What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is powerful medicine, which aids in strengthening the immune system and serves to prevent disease, control pain and increase both the ability of function and quality of peoples' lives. Acupuncture is a well developed whole healthcare system based on natural energetic laws. Dating back over 3,000 years as a primary health care system in China, acupuncture is widespread in Asia, Europe, and now in the U.S. The world health organization of the U.N. identifies over 50 conditions acupuncture treats successfully. They are listed on the back of this brochure.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

As a system of medicine it uses natural laws and energetics with the application of needles and pressure to specific "points" on the body. These points are grouped along certain pathways or meridians that cross the body. As long as the energy flows freely through these pathways, health is maintained. When the flow of energy is either absent, deficient, interrupted, excessive or blocked in an area, health is disrupted, resulting in illness or pain. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along these meridians, the energy is released and regulated, and health is restored.

Fibromyalgia and Acupuncture

You Chang Hu, DOM, A.P., Diplomat of NCCACOM

Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine

Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal condition that has been called soft tissue rheumatism, fibrositis, fibromyositis, and myofascial pain syndrome. 3 - 6 million Americans are suffering from Fibromyalgia. Most of them are women between 20 - 50 years of age

It is a condition characterized by chronic fatigue, severe muscular pain, stiffness, complicated with fatigue, disturbed sleep, and depression. Etiology and Pathogenesis remains unclear despite extensive research. It is neither a rheumatic inflammatory process nor degenerative disorder. But it is a chronic debilitating condition. In 1987, the American Medical Association recognized FMS as a true illness and a major cause of disability.

Diagnosis is established by detection of the characteristic tender points; there are no lab tests or X-rays, which confirm it. There is not specific treatment in conventional medicine except prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, and local anesthesia. But the results disappoint both doctors and patients.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine will bring new hope to those who suffer with this disorder. Chinese Medicine has been around for about 3,00 years. It is the oldest and consistently practiced professional medicine. It still serves half of the world, including China, Japan, Korea, and most Asian Countries.

The general explanation of Fibromyalgia in Chinese nutrition, chronic infection, and prolonged inactivates, either block the free smooth flow of Qi (energy) in the different meridians or drain and exhaust Qi (energy). The tissues experience a lack of nourishment from Qi (energy) and blood. Different individuals have different causes from external environment and internal pathogens. So the fibromyalgia treated by Chinese medicine is sub-divided into several patterns with the consideration of individual unique body characteristics and composition. Each individual will be treated by specific and unique regimens and strategies, just as a tailor prepares your clothes.