As surgical complications can happen during surgery, post-surgical problems can likewise occur.  Some of these complications can include bruising, swelling, scarring, decreased range of motion, injury to surrounding tissue, paralysis, tingling, numbness, delayed healing time and infections.  With acupuncture many of these complications can be prevented; a shorter recovery time can be managed, lower pain levels are experienced, the risk of infection is minimized and the normal range of motion restored even with less time spent on physical therapy.

With the insertion of filiform needles acupuncture energizes the body’s immune response and transports more blood to the target area.  The addition of more blood in the area brings more nutrients and oxygen there, washes out the cellular debris from the effects of surgery and causes the movement of stagnant lymphatic fluid, which is the reason for swelling and infection in the affected area.  Because the immune function is boosted, more white blood cells and endorphins are produced to quickly heal the injured area and relieve pain from the wounds respectively.  The increased blood flow also helps to achieve relative mental and physical balance of the patient.

There is no doubt that acupuncture truly works. Proper documentation of its works for over 2500 years up to today has validated its effects and potency as a health booster.  Pain management clinics utilize acupuncture as much as possible to curtail the use of Cox-2 inhibitors and NSAID’s because the latter two have severe side effects on the body.  NSAIDS have been known to cause gastrointestinal bleeding while Cox-2 inhibitors such as Vioxx have been directly linked to heart attacks.  In contrast, acupuncture has been shown to improve cardiovascular function and boost the strength of the digestive system organs.  Surely with these kinds of benefits, anyone should consider undergoing acupuncture treatment for one’s after surgery recovery.  Acupuncture for this type of treatment can be augmented with Chinese herbal medicine to make the benefits even stronger and more effective.

Acupuncture New York is a uniquely Chinese medicinal art that uses needles inserted at specific acupuncture points in the body to cause a therapeutic effect treating many kinds of disorders.  Practitioners of this healing art believe that the needles enable life energy called chi to naturally flow all over the body that was otherwise impeded due to physiological or neurological problems.  The uses of acupuncture today are broad and can include the relief of pain, treatment of insomnia, muscle aches, headaches, migraines, addiction, extreme emotions (anxiety and depression) and severe stress among others.

These are some of the benefits acupuncture can bestow on the body and mind:

• With acupuncture, the body is rejuvenated, strengthened and refreshed.

• It greatly improves the body’s immune function.

• It is a very good reliever of pain, which makes the need for painkillers unnecessary.

• Acupuncture can facilitate healing shortening the healing time of injuries and conditions.

• Stress symptoms are considerably lessened and blood circulation is greatly increased with acupuncture treatment.

• Acupuncture does not have any kind of side effects to the body or mind and it can be used in combination with other medical treatments.

• Virtually anyone can get acupuncture treatment even if they are relatively healthy as acupuncture can boost the energy level of the body and increase body strength.

Psychological and neurological conditions are effectively treated with acupuncture as attested by the many sufferers of extreme emotions such as depression and anxiety who are now living normal lives because of acupuncture.  These former patients report a general happy and light disposition after their acupuncture sessions. Sleeplessness or insomnia which often accompanies anxiety and depression is also addressed by acupuncture.  For those tired of taking anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications which most of the time gives unsatisfactory relief, acupuncture may just be the answer you are looking for to alter your life into one filled with happiness and contentment.

Bellevue Acupuncture fortunately has a way to address problems of the circulatory system.  Acupuncture is grounded on the belief that there exist energy vessels inside the body called meridians that convey life giving energy called chi and blood all over the body.  Problems in the transport of chi make sickness and disorders in the body inevitable.  These problems can be because of poor diet, emotional disturbances and physical injuries.  Acupuncture works by inserting filiform needles into the meridians to restore the normal flow of chi to chi-deficient regions of the body.  Any energy blockages then are removed and energy flow is restored enabling the body to begin self-healing processes.

Poor energy distribution can cause a series of conditions ranging from hypertension, arteriosclerosis to cold feet and hands.  Numerous researches studies have shown the efficacy of acupuncture in addressing circulatory problems.  Acupuncture was proven to help improve the function and efficiency of the heart.  Some of these researches show that a significant majority of angina patients got better after treatment with acupuncture. Arrhythmia, tachycardia, palpitations and other heartbeat abnormalities can also be corrected by acupuncture.  Even arterial spasms in the collateral vessels can be treated by it as well as people suffering from Reynaud’s disease.

