Acupuncture’s Growth in the West

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is the use of very thin needles that are inserted into the body at strategic points in order to re-balance energy and reduce the prevalence of certain medical conditions. Acupuncture is usually used in conjunction with other forms of Chinese medicine like herbal supplements and massage.

Acupuncture is considered to be Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine is known as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There are many debates surrounding acupuncture and whether or not it is an effective treatment method. As studies have been done that show the serious side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, more Americans have turned to alternative forms of medicine rather than take their chances with prescription drugs.

How many people use acupuncture in the United States?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found in 2007 that thirty percent of Americans are actively using Traditional Chinese Medical therapies, which includes acupuncture. Health practitioners believe that this number has increased exponentially since then.

Surveys have shown that about seven percent of Americans are avid users of acupuncture therapy in 2007 and the numbers have doubled since then. Of those seven percent, twenty two percent had seen an acupuncturist in the last twelve months.

Who is using acupuncture?

Some nursing homes and hospice care workers have started to practice alternative medicine on their ailing patients to help with pain management for those that are experiencing chronic pain. Most of their patients have claimed that their pain is decreased and their quality of life has improved drastically.

The main reasons for why Americans are seeing an acupuncturist are:

• Chronic pain
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Depression

Usually, acupuncture therapy needs to be a long term process in order to get the most from the treatment. Regular visits to an experienced practitioner have been found to relieve many chronic pain conditions and lessen symptoms of other medical therapies like chemotherapy.

Many sufferers of chronic low back pain have stated that they continue to use a practitioner of acupuncture because they have experienced significant reduction in pain after using acupuncture long term.

The belief behind the reason for the increased use of acupuncture is the American culture shift to more open minded thinking. Society as a whole has started to view the world differently in all aspects from religion, to politics, to marriage and relationships. So, thinking about healthcare open mindedly is just par for the course.

Paying for treatment

Unfortunately, many insurance companies in the United States do not cover acupuncture treatments yet because insurance companies do not consider this treatment to be qualifying for coverage. This is because the Food and Drug Administration has not set regulations for this treatment and scientific studies are still pursuing whether or not this is a viable option for pain management. We anticipate that it is just a matter of time before this treatment is covered by insurance companies.

So, treatment payments fall to the patient but many say that they are more than willing to pay the affordable fees because of the benefit that is brought to them.

What is a MedSpa?

A medspa, or a medical spa, brings together the regular day spa experience and the benefits of a medical clinic.  When looking at the difference between a regular spa and medical spa, you see that there are more medically related treatments available at a medical spa.  Medical skin care is available to work on improving the appearance of wrinkles, sunspots, and other causes of lackluster skin.

At a medical spa, laser hair removal and treatments for veins and scars are generally available as well. What each medical spa offers are dependent upon the physicians.  The focal point at most medical spas is on anti-aging and maintaining youthful skin.  Botox, laser hair removal, and collagen injection are only a few of the many popular options at a medspa.

Medical spas provide a relaxing environment that pays extreme attention to each client and their needs.  Making sure people leave the medspa feeling beautiful is a major goal.

While the chance to choose various beauty treatments exists at a medical spa, so does the chance to be pampered.  The options available at standard day spas are available at medical spas as well.  Massages, facials, body wraps, and more are available at a medspa. The environment is relaxed and soothing, making it a great option when trying to enhance the body while simultaneously trying to relax.

The quality of services at a medspa are generally higher than that of the regular day spa.  There are actually medical grade products available, making a safer and healthier spa experience.  The ambience is the same, but the products (such as chemical peels) available are far greater in quality.

Documentation at a medical spa is far greater than at a day spa. The treatments performed and the services intended to be performed and received are documented and carefully tracked. Questionnaires are often handed out to first time clients in order to obtain a sense of medical history.

When heading for the first time, physicians may desire to have a consultation prior to performing medical procedures such as injections and lasers. Careful thought needs to be taken prior to receiving laser treatment.  Without thinking about the services or understanding steps to be taken prior to the procedure, there could be issues with blood-thinning medications and other subjects. Once checked in, informed and ready to go, clients can bask in the soothing experience.

Essentially, the medspa is a place to relax, recharge, and improve the body and mind.  The soothing aspect of the traditional day spa, tied with the available options for cosmetic enhancements creates the perfect package. Cosmetic treatments can be received in the most comfortable environment, with options to totally rewind, relax, and recharge.

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Traditional Chinese Medicine, also referred to as TCM, is its own complete system of medicine. It has its own forms of diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and therapies. TCM views the body as a dynamic system in energetic balance. Your life force, Qi (pronounced chee), flows regularly in a pattern through a system of meridians, or channels, to every part of the body.

