^{Acupuncture Offers Exceptional Treatment Using Traditional Chinese Medicine}

Who would have thought that a tiny needle (or series of needles) could offer such big relief from aches, pains and a whole host of health conditions? Yet, that’s exactly what acupuncture delivers!

Though its origins date back more than 3,000 years to ancient China, acupuncture is still a relatively new therapy in the West. But this age-old technique has been gaining momentum in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe over the past four decades and is now routinely available to treat everything from pain to nausea to stress.

“The World Health Organization recognizes more than 40 conditions that acupuncture and oriental medicine successfully treats, including chronic and acute pain, gastrointestinal conditions, gynecological problems, respiratory conditions, sports injuries, nausea and pain resulting from cancer treatment, and much more,” explains Jay X. Chang, licensed and certified acupuncturist at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPMR) in Peoria and Morton.

What is Acupuncture and How Does it Work?
Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points in the body — most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. The needles are inserted to various depths. Depending on where the needles will be inserted, a patient may be asked to lie down, either face-up, face down or on their side.

A visit to the acupuncturist will involve an exam, an assessment of your condition, the insertion of needles and advice on self-care afterwards. In general, acupuncture involves several weekly treatments. While the duration of these treatments is highly specific to each patient, most consist of 12 sessions, up to 30 minutes per session.

“Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to resist or overcome illnesses and conditions by correcting imbalances,” Chang said. “Acupuncture also prompts the body to produce chemicals that decrease or eliminate painful sensations.”

According to Chinese practice, there are hundreds of acupuncture points along the body’s 14 major meridians, or energy-carrying channels through which “Qi” (chee) circulates. The belief is that illness is caused by a disruption of Qi, which leads to an imbalance of energy. Acupuncture can correct this energy disruption, with the meridian system providing a “road map” of the body for acupuncturists to locate and treat many conditions.

“When acupuncture points are stimulated, it causes a dull ache or other sensations in the muscle,” he added. “The stimulated muscle and sensory neurons then send a message to the brain and spinal cord, causing the release of naturally produced painkillers or endorphins and other neurotransmitters. These help block the message of pain from being delivered to the brain and provide other regulatory effects as well.”

Sometimes the needles are heated or stimulated with electricity after insertion. Once inserted, the needles remain in place for about 20 minutes.

Acupuncture is highly effective in treating dozens of diseases and medical conditions. It can also improve the functioning of the immune system, the body’s defense system against disease.

“For certain conditions, such as cancer, acupuncture should be performed in combination with other treatments,” Chang said.

Acupuncture has been used to successfully treat a wide range of conditions, including headaches and migraine; facial pain from TMJ and paralysis from Bell’s palsy; osteoarthritis; joint pain; allergies, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis; gastrointestinal conditions such as constipation or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome and nausea; gynecological conditions, including painful or irregular periods, infertility, postpartum depression and menopausal symptoms; and other conditions such as stress, depression, anxiety, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, high or low blood pressure, insomnia, vertigo, urinary dysfunction and prostate symptoms.

“There are currently hundreds of clinical studies available that support the benefits of acupuncture,” Chang added. “It is also recognized as highly beneficial by the World Health Organization.”

In the mid-1990s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began regulating acupuncture needles as it does other medical devices. Needles must now be manufactured according to single-use standards of sterility and are intended for general use by qualified acupuncture practitioners only.

Even better, many insurance companies now pay for acupuncture treatment, but it is best to consult with your insurance provider in advance to determine if your treatment will be covered.

“When performed correctly by a licensed and certified acupuncturist, acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment that can be used alone or in combination with other medical treatments,” Chang added.

For more information about acupuncture services available through IPMR, call 309-692-8670 to schedule a complimentary consultation. No physician referral is required.

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