What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an alternative or holistic medical practice that originated in China. It is estimated that acupuncture has been used in China for well over 2,000 years. The practice of acupuncture involves placing very small needles on targeted areas of the skin to treat and improve health conditions. It has been proven to be effective for a multitude of issues. Acupuncture is one of many treatments used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (“TCM”). It aims to correct imbalances of energy flow in the body. The flow of energy in the mind and body is referred to as “qi”, pronounced “chi”. Acupuncture works to get to the root causes of illness and facilitates the body’s own natural healing ability. It is believed in TCM that if qi is restored, illness and disease can be eradicated.
What potential conditions may be treated with acupuncture?
- Chronic pain: neck, back, musculoskeletal and more
- Infertility, hormonal issues, irregular periods
- Chronic inflammation
- Digestive issues
- Allergies
- Headaches
- Depression, anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Stress
- Cancer and chemo recovery
- And more
The primary reason I started using acupuncture approximately 15 years ago was to achieve pain relief in a more natural way. I’ve used it over the years for digestive issues, chronic pain, chronic inflammation, irregular hormones/periods, infertility, overall body healing, and more.
Does it hurt?
Most people ask me “does it hurt?” Yes, it can hurt a little. However, the pain is usually very brief and mild. My inflammation can be so bad in certain areas that the acupuncturist may have trouble getting the needle to go into an inflamed area. So, sometimes it can hurt just getting the needle in the correct place. Again, it is typically only for a few seconds, if any pain happens at all.
What is a treatment like?
For an initial first visit, patients will typically have a brief consult with the acupuncturist and discuss any complaints. The acupunturist will probably check the patient’s pulse from the wrist (this helps determine the patient’s qi) and check other areas of the body where a patient has complaints. The patient may fill out some paperwork and answer questions too, some of which may be different from a traditional doctor.
For the actual treatment, a patient usually lies on a massage type table either on the stomach or back, depending on the area being treated. Needles are placed in the appropriate areas for treatment. The number of needles will depend on the treatment plan. You can see from my photos above that my practitioner uses a lot of needles. Typically, this many needles may not be used. The patient then remains still while the needles do their work. Movement while the needles are in may hurt a little. I’ve been able to use my phone during treatment sometimes, but I recommend taking this time to close your eyes and relax. Enjoy the treatment and let you body heal. My treatments have typically been 30 minutes to an hour. Many times I fall asleep. The needles can have a very relaxing effect on the body.
Are there any side effects?
I haven’t had any major side effects from treatment. I’d consider it very low risk and safe. The needles may occasionally cause temporary bruising. Sometimes my pain can be a little worse after treatment, which can happen with physical therapy too. All side effects I’ve had are very mild and nothing to worry about.
Where have I seen the greatest benefits from acupuncture?
I’ve seen the most benefits with my hormones and fertility. I’ve used acupuncture before every pregnancy I’ve had. I know it has been a big contributor in achieving pregnancy multiple times. I’ve also seen benefits in pain management and overall healing, just at a slower rate.
Before the first pregnancy, I was treated for three months specifically to target fertility and regulate my periods. I had two to three appointments per month. I was advised during that time not to try and conceive. After the three months, I was cleared to try to conceive. Within just a few months following treatment, I was pregnant!! This was after doctors (including fertility specialists) had told me I should use a donor egg because my chances were extremely low (if not zero) because of my medical history and current conditions. I didn’t use an egg donor, fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination”IUI” or in vitro fertilization “IVF” to achieve pregnancy. Everyone that has infertility issues is not a good candidate for IVF. I am not, so that wasn’t an option for us.
The second time I got pregnant I’d been using acupuncture to heal my overall body for three months while also targeting fertility points. I was going approximately twice a week for three months. Unfortunately, that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at around 8 to 9 weeks. However, I was still very thankful I got pregnant. It gave me hope.
Before my third and current pregnancy, I had been using acupuncture weekly for approximately 9 months prior to getting pregnant. I was using it in conjunction with physical therapy primarily for chronic pain and a few injuries. Those nine months of treatment included time during my miscarriage and recovery from the miscarriage, so we weren’t trying to conceive for the entire 9 months. While some acupuncture points did help hormones and fertility too, I was seeking overall healing of my body. I wasn’t just specifically targeting fertility points with just the goal of pregnancy.
I’m still using acupuncture now for pain management and healing throughout my pregnancy, and I will continue to use this treatment.
Healing may not come overnight
I will caution you that patience is required with this type of treatment. These treatments can take time, depending on your issue(s). It isn’t like taking a pain medicine or getting a cortisone shot. Don’t expect one treatment to fix whatever you have going on overnight. Results may be seen after one to two treatments, but everyone is different. If you give up after one to two treatments, you may not be giving the treatment a fair shot. Be patient. Results can happen, but I’d give it a minimum of four to five visits to see if any results are achieved.
Electroacupunture
While I recommend starting with traditional acupuncture first, I’ve also been treated with electroacupunture. This treatment uses needles in the targeted areas of the body, but an electronic device is connected to the needles. It sends electronic stimulation through the needles to the body to the targeted areas. It can tingle or hurt a little bit, but it isn’t too uncomfortable. It can feel similar to a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator) unit. Elecroacupunture has been studied to treat a variety of conditions too, so this may be an option for treatment too. Please make sure to discuss the best treatment options for you and any risk factors you may have if you choose this treatment.
Meridian Energy Acupuncture Pen
My physical therapist also uses an electric acupuncture pen on my injured areas in addition to using needles. She allowed me to purchase one from her to use on myself at home. She trained me to use it. I don’t advise buying one on your own and using it without training. It is another tool of acupuncture treatment to improve the qi in the body, manage pain, and encourage overall healing of the body.
In summary, I highly recommend trying acupuncture for any medical condition you may be suffering from today. My healing process includes many modalities. However, I’d definitely say this has been a very important part of my treatment plan. I will continue acupuncture treatments. I also know it has been a big contributor in helping me start a family.
Do your research or look for a recommendation from another patient to find a respected and licensed acupuncturist in your area. If you are in the metro Atlanta area, here are two practitioners I’ve seen and recommend:
- Dr. Park (404) 935-2200 3631 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Suite 106 Duluth, GA http://parksacupuncture.com/
- Sun Chiropractic William Sun, DC (404) 252-4566 50 Old Ivy Road NE Atlanta, GA (he does both chiropractic work and acupuncture.)
- I’m currently seeing a private practitioner out of her home (not listed above) that does physical therapy, acupuncture and more.
