: Integra Acupunture

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine have been an integral part of East Asian Medicine (EAM) for more than 3,000 years. Diagnosis in EAM is based on the movement of Qi, the life force or energy, of the individual. Qi travels throughout the body along pathways, called meridians, that generally correspond to our internal organ systems.

EAM works with the Qi of one’s body to remove blockages and replenish deficiencies that create pain and other physiological dysfunctions or disorders. While the Western medical community has not yet identified how EAM works from a biomedical perspective, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) support its efficacy. While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of our highly-trained acupuncturists, it has much broader application.

Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medical and surgical disorders. Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections, allergies, common cold. Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, migraines, facial tics, bell’s palsy, acute and chronic pain, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain, and osteoarthritis. Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems: painful urination, male sterility, infertility, painful menstruation, endometriosis, PMS, and menopause.

Acupuncture is particularly useful in resolving physical problems related to tension, stress, and emotional problems. The number of treatments differs from person to person. For complex, long-standing conditions, one or two treatments a week for several months may be recommended. For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, and for health maintenance, only a few sessions a year may be all that is necessary. Usually not. As energy is redirected in the body, internal chemicals and hormones are stimulated and healing begins to take place.

Occasionally the original symptoms may worsen for a few days, or other general changes in appetite, sleep, bowel or urination patterns, or emotional state may be triggered. These should not cause concern, as they are simply indications that the acupuncture is starting to work. It is quite common, especially with the first one or two treatments, to have a sensation of deep relaxation following the treatment.

People experience acupuncture needling differently. Most feel no pain at all, while some feel only minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Once the needles are in place, there is no pain felt. Acupuncture needles are solid, very thin, and made of surgical steel. The point is smooth (not hollow with cutting edges like a hypodermic needle), and so it does not hurt like getting a shot. Also all needles are single-use, sterile, and disposable.

Yes. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has determined that “there is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand it use into conventional medicine.” Many of its mechanisms of action are well-known and proven. Acupuncture can be given at the same time as other techniques being used, such as conventional medicine, chiropractic adjustments, or osteopathic manipulations.

It is important that your physician be informed of everything you are doing so that you may get the best results from all your treatments. Integra Acupuncture does accept health insurances if your insurance plan has acupuncture coverage. We can call to your benefits for you or you can call the number on the back of your card to see if your health insurance covers acupuncture. We are an in-network provider of United Health Care, OSU, and Worker’s Compensation.

Acupuncture and herbal therapy have been used for many years in the successful treatment of Bell’s palsy, stroke, and other cases of facial paralysis and loss of sensation. If acupuncture can lift a drooling mouth or a drooping eyelid on an severely impaired person with serious lack of local circulation then imagine what it can do for a relatively healthy person with sagging skin and wrinkles.

With the increasing preoccupation over appearance, treatments were adapted for more cosmetic purposes. Cosmetic acupuncture still relies on the same principles as regular acupuncture. The root issues of hormonal imbalance, stress, etc. are still addressed. The difference is that points are added to stimulate the flow of Qi in the face and superficially to the skin. In 1996 it was reported by the International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture that in a clinical study of 300 patients treated with Facial Acupuncture significant results were achieved in 90% of cases after one course of treatment.

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