What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient medical discipline developed by the Chinese. It involves the insertion of solid, thin, metallic needles into the human body and then activated through an acupuncturist's deliberate, gentle, calibrated movements or electrical stimulation. Although many insist that it has many benefits and can cure various conditions, its primary use is pain relief.
Based on beliefs held in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture was initially practiced by Chinese doctors as alternative medicine but has become prevalent worldwide. Practitioners believe the human body has over 2,000 unique acupuncture or pressure points connected via pathways (meridians) through which the qi energy flows. This energy is the basis of health in a human being. Any disturbance or disruption causes diseases and illnesses.
Acupuncture aims to restore this energy's normal flow, thus bolstering an individual's health and well-being.
How does acupuncture feel?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of multiple needles, as thin as human hair, into the skin. While many have reservations about the pain involved with this procedure, these needles are inserted at a specific point, inducing a sensation of pressure or ache only in that area. Patients report the intensity between minor pressure sensations and mild pricking.
The improper placement of needles can result in pain and discomfort during the treatment. Hence, it is essential to sterilize the needles before each procedure to prevent cross-contamination and infection. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates acupuncture needles just like other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.
In acupuncture, pressing a single point relieves a specific symptom, condition, or pain, while a series or pattern of points promotes the patient's overall well-being. In some instances, acupuncturists may heat needles and use small amounts of electricity to treat patients. Patients who undergo acupuncture report the after-effects as relaxing yet energizing. Acupuncture has the potential to support the healthy functioning of the immune and nervous systems, facilitating the body's natural healing processes during times of illness or injury.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture presents a holistic approach to wellness, offering patients a range of benefits for various health concerns. Whether it's promoting blood circulation or alleviating stress, acupuncture has several advantages. Here is how seeing an acupuncturist near you can benefit you:
- Stress reduction: Acupuncture treatment decreases stress and tension levels. By restoring the body's energy balance and stimulating the nervous system, acupuncture can significantly lower stress hormones, helping to alleviate stress.
- Eye strain relief: With the increased usage of electronic devices, many individuals experience eye strain and related issues. Acupuncture can help alleviate eye strain and improve vision by targeting specific acupoints and reducing stress on the eyes.
- Headache relief: Acupuncture can relieve chronic headaches and migraines by targeting facial acupoints to relax muscles and improve blood flow in the facial region, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
- Symptom management for neurological diseases: Acupuncture can improve motor coordination and reduce symptoms associated with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Bell’s palsy, and cerebral palsy, enhancing overall well-being.
- Digestive health support: Acupuncture sessions can help regulate the digestive system, providing relief from issues like loose stools, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and heartburn, thereby promoting better digestive health.
- Sleep enhancement: Acupuncture can address sleep issues caused by energy imbalances in the body. Regular acupuncture sessions can improve sleep cycles by enhancing energy levels and stimulating the nervous system.
- Blood pressure reduction: Acupuncture serves as an effective solution for lowering high blood pressure levels. Promoting proper heart function and enhancing blood flow contributes to managing blood pressure.
- Pain management: Acupuncture triggers the immune system and promotes overall wellness, making it beneficial for individuals experiencing pain due to surgery, cancer treatments, or medication side effects.
- Fertility support: Acupuncture can help regulate hormone production, improve blood flow, and enhance reproductive hormone levels, potentially aiding in fertility improvement for those experiencing fertility issues.
- Increase immunity: The immune system is the body's natural defense against various illnesses. Acupuncture helps to effectively improve it as an alternative to medicines and other supplements. Hence, people receiving acupuncture treatments are less likely to get sick.
- Improve the body's healing process: Acupuncture can also help accelerate an individual's natural healing process by stimulating specific acupuncture points. According to an article in the Pacific College of Health and Science, acupuncture helps people recover faster after cancer treatments or surgeries.
- Mental health support: According to an article on Verywell Health, researchers have conducted many studies to verify the efficiency of acupuncture in treating various conditions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and depression. The research reported the effects to range from mild to moderate. Moreover, the exact effects are unclear, but patients have reported feeling relaxed and alleviated from specific symptoms. However, patients must not rely on acupuncture as the only method for treatment.
- Improve skin health: Facial acupuncture, or cosmetic acupuncture, is known for improving the appearance of the head, face, and neck. However, further research is required to prove its efficiency.
Does acupuncture detoxify the body?
Acupuncture generally works as a detoxifying process for the body. Many people believe that after having an acupuncture session, their body experiences detox symptoms. This signals that the body is positively responding to the treatment and starting to heal from the inside.
Acupuncture serves as a stimulation process for the body. When a specialist inserts acupuncture needles at specific points in the body, they stimulate an energy push that eliminates toxins from the tissues. These are the toxins that accumulate due to poor diet, stress, environmental factors, etc. They are then redirected into the bloodstream. Here, they are processed and excreted. The detox symptoms are entirely normal and indicate that the treatment is effective.
The common detox symptoms you might experience after acupuncture are:
- Fatigue: The body requires a great extent of energy to detox and heal, which can make a person feel more tired than usual. However, there is no need to worry, as fatigue is entirely normal and signifies that the body is recovering.
- Headaches or mild nausea: When the toxins get released into the bloodstream, some people may get headaches or mild nausea. Again, these are normal and subside within two to three days.
