While acupuncture has been practiced for centuries in the East, it wasn't until 1971 that U.S. citizens really became aware of the technique. It was then that New York Times reporter James Reston, stricken with appendicitis while in Beijing, was treated successfully with acupuncture for post-surgical pain. In a front page Times story, Reston wrote, "I've seen the past, and it works!"

This exposure came at a time when many Americans were looking for a more holistic approach to health care, and it caused quite a buzz in the Western medical community. Since then acupuncture has become a widely accepted form of treatment in the U.S.

How Does Acupuncture Work?
According to the principles of TCM, qi flows through the body via 12 primary meridians or ‘energy channels’. Each meridian is associated with an organ or organ system in the body, and along these meridians, there are exact points where the energy of that organ can be accessed and manipulated with acupuncture needles.

If you are suffering from nausea, for example, needles might be inserted into points on your wrist, while a vision problem might be treated with needles in the foot. Why?  Because in addition to the surface acupuncture points which may be seen on an acupuncture point map, the meridians also have internal pathways which connect to and communicate with other organs in the body.  By manipulating the qi within the meridians, acupuncture helps smooth and regulate the flow of energy between the internal organs.

What Can You Expect?
After you have shared your health history and current concerns, the acupuncturist will look at your tongue, feel your pulse and make other observations. This information is used to formulate a diagnosis in the language of Traditional Oriental Medicine as well as to choose the most helpful combination of acupuncture points and to estimate how many treatments you will need.  Once this is determined, you will lie comfortably on the treatment table while the needles are inserted. 

Most people are not bothered by the needles and while there may be some initial discomfort on insertion, it is very brief.  You may feel a small, quick rush of energy at the point which is a good sign.  This sensation is called “Da Qi” (Daa-chee) and is an indication that the energy in that meridian is responding to the needle and has begun to move in the right direction.

Once the needles are in, you simply relax for 15-45 minutes. Many people even fall asleep during the treatment.  After the treatment you may feel either every relaxed or very energized.

Some patients notice rapid improvement after just a few sessions. In those whose conditions have taken years to develop, treatment may take longer.

What About Herbal Formulas?
If you go to any health food store or drugstore these days and read labels, you will find that more and more supplement companies are adding Chinese herbs to their vitamin products in an effort to get the attention of the holistic consumer who prefers natural remedies to drugs.

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to heal naturally without dangerous side effects, and are often extremely beneficial if not absolutely necessary as part of an acupuncture treatment plan. The key to success in taking herbs is all about choosing the RIGHT herbs and the RIGHT formula for YOU.  Wandering into your local drug store and guessing about what might work for you is not always the best idea, because while what you choose to buy might not hurt you, it might not help. Echinacea, for example, which is used to boost the immune system, doesn’t work for everyone, and in fact it doesn’t work at all for many people!  Single herbs alone are rarely cure alls for any ailment so many of these supplements with Chinese herbs sprinkled in can be a waste of money in terms of what you are trying to accomplish.

The ancient Chinese formulas have been around for thousands of years because they WORK and can be modified to fit your body and your particular ailment.

At San Francisco Acupuncture, herbal formulas, usually in convenient pill form are often prescribed as part of your treatment, and will help you to recover faster with little or no side effects.  Herbal formulas can be continued after a course of acupuncture treatment and can help you remain healthy or get healthier over time.  Our herbal formulas come from the best, most reliable companies in the business.

How Do I Choose an Acupuncture Practitioner?
There are about 15,000 licensed and certified acupuncturists in the United States. Here is some practical advice to help you choose an acupuncturist.
Be sure that the acupuncturist is certified by the state or national regulatory agency. Ask to see a current copy of the acupuncture license if you are not sure.  Visit www.acupuncture.com to find out where to inquire for your area.

Ensure that the office and surroundings are clean and comfortable and that there are no language barriers.  You should be able to communicate effectively, whatever language you speak, and you should feel at ease and comfortable doing so.

Call the office to find out if the acupuncturist has any experience treating the condition for which you are seeking help, and ask about the results.

Just as there are many different types of medical doctors, the same applies to acupuncturists.  There are many different methods of diagnosis and treatment.  While we are trained to treat hundreds of different conditions, acupuncturists will very often have special interests or are particularly talented at treating specific conditions such as women’s health or pain management.  While it is not always necessary to find an acupuncturist who specifically treats your type of health issue, it is important that you feel that the acupuncturist understands your problem and can explain to you in simple language what it translates to in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis (or whatever method he or she employs) and how he or she intends to treat you.

Many acupuncturists offer brief consultations (15-20 minutes) at no charge. Ask for one! 

If your condition is chronic and especially complicated, requiring extended consultation time (30 minutes or more), then a small fee should be acceptable in most cases. This is the best way to gather all of the above information so that you feel confident about your choice. If you feel pressured into beginning treatment when you are not quite ready, then you should consider checking out another acupuncturist. It is your health, your investment and your choice, so choose with confidence. Again, you are entering into a short or long term partnership with your acupuncturist to reach your health goals, and you should feel very comfortable sharing personal information about yourself.

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