If Qi remains flowing free your body remains in balance and harmony, as well as in good health. However, if there are blockages it can lead to an imbalance, thus disease.

The purpose of TCM is to restore the body’s balance and it works on an energetic level to affect the whole person: body, mind and spirit. It can be used in order to correct imbalances that have led to illness or pain, and it can correct imbalances before they have resulted in symptoms, thus preventing disease.

Additionally, TCM treatments will address imbalances by using a number of treatments, including herbal remedies, meditation, Chinese exercise, acupuncture and food therapy. It also combines Western therapies. 

TCM has been in use for over 3,000 years and is the longest continuous medical system that is practiced in the world.

The goal of TCM is to create a harmony within the whole person, encouraging the body, mind and spirit to heal itself. The philosophy states that there are two principals at odds with each other. Yin and yang are opposed to each other, and imbalances in the yin and yang reflect as illness in an individual.

TCM defines illness’ physiological components as such: Qi (the vital energy), Xue (blood), Jing (essence), Jin-Ye (fluids of the body), Shen (Spirit), and the organs.

Consider that in Western medicine that the kidney system manages the metabolism of fluid. In TCM the kidney system is also responsible for regeneration, growth, and reproduction. Bones, marrow, inner ear, lumbar and teeth all make up part of the kidney system. Individuals dealing with lower back pain, frequent urination, and fear could be associated with the kidney system.

TCM does not recognize bacteria, or viruses, as the trigger for disease or disorder, but instead recognizes influences causing disharmony within your Qi.

Additionally, there are 6 external climatic forces that can potentially invade the body, thus creating disharmony. If you are exposed to excessive amounts of cold, heat or wind when you are already weak you can develop an illness. Those external factors include cold, heat, wind, dampness, summer heat, and dryness.

The methods used by TCM to facilitate healing can also include heat therapies which use moxibustion. Moxibustion involves burning the herb mugwort over areas of the body in order to stimulate those areas in need. Additionally, there are a range of exercises including martial arts.

Acupuncture Is A Natural Healing Treatment For Diverse Health Problems

Acupuncture is a natural healing procedure that is widely known for its numerous benefits. Those who have physical or mental disorders can consult an acupuncturist to get the best treatment. It has a good safety record, and does not include the use of any surgical instrument, and medication.

It is an old Chinese technique to restore the proper energy flow in the body. A disrupted energy flow can result in malfunctioning, disease, and pain. So, to ease all the discomfort, the practitioner applies pressure on certain areas of the body. Acupuncture can be used to heal different health complexities, like neuralgias, tennis elbow, headaches, abnormal blood pressure, osteoarthritis, ulcers, stomach problems, spasms, muscular rheumatism, diarrhea, asthma, neuralgia of the shoulders and arm, bronchitis, shortness of breath, coughs, bed wetting, female disorders, impotence, hemorrhoids, lumbago, bladder irritation, hay fever, allergies, loss of smell, and skin conditions. Consult the best professional, providing effective acupuncture in Boca Raton.

Make some efforts to find the best clinic. You will surely experience the benefits after undergoing this treatment. Practitioners offering acupuncture care in Boca can improve your overall health by using several hands on techniques. These manual methods can improve the functioning of different systems of the body, like circulatory, nervous, respiratory etc. Several people have experienced the improvement in their health condition after undergoing this natural and powerful healing procedure. So, consult a licensed clinic, equipped with proficient professionals having a good working experience in treating the patients.

Search A Clinic For Craniosacral, And Acupuncture Healing Treatment

The long working hour job, household duties, and other responsibilities cause a lot of stress to the people, leading to ill health. High blood pressure, depression, stroke, and other mental disorders are the most common problems. Taking medicines, steroids etc can provide comfort temporarily, and can cause side-effects in the long run. So, it is best to go for the natural treatment, which is safe, and does not affect you in the future. Consult the best practitioner, offering craniosacral therapy Florida.

Craniosacral therapy can balance the energy flow in the body. The professionals give gentle, but consistent, massage and manipulation at certain areas on the scalp to reduce physical and psychological tensions. You will certainly experience relaxed, happy, and in a peaceful state after the therapy.

Acupuncture is somehow similar to this therapy as it is also non-invasive, drugs free, and includes several hands-on techniques to alleviate the pain of the patients. It is performed to ease the chronic pain, and other health illnesses, like headache, back pain, arthritis, asthma, sleeping disorders etc. Acupuncturists apply pressure on certain points of the body to give relief to the people.

Search for a clinic where you can get both craniosacral, and acupuncture healing treatment. Once you visit the health care center, the professional will analyses your health condition to discover the chief cause of the problem. He will then provide the necessary curative procedure to comfort you. This natural remedial process will certainly show the positive results.