The problem with acupuncture treatment begins only when one selects an unlicensed poorly-trained practitioner.  The risk of pain during needle insertion, bleeding, bruising and infection because of poor hygiene procedures and of using non-disposable needles can happen if the acupuncturist is not qualified to practice acupuncture.  Be sure to choose acupuncturists who are licensed by the State since it means they are well–trained to practice this profession.  With regards to feeling pain, the needles should merely elicit a slight tingling sensation while they are inserted into the skin.  No pain should be felt during this process.  Some western acupuncturists have made some changes in the treatment procedure.  Some avail of modern technological methods such as laser, magnetic radiation and electricity to augment the potency of the treatment.  Acupuncture also is often complemented by herbal medicine to likewise augment its potency and to facilitate the healing process.

Acupuncture treatment under the hands of a licensed practitioner is a very safe and effective means of treating disorders, even emotional and psychological disorders.

Menopause is the phase of a woman where her childbearing years come to an end.  It starts somewhere between the ages 45 and 55.  It often causes very uncomfortable symptoms, which is due to changes in the progesterone and estrogen levels.

A very recent study showing how acupuncture works to mitigate menopausal symptoms showed that for the 50 postmenopausal women who participated in the study, the 27 given Chinese acupuncture twice a week manifested marked improvements from their symptoms, particularly the mood swings and hot flashes after ten weeks of treatment compared to those given sham acupuncture treatments.  However, other symptoms such as UTI and vaginal dryness were not addressed both on those given genuine Chinese acupuncture and those who were not.

The popularity of acupuncture has been steadily increasing for over 30 years.  Acupuncture, however, has been used for many thousands of years by people in China and the Far East and is probably the oldest existing form of treatment in the world.  It is about enabling balance in the flow of energy (chi) along energy channels called meridians in the body aided with the use of hair thin, sterile needles inserted at important points in the body that regulates chi flow and removes any energy blockages in the meridians to ensure smooth chi flow.

Acupuncture as seen by Western medicine is about stimulating the connective tissues, muscles and nerves. The stimulation causes the production and release of the body’s own natural painkillers and the improvement of blood circulation.  Because of its renowned potency validated by the World Health Organization that claims acupuncture to be truly effective in treating over 40 health conditions, researchers are continuously studying acupuncture’s potential in treating other types of conditions.

New research has shown how acupuncture can be helpful in overcoming the nauseating and vomiting effects of chemotherapy and surgery.  Because of its metaphysical nature, western medicinal science is finding it extremely difficult to study acupuncture thoroughly.  Whatever the case may be, this ancient medicinal art is an ideal treatment for women who are seeking a natural but effective recourse for the relief of their menopausal problems.

There are few if any untoward side effects with acupuncture.  To prevent the rise of acupuncture side effects such as slight bleeding, pain or bruising, choose a licensed acupuncturist for your health problems.  This way you know that the practitioner has received proper training and experience to treat your problems.  It is also great if you can find a licensed acupuncturist who has extensive experience in treating menopausal problems.

To battle obesity, acupuncture stimulates the digestive system (liver, kidneys, intestines stomach, etc) improving digestive function and manipulates hunger sensation as well as removing pain and stress from joints and muscles.  These processes revitalize the mind and body and help stimulate the urge to do physical activities to help burn calories faster.

Stress is a great factor in causing us to live an unbalanced lifestyle.  Happily, acupuncture is a great way to relieve stress and thus can help remove fatigue as well.  This treatment is also a great way to get adequate and satisfying sleep.  It is up to us, however, to select the best healthy diet for our health and when unhealthy food is discarded, acupuncture can help the body remove the toxins and harmful substances ingested from unhealthy foods.  Another great effect of acupuncture that greatly can benefit the obese person is its ability to regulate hunger sensations.  Acupuncture does this by manipulating the sending of electric signals through neurons in strategic spots.  As acupuncture begins detoxifying the body, it also helps build up energy, lowers fatigue and increases muscle strength that induces the person to spend this energy through physical activities.  Acupuncture improves blood flow throughout the body, nourishing and revitalizing the body organs helping them, particularly the lungs and the heart, to function optimally.

We can see that obesity is a symptom of so many health conditions that causes the body to overeat.  Acupuncture is truly an amazing recourse for combating obesity as it attacks these conditions that induce overeating.  Of course, the individual itself needs to participate in this transformation by eating highly nutritious foods that can satisfy with just a few servings and do physical activities that make the individual healthy and help burn those unwanted calories.  In short, one needs to have a change of lifestyle and diet that is conducive to healthy living.   Acupuncture greatly assists in accomplishing these changes making them easy to do because this treatment itself will provide impetus to facilitate achieving these changes.

