Medical acupuncture is a system which can influence three areas of health care:

1. Promotion of health and wellness
2. Prevention of illness
3. Treatment of various medical conditions

Most people associate acupuncture with pain control, but in the hands of a well-trained physician, acupuncture has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or it can be used to support other forms of medical treatment. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in a wide range of medical problems, including:

• digestive disorders
• respiratory disorders
• neurological and muscular disorders
• urinary, menstrual, and reproductive disorders

Acupuncture can also be useful in resolving physical and emotional problems related to tension, stress, and emotional conditions.

The number of treatments needed varies from person to person and condition to condition. For complex or chronic problems, 1-2 treatments for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, fewer visits are usually needed, and for health maintenance and wellness, four sessions a year may be all that are needed.

There are usually no side effects to acupuncture treatment. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are released and healing begins to take place. Occasionally, symptoms may worsen for a few days, or there may be changes in your pattern of appetite, sleep, bowel and bladder habits, and emotional state. These should not cause any concern, as these changes are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. Personal counseling records are held in strictest confidence. Information will not be provided to any third party unless a signed release authorization from the client is in our records.

People experience acupuncture needling differently. Some feel minimal pain, some feel none at all. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid, and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth, unlike hypodermic needles that are hollow and have a cutting edge. Insertion into the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and irritation is less than when using a hollow needle. Because your doctor uses sterile disposable needles, there is no risk of infection from the needles.

In the past 2000 years, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than all other types of health treatment combined. Today, acupuncture is widely used in Asia, Russia, and Europe. It is being used more frequently in America. Acupuncture treatment can be given at the same time other techniques are being used. It is important that your physician-acupuncturist know all the types of treatment you are receiving, so he or she can help you get the most out of all your treatment. You don't have to believe in it for acupuncture to work. Acupuncture has been used successfully on dogs, cats, horses, and other animals. These animals don't understand or believe in the process that helps them get better. A positive attitude toward health and wellness in general has been scientifically proven to reinforce the effects of all types of treatment, just as negative attitudes hinder the effects of any form of treatment. A neutral attitude ("I don't know if this works or not") will not block treatment results. People experience acupuncture needling differently.

To enhance the value of treatment, the following guidelines can help:

• Don't eat an unusually large meal before or immediately after your treatment
• Don't over-exercise, over-exert, or consume alcoholic beverages within 6 hours before or after a treatment
• Plan your activities so that after the treatment you can get some rest. This is important particularly for the first few visits.
• Continue to take any prescription medicines as instructed by your physician. Substance abuse in the week prior to treatment or between treatments can hinder results
• Keep good mental or written notes of your response to treatment. This will help your doctor to know how the treatments are affecting you, so that follow-up treatments can be properly scheduled to help your continued improvement.