When a patient first walks into a treatment room,
the acupuncturist will check four diagnostic methods to collect
information on how to treat him/her with Chinese medicine: observation,
olfaction, history taking and auscultation , and palpation.
Keep in mind that the Chinese will look for different things, Qi and Blood. It is very important
to have a good understanding of the patient before the acupuncture
goes on with his healing methods.
In observation, the doctor looks at the
general appearance of the patient, whether they look pale, lifeless,
overweight, or vibrant and energetic. By looking at the
coating of the tongue the doctor can determine how the patient
is doing internally. Different colors and coats of the tongue
mean different symptoms. For example if there are teeth
marks along the edges of the patient’s tongue, that diagnosis
is a digestive problem. The doctor also uses the sense of hearing to determine if the patient has any abnormal noises
such as wheezing, hoarse voice, constant sneezing, or general
discomfort.
Olfaction is just the observation of smell.
If the patient is emitting bad odors, certainly there is something
wrong. History taking and ausculation is a way to
find out what the patient has gone through in his/her life in
order to determine the cause of disease. Doctors will look
at things like past treatments by other doctors, have they been
working; do family member carry this disease; and personal questions
like symptoms and duration of the present illness.
Palpation is using touch to identify symptoms
and signs. The pulse reading is the most fascinating because
of how your blood runs through the radial artery at the wrists
the doctor is able to “discover the condition of the patient’s
Qi and Blood, and the physiological and pathological condition
of the internal organ systems” (Gao, Duo's Chinese Medicine).
In the diagnostic process the doctor attempts to find the cause
of the illness, not the symptom, by observing the symptoms and
treating it.
From there, the doctor will prescribe your personalized
form of acupuncture and or acupressure treatment as well as what
herbs may assist in the body's healing process. Duration
of treatment may last from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending
on the treatments used. Number of visits depends on seriousness
of illness, how long the patient has had it, and the healing abilities
of the patient.
Complimentary re-evaluation and reassessment each time you come in.
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Your Body
As A Whole
It is important to remember that traditional
Chinese medicine (TCM) is its own complete, holistic medical system.
It treats the whole person and not the disease. It bases
treatment on who you are, where you are, how you are, and when
you are. That means that the authentic practitioner will take
into account your genetic heritage and makeup; your geographical
location; your current physical, emotional and spiritual condition,
as well as your age. These cues factor into your TCM practitioner's
treatment plan and affect the herbs prescribed.
TCM's course of action is to treat the root cause
of your illness, instead of covering it up or controlling this
problem. The goal is to bring your organs back into balance and
regain the balance and harmony within the whole body that's been
lost. TCM practitioners adjust their herbal supplement prescriptions
based on the progress being made in the energy condition. Sometimes
the main focus is on addressing symptoms, at other times it's
on treating the root cause. In the long run, it helps the whole
body to function properly again, rather than just treating the
symptoms or suppressing them (Dr. Lu's article from World TCM Newsletter Vol 3 No 4).
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Acupuncture has been used in hospitals for
the relief of pain during surgeries. Pain inhibitory
systems can be selectively activated depending on the stimulation
variables and the location of the chosen acupoints.
Following needle stimulation, the peripheral
afferent pathways carrying acupuncture impulses are activated.
Upon entering the spinal cord, recognized as the center of nociceptive,
pain receptor, reflexes, primary afferent acupuncture impulses
arrive at the medial and lateral portions of the dorsal horn.
Then it goes to the hypothatlamo-pituitary system (HPS), which
releases beta-endorphin into the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and
periaqueductal gray matter. At different levels of the brain,
acupuncture suppresses the transmission of nociceptive information.
The acupuncture impulses were found to activate the main supraspinal
center regulating the negative feedback mechanism for modulating
pain, releasing enkephalin and serotonin. Thus, analgesia
elicited by acupuncture occurs by inhibiting incoming pain signals.
At a more superficial level, we can look
at the afferent impulses from the actual site of the needles.