Acupuncture is commonly used in the treatment of sports injuries, migraine, headache and back pain among others.  It also a very reliable aid for numerous health problems such as obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual pain, bladder infection, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, digestive problems, sleeplessness, arthritis and stress among others.

The basis for acupuncture is the blockage of vital energy called chi in which acupuncture removes the blockages that cause chi deficiency on the affected parts of the body leading to pain and illness in the affected areas.  Similar to the monitoring of blood flow through blood vessels by doctors, acupuncturists monitor chi flow within energy vessels called meridians.  Acupuncture is really meant to help prevent sickness and the desire of acupuncturists is to help patients maintain a happy, long and healthy life.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into points in the body called acupuncture points.  The needles help remove energy blockages and balance the energy level of the body.  Besides needling, acupuncturists also use electromagnetic energy, suction, friction and pressure to help the body heal itself.

One of acupuncture’s great benefits is to boost the immune system.  It also helps improve blood circulation and regulates the rhythm of the heart, blood pressure and boost production of both white and red blood cells.  Acupuncture likewise helps produce and release hormones that allow the body to cope properly with stress and injury.  For most people, acupuncture treatment usually involves a dozen or so sessions depending on the condition being treated.  Initial consultation might entail a physical exam.  When the disorder had been diagnosed, the correct placement of needles in the body can begin.  Usually acupuncture sessions lasts merely 30 to 45 minutes.  The needles used are the sterile disposable types to prevent cross infection.  Some people may feel a slight sensation when the needles are inserted into the skin while some may feel nothing at all.

In order to prevent injuries, pain, bruises or even slight bleeding during treatment, the patient should seek treatment from a licensed and well-trained acupuncturist who knows exactly what to do and what body part the needles need to be inserted in after the patient’s condition has been properly diagnosed.  It is vital for an acupuncturist to treat the correct acupuncture points in order to prevent the rise of any complications.

Stress is a normal body and mental response to something that a person deems as a negative impact to his/her life.  Stress produces a biochemical reaction in the body that causes the muscles to stiffen, the blood pressure to elevate, respiratory rate and heart beat to increase.  This reaction can be termed as a fight or flight reaction or an adrenaline rush.  At these moments, the body is endowed with enhanced alertness, energy and strength to deal with the immediate situation.  After a short period of time, the stress dissipates and the body functions normally once more.  If the stress lingers for longer periods, it might become chronic and unmanageable leading to an unhealthy state of mind and body.  This kind of stress can cause, heart palpitations, panic attacks, hyperventilation, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and mental pressure.  The muscles display tremors, spasms, pain and tension.

Instead of bringing a relaxed and comfortable environment, the modern era has brought about stressful times to almost every individual.  Work and relationships are so subjected to pressure and demands that the body’s energy are exhausted leaving the body prone to illnesses and diseases.  Common manifestations of stress are emotional disorders (depression, anxiety, loss of self confidence), mental conditions (memory loss, lack of concentration), gastric disorders, skin problems and head and back aches to mention a few.  Prolonged stress will result in problems in the cardiovascular system including strokes and heart attacks.  Prolonged or chronic stress is a deadly disease and should be immediately treated to preserve the health and life of the individual.

The best solution for chronic stress is acupuncture because this treatment removes the factors that cause stress to be very harmful to the body.  Acupuncture relaxes and gives comfort to the mind and body, lowers heart rates, relaxes tight muscles relieving muscle pains and spasms and takes away any feelings of anxiety and depression.

Chinese medicine practitioners some of which are acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists argue that negative extreme emotions such as anxiety, depression and stress are major factors that cause energy imbalances in the body.  Traditional Chinese medicine such as acupuncture theorizes that stress, depression or anxiety builds up blockages in the energy vessels called meridians.  Meridians convey and distribute vital force or life energy which the Chinese call chi that enables the growth, health and vitality of the body.  When chi flow is blocked or stagnates, ailments and disorders arise.  One common type of ailment caused by chi blockage is muscle pain in the neck and back in the blockage area.  Besides muscle pain, the blockage can also lead to insomnia, high blood pressure or digestive problems.  With acupuncture treatment, the needles create stimuli and energy that remove the blockage restoring energy balance to the body once again.

For anxiety and panic attacks, acupuncture treatment is usually done on the ear since the ear has meridians that connect to the organs that are energy deficient.

