Acupuncture is a therapeutic specialty of Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) used to treat illness, prevent disease, and improve
well-being. It can also be used to help a patient to stop smoking, lose weight
and to alleviate chronic pain, for example with migraines and low back pain.
Acupuncture uses sterile, ultra-thin filaments to stimulate precisely defined,
specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body involving various
methods such as penetration by thin needles or the application of heat,
pressure, or laser light. A common treatment plan for a single complaint
usually involves six to twelve treatments, planned out over a few months. A
typical session entails lying still while approximately five to twenty needles
are inserted into various areas of the body. For the majority of cases, the
needles will be left in place for ten to twenty minutes.
Unlike needles used to give vaccines or other
pharmaceutical injections, the ultra-thin filaments used in acupuncture are
extremely fine, about twice the width of a single hair. In a typical session,
the skin is first sterilized with alcohol and the needles are inserted,
frequently with a plastic guide tube. Needles may be manipulated in various
ways, including spinning, flicking, or moving up and down relative to the skin.
Often, the needles are stimulated by hand in order to cause a dull, localized,
aching sensation that is called “de-qi“, as well as "needle grasp," a
tugging feeling felt by the acupuncturist and generated by a mechanical
interaction between the needle and skin.
Once de-qi is achieved, further techniques might be
utilized which aim to "influence" the de-qi; for example, by certain
manipulation the de-qi sensation can be conducted from the needling site
towards more distant sites of the body.
The skill level of the acupuncturist may influence how
painful the needle insertion is, and a sufficiently skilled practitioner may be
able to insert the needles without causing any pain. Many of our acupuncture
patients are surprised to discover that acupuncture involves little or no pain.
Some patients even describe their treatments as relaxing.
At ACN Wellness, we offer a full range of health and
wellness services in addition to acupuncture services including herbal formula,
yoga and QiGong, massage therapy, nutrition guidance and mind-body counseling.
Acupuncture can be effective as a primary treatment
therapy or as part of an integrated approach. Our clinical practitioners are
licensed acupuncturists and have extensive knowledge and training in the use of
acupuncture as a primary treatment therapy or as part of a comprehensive
integrated treatment plan.
Dr. Francisco Fernandez is one of the best doctors who
utilizes Diversified Technique, Activator, Acupuncture, and Flexion/Distraction.
With these techniques he is able to gently and effectively treat back pain,
sciatica, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, sports injuries, motor vehicle
injuries, and work-related injuries.
Call the front office and schedule your appointment and
begin your path to healing today!
