Acupuncture originated in China and has been in use there since at least 400

BC. Its based on the concept that the body contains energy known as qi
(pronounced "chee"). According to Chinese medicine, qi streams throughout the
body in 12 main pathways or meridians, and hundreds of collaterals. Illness
occurs when qi gets stuck or doesnt flow smoothly. By stimulating with thin
needles some of the 2,000 acupuncture points on the bodys meridians, the
acupuncturist helps qi flow. In this country, the Food and Drug Administration
regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices which must be sterilized and
disposable.

Studies show that acupuncture triggers the release of chemicals that control
pain. It also appears to affect blood flow, though scientists do not know why.
Inserting acupuncture needles shallowly in the skin also stimulates the
hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the brain to secrete hormones. And
acupuncture seems to increase the release of neurotransmitters, though the
reason is not clear. The effects of such hormones and neurotransmitters
include increased relaxation and reduced swelling.

It appears to improve hormonal balance

and to reduce inappropriate inflammatory
responses in the body. It also appears to
improve digestive function, which helps
the body to assimilate necessary
nutrients. It seems to have an influence
on the nervous system, and recent
studies using MRI (magnetic resonance
imaging) show an immediate change in
brain activity in patients receiving
acupuncture.
More research will have to be done to
explain how acupuncture works in
western medical terms. Some good books
about acupuncture are Between Heaven
and Earth by Harriet Beinfield, Efrem
Korngold and The Web That Has No
Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk. The Way of
Chinese Herbs by Michael Tierra is a
introduction to Chinese herbology.

How to Choose an Acupuncturist

First of all, you need to see someone you feel an affinity

with, who listens to you and makes you feel comfortable.
That person should be well trained and experienced. This
means someone who is state licensed. Call the person and
talk to them. They may only be able to be brief but feel free
to ask how long theyve been in practice and if theyve
successfully treated the condition for which you would be
seeking treatment. Feeling you can trust someone is very
personal and important. Take the time to seek out the right
practitioner. Its an important relationship.

What is the difference between Traditional Chinese

Medicine and Medical Acupuncture?
Medical acupuncture, as practiced by doctors and chiropractors, is
a less rigorous in term of its requirements to insert needles. It is an
easier way for medical doctors to call themselves acupuncturists.
They can begin practicing acupuncture after 300 hours of training.
This training however does not address the depth or complexity of
Traditional Chinese medicine. However that are some medical
doctors and chiropractors who have studied Chinese medicine more
rigorously after they have fulfilled minimal requirements for
certification.
Becoming a licensed acupuncturist in Texas requires over 3 years of
school with one year of internship. By the time I got my degree, I
had over 3000 hours of education in Chinese medicine and had
successfully passed the National Acupuncture and Chinese
Herbology Board Exams (NCCAOM) and fulfilled rigorous
requirements for Texas State licensure

About Billy Zachary

I believe the idea expressed here is fundamental to the wisdom of
acupuncture, where the macrocosm is reflected in the microcosm.
Every action, even thought and emotion, has consequences on
ourselves, our health and then ripples out into the rest of our world.
We all have an intuitive knowledge of how to live a deeply rewarding,
meaningful life, in which our optimal conditions of health would
flourish. We get distracted from this sense, and then we instead create
patterns that lead to internal suffering. Stress, worry, dread and selfjudgment can create debilitating and internally oppressive thoughts
and habits. The pace and cadence of modern life often works, then
strains us to the limits of health. Our lifestyle choices, diet and exercise
are integral to this system as well. Illness of the body and illness of the
spirit are connected, overtly and subtly. Also, illness and health are not
mutually exclusive, but on a spectrum; they are not black and white,
but instead there are many shades of grey. Chronic conditions and
illness cannot stay us from achieving our fullest enjoyment of life.
Chinese Medicine gives us a map to understand these connections.

What is Acupuncture Like?

The initial visit is often the longest. After a
conversation about your symptoms and history, there
will be a 20-minute treatment. During the intake, the
acupuncturists may examine the patients tongue,
studying the color, coating, even teeth marks on the
body of the tongue. In traditional Chinese medicine
the tongue is considered a mirror of the body; it tells
the acupuncturist which organs and meridians are
involved in your illness. The traditional acupuncturist
may also feel six different spots on your wrists for
pulses. To practitioners, these pulses measure your
overall health.
An acupuncturist may also palpate, or prod, your
abdomen, which tells him or her about the state of
your qi. Besides using needles, an acupuncturist may
also light a moxa stick, similar to a large incense
stick, made of mugworta Chinese variety of sage.
The moxa stick is intended to create a sense of
warmth, and stimulate qi. The acupuncturist may try
to energize qi by stimulating the needles electrically
with a small machine, which causes the needles to
pulsate slightly.

Contact Info

3203 Larry Ln
Austin, TX 78722
Phone: (512) 825-3305
www.acupuncturechangeslives.com