Acupuncture
More than just pain management
Photograph by Yanik Chauvin/istockphoto
Acupuncture, a form of traditional Chinese medicine, was first introduced to the United States when a New York Times reporter traveling in China received acupuncture to relieve post-operative pain after an emergency appendectomy. That was in 1972.
Today, patients seek acupuncture for ailments as diverse as allergy relief, insomnia, sports injuries, stress management, and even infertility. Many insurance companies now cover part or all of the cost for acupuncture treatments (check with your employer or insurance carrier to verify your benefits).
From the Chinese medicine point of view, the goal of acupuncture is to rebalance a person’s life-force, or qi (pronounced “chee”), by inserting needles into the body on points along energy pathways called meridians. A person’s qi is thought to flow through these meridians. If the pathways are blocked or imbalanced, disease can occur.
Western medicine believes that acupuncture works by stimulating the central nervous system in a way that tells our spinal cord and brain to release hormones, which can reduce pain and improve our general wellness. Because the results are not permanent, multiple sessions may be required. However, studies have shown that acupuncture can increase one’s pain threshold, which allows for more relief in fewer sessions over time.
Neil Bernardi-Wright, a licensed acupuncturist with offices in Los Gatos and Santa Cruz, states that acupuncture is an appropriate avenue to investigate for curing just about anything. The obvious question is: Does it hurt? According to Bernardi-Wright, most people find acupuncture to be very relaxing and not painful. He emphasizes that the needles are very thin, unlike those used for injections.
If you are seeing an acupuncturist for the first time, you may be surprised at the wide range of questions you are asked before treatment begins. At a Western doctor’s office, you might be asked about your family’s medical history. An acupuncturist is more likely to ask you about the quality of your sleep and your digestion. Bernardi-Wright says this is to help confirm or deny a suspected diagnosis.
He states that another hallmark of acupuncture is to feel the pulse and check the state of the tongue, both which help with a diagnosis.
Choosing an acupuncturist
Look for a licensed practitioner with a good number of years of experience. In California you can go to acupuncture.ca.gov and click on License Verification to check a practitioner’s license status and disciplinary action history.
Seek a practitioner who is well trained in the area of herbs as well as acupuncture. Bernardi-Wright uses herbs in conjunction with acupuncture to help his clients extend the benefits of their treatments at home. In California, this training is required for licensing.
Try to find a practitioner who offers a free consultation. This is especially important if you have never visited an acupuncturist before. The consultation will allow you to ask questions and become comfortable with what the needles look like before you actually have any treatments.
