What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture refers to an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves putting needles into the body in particular areas. The treatment also includes massage and hot oil or wax therapies. This treatment has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that energy or chi flows through the body in different meridians, and the balance of this energy flow is vital for well-being. Any health issue or pain indicates that there is an imbalance in the energy flow in our body. Practitioners believe that inserting needles into meridians helps regain the balance of the energy flow.
In contrast, western medicine practitioners believe that acupuncture helps because needles at acupuncture points stimulate the nerves, muscles, and tissues that boost the secretion of natural painkillers.
Who is an acupuncturist?
A healthcare expert trained in acupuncture is known as an acupuncturist. When you visit acupuncturists near you, they use traditional and advanced technologies to evaluate and treat pain and illness. Acupuncturists get formal training in treating people of all ages.
In the United States, a medical doctor, doctor of chiropractic, physical therapist, or doctor of osteopathic medicine can acquire a license to perform acupuncture. In addition, other health professionals, such as registered nurses, can also qualify as acupuncturists. The requirements to practice acupuncture in the U.S. vary from state to state.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Acupuncture is not a one-sitting treatment, and it may take several sittings to observe the effects of the treatment. In addition, the results of acupuncture vary depending on the person and condition. Acupuncture effectively treats osteoarthritis, lower back and neck pain, menstrual pain and cramping, knee pain, and headache. In addition, it helps treat rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, nausea, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and tendinopathy.
Acupuncture is beneficial because patients can easily combine it with other treatments based on the doctor's examination and approval. It helps manage chronic pain conditions, and the risk of side effects is low. Acupuncture can also target numerous conditions at once. Lastly, it is also known to relieve stress or mental health issues among patients by boosting natural painkillers and balancing the energy in the body.
What are the risks involved in acupuncture treatment?
Acupuncture carries minimal risks when you receive treatment from a qualified, certified practitioner who uses sterile needles. You might experience some common side effects like soreness, slight bleeding, or bruising at the needle insertion sites. Today's practitioners use single-use, disposable needles as the standard practice, which greatly reduces your risk of infection. However, acupuncture may not suit everyone.
Before starting your acupuncture treatment, inform your practitioner if you:
- Have a pacemaker. Your pacemaker's function may be affected if your treatment includes acupuncture with mild electrical pulses to the needles.
- Are pregnant since certain acupuncture points may trigger labor, potentially leading to early delivery.
Can acupuncture help soothe symptoms of anxiety?
During anxiety, our sympathetic nervous system, i.e., our fright and flight system, takes over. Our parasympathetic nervous system, i.e., the rest and digestive system, is oppressed, and this is why breathlessness and a fast heartbeat are the most common symptoms of anxiety.
People often take the help of psychotherapy and medications, or a combination thereof, to treat anxiety, depression, and stress. However, acupuncture is becoming an alternative treatment for anxiety because other treatments take a long time to show effect, and medications have severe side effects.
Whereas acupoints in acupuncture, like the breastbone, between the eyebrows, ears, or insides of the wrists, can help relieve anxiety and stress. According to an acupuncturist at Henry Ford Health, Mathew Kulas, it is an effective treatment for anxiety because it stimulates the secretion of feel-good hormones and reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in the body.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses a whole system approach for health and wellness. Therefore, your acupuncturist may recommend a more nutritional diet and exercises or advise you to start/continue therapy.
Is acupuncture the same as dry needling?
Both dry needling and acupuncture use thin, sterile, stainless steel needles. The needles are inserted into the skin in both techniques to relieve pain. However, the processes are different. There are several distinctions between dry needling and acupuncture regarding their origin, methods, and objectives.
While acupuncture targets a large section of muscles and nerves, dry needling (especially the trigger point technique) focuses on the pain points in your body. Acupuncturists insert needles to help release endorphins, which positively react to your nervous system. On the other hand, dry-needling practitioners use needles to release muscle tension, cramps, and knots.
Finally, acupuncture has a long history and is quite well-regulated. Since dry needling is a more recent medical development, it still needs a set of universal guidelines.
What are some contraindications to acupuncture treatment?
Despite being a generally safe treatment for chronic pain, patients must avoid acupuncture in certain circumstances. The World Health Organization guidelines on standard training and safety in acupuncture state that although evaluating absolute contraindications for acupuncture is challenging, one should strictly avoid it in medical and surgical emergencies, pregnancy, malignant tumors, and bleeding disorders.
Furthermore, acupuncture is unsuitable for patients with acute stroke, diabetes, cancer, ongoing skin infection, epilepsy, or clotting disorders. Other absolute no-go areas for acupuncture treatments include:
- patients with uncontrolled movements
- needling of oedematous limb
- areas of spinal instability
- areas of scars, wounds, or sensory deficit areas
- a hemophilic patient
What to expect from an acupuncture treatment?
During your first visit to an acupuncturist near you, they will assess your medical history and identify your health concerns. Next, they will examine your body for areas and points that would react positively to acupuncture. After identifying these areas, they gently tap and insert the needles into your body. The needles are inserted in various depths ranging from less than an inch to a few inches and can stay in for up to 20 minutes.
