What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging body wellness, to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles at very precise acupuncture points and sometimes applying heat or electrical stimulation. The needles are used to enhance the body's natural healing and pain relief capabilities. At Sugar Mill Chiropractic and Acupuncture, only disposable, pre-sterilized and pre-packaged needles are used.
Acupuncture is part of a complete medical system which originated in China over 3,000 years ago. They found over 360 points in the body and 200 points in the ear connect with different organs and their functions. Stimulating these precise points with needles helps to treat different conditions. The beauty of acupuncture is its safety and effectiveness without side effects.

What can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture influences three areas of health care, prevention of illness, treatment of various medical conditions and promotion of health. While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of our well-trained practitioners it can have much broader applications. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:

• Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, tennis elbow, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis.
  
• Muscular cramping from menstrual pains
  
• Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension stress and emotional conditions.
  If you have questions about a specific disorder or illness, our doctors at Sugar Mill Chiropractic and Acupuncture will be glad to answer them.
  

How does Acupuncture Work?

According to Chinese medical theory, channels of energy - what they call Meridians flows through channels between the surface of the body and internal organs. These energy channels, also called meridians, are like streams flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy streams is like a dam that gets blocked. Pain and disease are caused by an imbalance or a blockage of that energy flow. The placement of acupuncture needles at specific points can reestablish the regular flow through the meridians and unblock obstructions, restoring balance and returning the body to a healthy state. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their absorption, digestion and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.
In the Western modern scientific theory, targeting and needling acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release endorphins - the body’s natural painkillers - along with stimulating neuro-transmitters and neuro-hormones in the brain, muscles and spinal cord. These endorphins and chemicals can change the experience of pain or they can trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.
Research has shown that glucose and other bio-chemicals within your body can become elevated following an acupuncture treatment. The improved biochemical balance and energy produced by acupuncture can result in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and promote physical and emotional well-being.

Help, I’m a Little Scared of Needles!! Do the Needles Hurt?

People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most patients feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted; some feel no pain at all. Once the needles are in place, there should be no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are very thin and solid and are made from stainless steel. The point is smooth (unlike a hollow hypodermic needle) and insertion into the skin is not as painful as injections or blood sampling. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is less than when using a hollow needle.

How Many Acupuncture Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments needed differs from person to person. For complex or chronic conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required.

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is a timeworn form of alternative therapy where suction is imposed on the skin.  Cupping is often recommended to our patients to increase blood flow and enhance healing for effected areas.  Using heat or manual devices, our trained practitioners create a vacuum to relieve pain and escalate healing for the intended muscle area.  We are continuing and perfecting a healing method dated back as early as 3000 B.C. We modernized and continue this tradition to provide our clients with professional cupping therapy and relief.
Call Sugar Mill Chiropractic and Acupuncture today at 281.494.1690 to discuss how an acupuncture treatment can help you!
Also, you can learn more about acupuncture from these helpful links:
http://www.acupuncture.com/
http://nccam.nih.gov