Tips To Get The Most From Acupuncture

Acupuncture has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a wide range of health problems. It is based on a premise that one's health depends on the flow and balance of two contrasting energies in the body - the Yin and the Yang. 

The Yin is the female energy and is passive, cold, and dark. Yang, on the other hand, is the male energy and the complete opposite of Yin. It is active, warm, and light. These energies flow in specific points or meridians in the body. When they flow in unison, a person's health is maintained. However, if for some reason, these energies are blocked or there is imbalance between them, a person would start to feel something wrong with his/her body. 

This is where acupuncture comes in. It aims to correct the imbalance or get rid of the blockage that keeps the Yin and Yang from flowing along the points in unison. It makes use of small and sterile needles to stimulate the meridians and get the person back to his/her optimum level of health. 

Anyone can benefit from acupuncture even those who are afraid of needles. If you're thinking of trying acupuncture, here are tips that can help you make the most of its benefits: 

1. Eat a light meal before your session

Avoid heavy meals prior to acupuncture session. This is because if you're full, it will be harder for you to relax and stay comfortable. Also, when you're full, your body's energy will be concentrated in your stomach, making the session ineffective. 

You should also avoid going inside the acupuncture center with an empty stomach as it can result to low blood sugar. You're more likely to experience lightheadedness after the session if your blood sugar is too low. 

When it comes to meals prior to your acupuncture, the best thing you can do is eat a moderate amount of food for at least 30 minutes prior to your session. 

2. Inform your acupuncturist of your medications including vitamins and herbal remedies

Informing your acupuncturist of the medications you're taking including vitamins can help him/her get to know more about your condition. 

3. Wear loose and comfortable clothing

It's easier for your acupuncturist to reach the target areas of your body if you're wearing loose clothing. Wearing comfortable clothing also makes it easier for you to relax before, during, and after the session. 

4. Schedule your acupuncture session on late afternoon or early evening

You're more likely to be relaxed during these periods. Also, when you're scheduling your next acupuncture session, make sure that you avoid day or days between stressful activities as it may only counteract the effect of acupuncture.

5. Avoid alcohol and processed food after the session

Your body is in fragile state after the session. Drinking alcohol or eating processed food after the acupuncture session can dramatically affect your body. Introducing alcohol and processed food after an acupuncture session counteracts the effects of the treatment as you're introducing toxins in your body. 

Whether you're looking for alternative solution to your health problems or just want to achieve optimum health without the use of chemical substances, acupuncture can be your go-to solution. Try the tips above before you see your acupuncturist and enjoy the benefits of this traditional medical practice. 

Free Acupuncture Sessions for Veterans and Families in Portland

In Portland, a project is created to provide veterans and their families with free acupuncture sessions. For eight years now, the Portland Veterans Acupuncture Project (PVAP) has become the go-to clinic of military veterans and their loved ones who would want to experience the health benefits and healing effects of acupuncture.

Acupuncture is an ancient medicine practice that originates in China. It is based on a theory that diseases are brought about by disruption in the energy flow of the body. Acupuncture aims to correct the imbalance on the energy flow by inserting thin, metal needles on the vital points of the body. By correcting this imbalance, acupuncture can help the person get back to his healthy self again.

The practice of acupuncture has only become known in America and Europe when US President Richard Nixon went to China in 1970s. It was his visit to the country with a New York Times journalist that sparks the interest of Americans into this traditional Chinese medical practice.

Why PVAP is Offering Free Acupuncture Sessions

PVAP started in 2007. It is a non-profit clinic that solely depends on the generous donations of its clients. According to its official page, PVAP was founded by a researcher and two acupuncture practitioners who found out that there is a growing number of military veterans returning from deployment who show signs of stress. Believing that acupuncture can free them from those stress-related symptoms, they came up with a project, providing free sessions not just for veterans but for their families as well.

In a local news, it was reported that over 5,000 veterans have already took part of the free acupuncture sessions in PVAP’s clinic. Many of these clients have undergone the NADA technique. This technique involves the insertion of small, stainless-steel needles on the outer part of a person’s ear. Taking about 30-45 minutes per session, NADA technique has been known for its relaxation effect.

How Acupuncture Sessions are Done in PVAP

Acupuncture sessions offered by PVAP are done in groups. In the clinic, patients sit comfortably in chairs in a room shared by several others. This is done to promote a sense of community and feeling of belongingness.  

Clients of PVAP have needles inserted on their ears, scalp, and sometimes on their hands and feet.

With this project, the proponents aim to improve the physical and mental well-being of the veterans by providing them with relief from stress-related symptoms like sleeping problems, substance abuse, irritability, feelings of guilt, and problem in concentrating.

Military veterans and their families can check out clinic hours of PVAP in their website.

Acupuncture Overview

 

What does it feel like?

You may feel slight pressure when a needle goes in. Most people find that it doesn't hurt. The area may tingle, feel numb, itch, or be a little sore. Providers believe that this is a sign that the energy flow, or chi, has been accessed.

After the needle is placed, your provider may roll the needle slightly back and forth. Or he or she may use heat or electrical current on the needle.

What happens during acupuncture?

Your acupuncture provider will give you an exam and ask questions about your pain and how well you are functioning. He or she will also ask about your overall health.

Then your provider will look for the places (called points) on your body to access the chi that is blocked or not flowing right. Each of the points relates to certain health problems or body functions.

Your provider will look for landmarks on your body-using certain muscles or bones, for example-to find the points so that he or she can place the needles.

After the provider finds the points, he or she will quickly tap very thin needles into your skin. He or she will probably place several needles. Some may be placed deeper than others, depending on what the provider believes is needed to restore the flow of chi.

Every provider is different, but in most cases treatment lasts for 15 minutes to an hour. You may have several visits to complete your treatment. Some people have ongoing visits.

 

ACUPUNTURE is a component of the health care system of China that can be traced back at least 2,500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin.

Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There are a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most thoroughly studied mechanism of stimulation of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation.

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