule a complimentary consultation or contact us to learn more. You can also schedule your complimentary consultation or obtain more information by calling our Patient Services Representatives at (866) 944-8253.
