Chiropractic Care & Acupuncture
Drug Free Pain Relief
Acupuncture is the insertion of acupuncture needles in specific points on the body which are considered to affect the Qi (energy) pathways. It is used for the correction of imbalances in energy and thus in body-mind function that lead to illness and disease. These imbalances can be diagnosed and corrected before disease becomes evident or clinically detectable by Western medicine. Acupuncture and its related practice of moxibustion can thus be used to treat and/or prevent disease.
Traditional Chinese theory explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (chee) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.
In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body’s natural painkillers and increase blood flow.
You may want to try acupuncture for symptomatic relief of a variety of diseases and conditions, including:
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Labor pain
- Low back pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Migraines
- Osteoarthritis
- Postoperative dental pain
- Tennis elbow
Common side effects are deep relaxation or even mild disorientation immediately following treatments. These pass within a short time, and never require more than a bit of rest to overcome.
Acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system. It also has affects the circulation, blood pressure, rhythm and stroke volume of the heart, secretion of the gastric acid, and production of red and white cells. It also stimulates the release of a variety of hormones that help body to respond to injury and stress.
So many people with pain, whether from cancer, headache or a chronic, unexplained condition, rely on medications such as morphine, which can become addicting. Acupuncture has no side effects and other studies have shown that acupuncture for drug free pain relief can last for months.
