Millions of Americans try acupuncture
Practice used for relieving illnesses including migraines, fatigue
Adrian Northrup
Issue date: 10/24/05 Section: Health
Olson said one of her relatives gets acupuncture, and it seems to really work for her.
"She said that she felt better than she had in years," Olson said.
Although he doesn't know a lot about it, Schultz said he's not sure he believes there are actual health benefits.
"I believe that physically, it does not help that much," he said, "but mentally, it helps them feel better overall."
However, Omtvedt said, there are physical, mental and emotional benefits to acupuncture. Some of the benefits include relaxation, diminished pain of various types, calmness and relief of upset stomachs.
"Acupuncture clears obstruction," she said.
Wheeler said her patients come in for a variety of reasons, including chronic pain, nausea, migraine headaches, arthritis, fatigue, and sinus problems.
She said although they rarely occur, fatigue and small bruising may be side effects of acupuncture. Omtvedt said improper use of needles also is a risk, but it happens rarely.
The first step in acupuncture is an assessment and a health history, Wheeler said. The acupuncturist then makes a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, which determines the pattern of illness or discomfort.
"When we know the TCM diagnosis, we can determine appropriate acupuncture treatment," she said.
The diagnosis determines the way the person is positioned and where the needles are inserted, Wheeler said. Patients generally are reclined or lying on their stomach or back. Once the treatment is decided, the site is cleaned with alcohol.
Needles generally are inserted in hands, feet, lower legs and on either side of the spine in the back, she said. The needles used are 34-gauge, or about the width of a hair. They can be inserted horizontally, perpendicularly or at an angle, she said. The needles are inserted anywhere from a superficial depth up to three inches deep.
Most of the time, patients do not feel any pain and blood is not drawn from the skin, Wheeler said. If there is discomfort, it generally disappears after the needle is in place.
"Many times people don't feel the effect of the needle being inserted," she said, "but they may feel the affect of the needle, which is called daQi."
The patient rests for 15 to 20 minutes after the needles are in place, Wheeler said. The needles then are removed.
"Needles are removed in different ways, based on the diagnosis," she said.
Omtvedt said acupuncture treatments usually consist of three or more sessions, with one session a week.
"Acupuncture is a gentle modality," she said. "It's coaxing your body to change."
"She said that she felt better than she had in years," Olson said.
Although he doesn't know a lot about it, Schultz said he's not sure he believes there are actual health benefits.
"I believe that physically, it does not help that much," he said, "but mentally, it helps them feel better overall."
However, Omtvedt said, there are physical, mental and emotional benefits to acupuncture. Some of the benefits include relaxation, diminished pain of various types, calmness and relief of upset stomachs.
"Acupuncture clears obstruction," she said.
Wheeler said her patients come in for a variety of reasons, including chronic pain, nausea, migraine headaches, arthritis, fatigue, and sinus problems.
She said although they rarely occur, fatigue and small bruising may be side effects of acupuncture. Omtvedt said improper use of needles also is a risk, but it happens rarely.
The first step in acupuncture is an assessment and a health history, Wheeler said. The acupuncturist then makes a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis, which determines the pattern of illness or discomfort.
"When we know the TCM diagnosis, we can determine appropriate acupuncture treatment," she said.
The diagnosis determines the way the person is positioned and where the needles are inserted, Wheeler said. Patients generally are reclined or lying on their stomach or back. Once the treatment is decided, the site is cleaned with alcohol.
Needles generally are inserted in hands, feet, lower legs and on either side of the spine in the back, she said. The needles used are 34-gauge, or about the width of a hair. They can be inserted horizontally, perpendicularly or at an angle, she said. The needles are inserted anywhere from a superficial depth up to three inches deep.
Most of the time, patients do not feel any pain and blood is not drawn from the skin, Wheeler said. If there is discomfort, it generally disappears after the needle is in place.
"Many times people don't feel the effect of the needle being inserted," she said, "but they may feel the affect of the needle, which is called daQi."
The patient rests for 15 to 20 minutes after the needles are in place, Wheeler said. The needles then are removed.
"Needles are removed in different ways, based on the diagnosis," she said.
Omtvedt said acupuncture treatments usually consist of three or more sessions, with one session a week.
"Acupuncture is a gentle modality," she said. "It's coaxing your body to change."