- Emotional release: As acupuncture unearths pent-up emotions, it can cause an overwhelming sense of calm or sudden mood swings in some people. This emotional release is considered a healthy part of the detox process.
- Flu-like symptoms: Colds, flu, muscle aches, and mild fevers are common after acupressure. These are usually temporary and may resolve within a few days.
- Increased bowel movements or urination: Increased bowel movements or urination is yet another sign of detox. It signifies that the body is throwing out accumulated waste and may return to normal once it is done.
Typically, most of these symptoms die within one or two days, but since everybody is different and their bodies work differently, individual experiences can vary. For example, some people may not even experience symptoms, while others can take more than a few days. Besides, if your symptoms last longer than three days and you feel concerned, it is wise to talk to your acupuncturist. They may adjust or modify your treatment plan.
What are the risks of acupuncture treatments?
Risks associated with acupuncture are generally low, with a few side effects. It depends on the patient's existing condition and state. Therefore, you should always consult your doctor before booking an appointment with an acupuncturist near you. Obtaining acupuncture treatments from licensed professionals is crucial to ensure a safe experience.
Some of the possible risks include the following:
- Pain, discomfort, or bleeding: Some patients may experience pain or discomfort during or after the acupuncture treatment. However, the pain may be tolerated or negligible for other patients. Moreover, acupuncture can also cause bleeding or bruising if performed improperly.
- Infection: Acupuncturists must use sterilized needles during a treatment session. Unsterilized needles raise the chances of contracting infection at the needle sites.
- Organ injury: Improper needle insertion can cause organ damage or injury. They can also affect the nerves, blood vessels, spinal cord, and brain. Some complications can lead to death as well. However, the chances are rare.
- Fatigue: Some patients have reported experiencing dizziness or fatigue after an acupuncture treatment. However, the effects wear off after a short duration.
- Pregnancy concerns: Some acupuncture points and treatments can stimulate labor and contractions in pregnant women. As a result, it can cause premature delivery.
Things to consider when choosing acupuncture
Acupuncture, as a medical procedure, is not backed by modern medicine and remains controversial for most masses, especially doctors. Therefore, one must take certain precautions when considering acupuncture, such as:
- While acupuncture may not align with modern Western medicine practices, it is often most effective when used alongside other forms of treatment, complementing and enhancing overall therapeutic outcomes. Severe medical conditions like cardiopulmonary disorders and neurological illnesses must use contemporary medical procedures for primary treatment, with acupuncture to deal with pain and stress.
- Discuss with your doctor beforehand any medical complications, history, or special requirements you have or may need. Acupuncture, as a treatment, is meant for some. Patients with pre-existing conditions like chronic skin problems, pacemakers, infections, pregnancy, implants, or prescribed medication must inform their acupuncturist beforehand, as it can be risky to ignore them.
- Do not make medical decisions based solely on an acupuncturist's advice, diagnosis, or prescription. Refer to advice from other doctors before making any decisions that may affect your health, condition, or the course of your illness.
- Check with your insurance provider about the extent and coverage of the treatment. Discuss your acupuncture course's plan, intensity, sessions, etc., and stick to it with your providers.
- Choose a licensed acupuncture practitioner. One necessary precaution is thoroughly researching and locating the best acupuncturists near you. A general doctor can suggest referrals from their network and ascertain the practitioner's quality, coverage, and semantics through network and field knowledge.
Another practical approach is to consult friends or family members undergoing similar procedures. Their experiences can offer valuable insights and recommendations for finding suitable healthcare providers.
How can you find the best acupuncturist near you in Flushing, NY?
Zocdoc is a healthcare directory that has been helping users access quality healthcare for themselves and their loved ones for many successful years. Patients can use Zocdoc to locate, learn more about, and schedule appointments with qualified, licensed acupuncturists and other medical professionals in Flushing, New York. You can search using your desired keywords like medical specialty, city, qualifications, etc., and it will give you a list of the best acupuncturists near you.
Each healthcare provider has a unique profile containing details on their qualifications, accreditations, affiliations, awards, areas of expertise, experience, and licensure. For added convenience, you can sort these results using filters like the provider's gender, languages they speak, hospital affiliations, and whether they treat kids.
It is essential to verify whether your insurance covers the services of an acupuncturist. It ensures you can access the necessary care for your everyday health needs and emergencies without incurring out-of-pocket expenses, promoting a secure and protected future for you and your loved ones. Also, there is no need to worry about the safety of your insurance information. Zocdoc follows the industry's best practices and prioritizes its safety and protection. Click here to learn more about how we handle your data and privacy, and visit Zocdoc's patient help center for additional insurance-related assistance.
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Licensed acupuncture practitioners in America and the state of New York
Acupuncture has grown in prevalence and popularity since the turn of the century. In a recent study, the National Library of Medicine notes that America has seen a 257% increase in licensed acupuncturists between 1998 and 2018. With about 37,886 acupuncture practitioners in America as of 2018, America has come a long way in adopting this alternative medicine into its regimen.
New York has experienced similar trends, with approximately 4,081 licensed practitioners as of 2024. Counties like New York, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Suffolk, and Westchester feature the bulk of the medical profession, with a cumulative 3,209 license issues or a three-fourths portion total. This data is per a report published by the New York State Education Department.
Sources
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Pacific College of Health and Science
Britannica
New York State Education Department
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Mayo Clinic
Verywell Health
Red Leaf Wellness
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