Physicians who have studied acupuncture believe that acupuncture helps remove anxiety and other negative extreme emotions by stimulating the production and release of natural opioids called endorphins to calm and relax the body and mind.  This positive therapeutic effect can also lower blood pressure and heart rate, ameliorate blood flow throughout the body and help relax stiff tense muscles, which vastly reduces any pain and muscle spasms in the body.

A typical auricular acupuncture treatment for anxiety will last a month depending on how the patient reacts to the treatment.  Most people come out of the treatment fully healed of their emotional problems.  Auricular acupuncture can be augmented by the use of Chinese herbal medicine that has formulas that will suit an individual’s unique case.  It should be noted that a person needs to get treatment from a licensed and well-trained acupuncturist to prevent any painful sensations, complications and side effects such as bruising or slight bleeding from the procedure.  Countless people have been successfully treated of their anxiety problems and panic attacks by acupuncture and it may be the only therapy one needs to end panic attacks and other extreme emotional negatives permanently.

In spite of all the clinically controlled success of acupuncture in proving its effectiveness in treating infertility, incredibly many skeptics in the Western scientific community still abound regarding acupuncture’s proclaimed benefits.  Studies consistently show how acupuncture dramatically boosts the rate of successful conception of ART procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy.  Many published works show how acupuncture increases the health of embryos during IVF and thereby increase the chances of the embryo’s survival and lessening the cost of these very expensive procedures.

The main reason why acupuncture skeptics abound is because the Western scientific community does not know how it works.  Acupuncture is firmly grounded in Eastern philosophy which includes the metaphysical concepts of vital force or chi; the life energy that gives life to all living things including human beings.  Chi travels to energy pathways called meridians; another concept which Western science cannot prove exists because meridians are invisible energy vessels.  The obviously flawed framework of Western medical science will never be able to explain why the use of acupuncture by ART modalities increases the rate of success of these treatments.  Medical acupuncture, a western version of traditional Chinese acupuncture explains acupuncture by means of its effects on the nervous system, an explanation that seem more plausible to Western medical science.  An example of this is how medical acupuncturists see how acupuncture helps control/regulate hormonal function leading to fertility or that because of its ability to relieve stress from the body and to relax the nervous system, the fetus tends to grow healthy quickly.

For first time patients, it will be a bit strange seeing their doctor practicing medical acupuncture in his/her office.  The fact is that physicians are practicing acupuncturists because they know acupuncture is a very effective treatment for numerous types of disorders, including infertility.  The World Health Organization validated this truth by officially listing more than 30 health conditions that acupuncture can treat.  As long as the acupuncturist is licensed and well-trained practitioner, acupuncture is a very safe, effective and painless procedure.

Most IVF clinics now require their patients to undergo months of acupuncture therapy before they go through IVF treatment itself.  This is to greatly increase the chances of success of the IVF treatment and not make it a haphazard, inefficient and costly procedure.

In the West, acupuncture is slowly seen to be a good option for obese people who have tried countless weight loss programs but have failed to give them the result they desire.  The most common treatment of acupuncture for weight loss is called auricular acupuncture or acupuncture of the ear. TCM believes that every living thing has an energy called vital force or chi in Chinese inside it that gives life, health and growth to living things including human beings.  Chi run throughout the body through energy lines called meridians.  Acupuncture points or acupoints are sites in the body that run along meridians just located beneath the skin.  There are meridians that associate with major organs in the body.  Acupuncturists treat meridians that associate with the stomach to control hunger; some of those meridians are located on the ear.  Acupoints on the ear connected to the stomach meridians are treated with needles to rebalance chi and regulate hunger.  Many meridians are located on the ear and one particular meridian connects to the vagus nerve that can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.  This part of the nervous system also helps regulate the digestive function allowing it to function properly and efficiently.

The needles also stimulate the production and release of neurotransmitters called endorphins.  These chemicals are the body’s natural painkillers and “feel good” chemicals and they generate a feeling of comfort, tranquility and euphoria to the body.  This helps relieve any painful sensations in the body and enable to people to fight stress, anxiety, depression and other extreme negative emotions, which can cause the body to crave for food as a way to comfort themselves.  Thus we have the term “comfort foods”.  Not a few antidepressants have chemicals that can alter the appetite of people and many drugs for losing weight have also the ability to stimulate the release of endorphins.  The only problem with these drugs is that they have other chemicals that cause harmful and sometimes serious side effects to the body.

It is common to hear of heart irregularities and palpitations after taking some of these drugs.  There are no such side effects with acupuncture.  In fact, there are more beneficial side effects to acupuncture such as improved blood circulation; increased immune strength and renewed vitality that no other pharmaceutical product can also claim to give a person.