Illustration by Catherine Lane
Modality Mondays we focus on a particular healing modality. Today’s post is about a form of Traditional Chinese medicine called Acupuncture as described in an excerpt from Lisa Dawson of Honest Baby.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient system of medicine that nurtures the free flow of your body’s energy to promote health and wellness. Sterile needles are inserted at specific points, also known as “meridian points” along the body, breaking up stagnation (or congestion) in the body, allowing the body to continue its natural free flow of energy. Different types of acupuncture, including Japanese, Korean and Chinese acupuncture are used commonly.
“Acupuncture helps the body to return to its natural state of balance,” explains Kyla Hanley, a licensed acupuncturist who practices in Hoboken, NJ. “We all know when our bodies are out of balance, because we just don’t feel right. The goal of a treatment is to prompt the body to remember what it’s like to be in balance.”
As most women undergoing the stress of fertility treatments are aware, stress is a major contributing factor in infertility. It seems ironic, but, it’s true. Acupuncture has been shown to help increase relaxation, improve sleep and lower anxiety. Victoria Fabacher, MSOM,L.Ac., LCSW, who practices acupuncture in New York City and Greenwich, CT, says acupuncture works for infertility by helping restore balance within the body. “Often there is just a slight imbalance of the reproductive system and fertility can be restored quite easily,” explains Fabacher. She cites an example of a 40 year-old patient who tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for a year, and then conceived naturally after about four months of acupuncture and herbal therapy.
What are some of the benefits?
Acupuncture is beneficial for a variety of physical and emotional issues. Acupuncture helps headaches, migraines, arthritis, asthma, sinus problems, digestive issues (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS), bladder problems, back pain and sciatica. Acupuncture is also beneficial for emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, and PMS. Acupuncture not only relieves these issues, but has also been shown to improve circulation, drain lymphatic fluid and have a calming effect on the nervous system, allowing for overall better health.
Jennifer Vreeland, a working mom of two children, began acupuncture in 2006 for a recurring back problem. “I love acupuncture, especially for the sciatic nerve pain in my lower back. I’ve found it’s about the only thing that relieves the pain and the treatment lasts for months—and by then the spasm is gone and I rarely find it comes back. It’s also really relaxing!”
What is a typical session like?
After meeting with a licensed, certified practitioner and discussing your specific medical issues, the practitioner will develop a specific treatment plan to address your individual needs. Most people will feel the benefits after just one treatment. However, depending on the severity of the problem and the length of time you’ve had the condition, it may take up to three or four treatments to begin to notice any improvement.
A typical treatment involves the patient lying on a table (usually a comfortable massage table), either face-up or face-down (depending on whether they are working on your back or front). The practitioner will gently place the needles in the points needed for healing and then leave the needles in anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. Some practitioners also use essential oils and moxa (a warming herb) to deepen the benefits of the treatments. Depending on the treatment and the practitioner, treatments may last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and fifteen minutes.
Lisa Dawson is a contributing writer for Honest Baby, a website where parents discuss their real parenting stories in a supportive community, and informative non-judgmental articles about the imperfect journey of parenting.
Related Articles
What is Acupuncture by iFitandHealthy
The Feel Good Gift Guide by Glam Wellness
Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam, GlamSpirit, Wellness, Health, GlamNetwork, Acupuncture, Infertility, Sciatica, Migraines, Back Pain, Asthma, Arthritis, Anxiety, Depression, PMS
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greengirlwannabe | 04-Dec-07 at 6:21 am | Permalink
Amazing! I just had this done a couple of weeks ago. After years & years of mid back pain my doc suggested I try it & to my surpise, I was immediately better after just one 20 minute session. I have also had friends who have quit smoking from accupunture! I am a believer!
offefurangeft | 24-Feb-08 at 8:42 am | Permalink
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