When putting an acupuncture needle in, the sensation of it activates
muscle pressure and stretch receptors and the afferent impulses
from these receptors are mediated by large and medium sized fibers.
The pain that was once there has now an analgesic effect.
Again, remember this is why rubbing a painful area can make the
area seem less sore. The person is voluntarily increasing touch
sensation, in this case the insertion of the needle, which inhibits
an activation cell and closes the pain gate. Thus, a higher
pain threshold, and less pain.
The nociceptive response is a complex phenomenon,
states the American Journal of Acupuncture, 1997 (pp 261),
that includes autonomic reflexes, and somatic reflexes such as
withdrawal and voluntary actions (fight or flight). Many
studies have indicated that acupuncture analgesia, or the removal
of pain with acupuncture, is mediated through the peripheral and
central nervous systems (CNS). It has been thought that
Acupuncture Analgesia activates the pain modulatory systems of
the body, thereby suppressing the transmission and perception
of noxious stimuli at different levels of the CNS. The FDA
endorsed the use of acupuncture as an effective method of treatment
for a number of conditions, e.g., postoperative pain from dental
surgery, nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and anesthesia.
Furthermore, the FDA suggested that migraines, arthritis, menstrual
cramps and chronic pain conditions such as low back pain and tennis
elbow are some of the conditions that may effectively respond
to acupuncture treatment.
Acupuncture has a way of communicating to the
brain via different meridian systems to effectively heal the body
and be pain free.
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INFERTILITY
with Chinese Medicine
TCM for infertility includes acupuncture,
Chinese herbs, diet, exercise and life style approach. Questions
about Infertility.
How does TCM help infertility? Acupuncture
stimulates the flow of intrinsic energy in the body, enhances
the blood circulation to the pelvic region and benefits vital
organ function. Chinese herbal formulas tonify (restore) kidney
energy (renal and adrenal function) and nourish the deeper vital
essence to help the body produce a healthy ovum. In addition,
proper exercise, correct diet and a healthy life style all promote
the flow of specific meridians and remove
existing inner psychological frustration restoring your reproductive
health, which helps you not only to conceive, but also to deliver
a healthy, full
term baby.
What is the procedure of the treatment? The
initial phase of treatment involves regulating the menstrual cycle
by clearing the congestion in the pelvic cavity, and nourishing
the deeper vitality. This phase typically takes 3 to 6 months
or more depending on the nature of complaint, trauma, toxin from
medication, genetic influences, lifetime habits and illnesses.
Within this phase, most women will become fertile and open for
conception. You will also benefit from regularity of periods,
bright red blood flow without clots, minimal or no menstrual cramping
and breast tenderness, better emotional balance, enriching sleep,
warm hands and feet, and much more energy. Once conception occurs,
second phase treatment increases the probability of a full term
pregnancy and
decreases the possibility of miscarriage.
Who will be appropriate candidates for acupuncture
and herbal medicine? ****Women with unexplained infertility
or hormonal imbalances, such as
menstrual irregularities, PMS, high FSH level, anovulation, difficult
implantation, and frequent miscarriage, would be encouraged to
seek relief from Acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The most frequent
cause of unexplained infertility or hormonal imbalance is energy
stagnation, which affects blood flow in the pelvic area. Many
years of emotional stress, depression, frustration, overwork,
and improper diet and lifestyle often play a major role in energy
congestion.
How
does acupuncture support IVF? Acupuncture
can strengthen and balance one’s general health, affect the
autonomic nervous system, which is involved in the control of
muscles and glands, and could therefore relax the uterus, increase
the uterine blood flow and make the lining of the uterus more
receptive to receiving an embryo. German researchers have increased
success rates by almost 50% in women having IVF (Fertility and
Sterility, April 2002 issue). It means more hope, fewer cycles,
and a shorter wait for what you most desire: a beautiful, healthy
baby.
More Information from Acupuncture of Dallas
http://www.acupuncture-dfw.com
Parenting Network, Your Pregnancy Week by Weeks
http://www.robynsnest.com/weekbyweek.htm