While you might feel a slight prick when your acupuncturist inserts the needles, it is much less painful than getting your blood drawn or injections because acupuncture needles are much thinner than medical needles. Additionally, they are hollow and not solid, unlike medical needles. The needles might also cause dull aches or tingling sensations. If you feel deep heaviness or numbness, inform your acupuncturist. Usually, it implies the treatment is working.
It is recommended not to drive after your acupuncture treatment - especially during the first session. Acupuncture has a calming effect, and it is best if you rest for 1-2 days after the first session without engaging in any strenuous activities.
How to care for yourself after an acupuncture appointment?
Your acupuncturist will likely suggest several steps for your self-care following treatment, particularly in the first 24 hours.
- Take time to rest even if you feel energetic. Skip any intense physical activities.
- Consume nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, and protein. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
- Skip ice packs as they might disrupt your body's energy flow. You can safely use heat packs instead.
- You can also get a massage, which might enhance acupuncture benefits for certain conditions like cervical spondylosis.
The pain you feel during your treatment typically goes away once the session ends. If you develop any bruising from the treatment, it will usually fade within a few days.
Call your doctor or acupuncturist if you notice any unusual symptoms following your treatment.
Types of acupuncture
China and many other Asian countries have practiced acupuncture for many years. Over time, various kinds of acupuncture have emerged, each with its distinct treatment approach. Some types of acupuncture include:
Five-element acupuncture is a type of acupuncture that emphasizes the five elements of nature: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Practitioners of the method believe that each element correlates to specific organs in the body and that imbalances in these elements can cause illness.
It is most effective for people suffering from emotional issues, hormonal imbalances, and other organ dysfunction-related diseases.
Japanese acupuncture is a gentler style of acupuncture involving finer needles and shallower placement. This approach uses probing techniques to find spots and focuses on the general balance of the body rather than specific symptoms.
Japanese acupuncture is renowned for its delicate and mild approach, making it ideal for persons who are sensitive to aggressive needling procedures, as well as for headaches, menstruation issues, and anxiety.
Electroacupuncture is a type of acupuncture that involves the use of electrical stimulation. Practitioners of this style use needles attached to an electrical pulse generator. This technique is often used for pain relief and other problems. Electroacupuncture is most suited for treating chronic pain, musculoskeletal diseases, and neurological problems.
Auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) involves using acupuncture points on the ear. Practitioners of this method believe that the ear is a microsystem of the body and that stimulating these areas can treat various problems. Auricular acupuncture is most effective for people who are suffering from addiction, anxiety, or chronic pain.
Scalp acupuncture involves using acupuncture points on the scalp. Scalp acupuncture is most effective for treating stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological illnesses.
Locate the best acupuncturists near you in Portland, Oregon
When searching for an acupuncturist for you or your family, looking for factors like experience, licenses, and past success records is crucial. However, this can take up a considerable chunk of your time, but not anymore.
With Zocdoc, you can find the best acupuncturists in Portland, Oregon, in just a few minutes. You only need to enter your symptoms, location, or insurance plan in the search bar, and Zocdoc will list the practitioner profiles that are nearby and in-network.
You can have multiple insurance plans linked to your Zocdoc account, but you have to select one to use for each appointment booking. You can provide information about any additional insurance you have during the booking process or on the provider's intake forms. Reach out to Zocdoc's patient help center for any questions about your health insurance.
In addition, these profiles have all information about the practitioner's certifications, experience, age, specialty, awards, licensure, accreditation, etc. Zocdoc enables patients to have verified past patient reviews and ratings to keep the process transparent. Reading them lets you understand the practitioner's approach and ability and identify the best acupuncturists for your needs!
Once you have found acupuncturists near you with the required skills, you can book an in-person or virtual appointment with Zocdoc based on the practitioner's real-time availability. Some acupuncturists are also available after 5 p.m. or on weekends. So, go ahead, as appointment booking via Zocdoc is entirely free, quick, and secure!
Statistics about acupuncturists in Portland, Oregon
According to a May 2023 dataset from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were nearly 9.370 acupuncturists employed in the United States. There were about 570 acupuncturists in Oregon in 2023, with nearly 4.76 location quotient and 0.29 employment rate per thousand jobs.
As stated by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, acupuncture is gaining popularity as a treatment option for anxiety and other mental illnesses. Based on findings from a 2021-2022 Kaiser Family Foundation report, compared to the national average (about 23.1%), a more significant percentage of adults in Oregon (around 27.5%) reported having a mental disorder in the previous year. Further, according to another Kaiser Family Foundation report, nearly 35.3% of Oregon adults reported having an anxiety or depressive disorder between 2/01/2023 and 2/13/2023, compared to the national average of around 32.3%. In Oregon, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was about 30.9%.
Sources
MedicalNewsToday[1]
Henry Ford Health
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Physiopedia
Dotdash Meredith
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
World Health Organization
Kaiser Family Foundation[1]
Kaiser Family Foundation[2]
Healthline[1]
Cleveland Clinic
MedicalNewsToday[2]
Morningside Acupuncture
Healthline[2]
Mayo Clinic
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