Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into certain points on the body. These needles stimulate the flow of qi (chee) energy throughout the body, helping to regulate the body’s natural systems. Many people are afraid of needles but acupuncture needles are extremely thin–usually the thickness of a strand of hair–and the insertion is barely noticed. The needles are inserted very superficially in the skin and retained in the body while the patient rests. Acupuncture works by helping to regulate the body’s natural energy flow, to reduce the cravings of nicotine withdrawal, to calm the mind and ease anxieties, and to strengthen and benefit the lungs and clear phlegm, tar and nicotine residue out of the lungs.

Often people smoke to deal with stuck energy in the body that shows itself as feelings of anxiety, tension, anger or grief. Smoking a cigarette draws warm air deeply into the lungs and the nicotine hits our blood stream, then works its way into our brain allowing us to momentarily feel relaxation and release from these emotions. Acupuncture helps by regulating this stuck energy and moving it along in the same way that deep breaths or a few moments of quiet meditation will do.

Acupuncture, particularly ear or ‘auricular acupuncture’, will help reduce the cravings for nicotine by stimulating receptors in our brains that nicotine usually binds to and create a break from the cravings. Ear acupuncture can be done by any acupuncturist.

One of the most powerful benefits of an acupuncture session is the way it calms your mind and eases anxiety. People often smoke to mask feelings they don’t wish to feel or face. Acupuncture helps to safely move these feelings out of the body. People comment that they have more restful sleep, fall asleep easier and sleep longer after acupuncture.

Finally, acupuncture helps to physically remove tar and nicotine residue from the body. This allows the lungs to feel lighter, the voice less gravely, helps stop coughing and improves digestion.  Acupuncture can help stop this addictive feedback cycle and help you to create a new, positive sensory feedback cycle for your brain.

http://www.acos.org/articles/acupuncture-to-quit-smoking/

Case-controlled clinical studies have shown that acupuncture has been an effective treatment for the following diseases, symptoms or conditions:


Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
Biliary colic
Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
Dysentery, acute bacillary
Dysmenorrhoea, primary
Epigastralgia, acute (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, and gastrospasm)
Facial pain (including craniomandibular disorders)
Headache
Hypertension, essential
Hypotension, primary
Induction of labor
Knee pain
Leukopenia
Low back pain
Malposition of fetus, correction
Morning sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Neck pain
Pain in dentistry (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
Periarthritis of shoulder
Postoperative pain
Renal colic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Sprain
Stroke
Tennis elbow

The following diseases, symptoms or conditions have limited but probable evidence to support the therapeutic use of acupuncture:

Abdominal pain (in acute gastroenteritis or due to gastrointestinal spasm)
Acne vulgaris
Alcohol dependence and detoxification
Bell’s palsy
Bronchial asthma
Cancer pain
Cardiac neurosis
Cholecystitis, chronic, with acute exacerbation
Cholelithiasis
Competition stress syndrome
Craniocerebral injury, closed
Diabetes mellitus, non-insulin-dependent
Earache
Epidemic haemorrhagic fever
Epistaxis, simple (without generalized or local disease)
Eye pain due to subconjunctival injection
Female infertility
Facial spasm
Female urethral syndrome
Fibromyalgia and fasciitis
Gastrokinetic disturbance
Gouty arthritis
Hepatitis B virus carrier status
Herpes zoster (human (alpha) herpesvirus 3)
Hyperlipaemia
Hypo-ovarianism
Insomnia
Labour pain
Lactation, deficiency
Male sexual dysfunction, non-organic
Ménière disease
Neuralgia, post-herpetic
Neurodermatitis
Obesity
Opium, cocaine and heroin dependence
Osteoarthritis
Pain due to endoscopic examination
Pain in thromboangiitis obliterans
Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome)
Post-extubation in children
Postoperative convalescence
Premenstrual syndrome
Prostatitis, chronic
Pruritus
Radicular and pseudoradicular pain syndrome
Raynaud syndrome, primary
Recurrent lower urinary-tract infection
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Retention of urine, traumatic
Schizophrenia
Sialism, drug-induced (excessive salivation)
Sjögren syndrome
Sore throat (including tonsillitis)
Spine pain, acute
Stiff neck
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Tietze syndrome
Tobacco dependence
Tourette syndrome
Ulcerative colitis, chronic
Urolithiasis
Vascular dementia
Whooping cough (pertussis)


Source: http://cim.ucsd.edu/clinical-care/acupuncture.shtml

Acupuncture is the insertion of ultra-thin, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points on the body which reside on channels or meridians; these are pathways in both the exterior and interior of the body. These points, when needled, can regulate the way in which the body functions. Acupuncture helps by addressing problems that affect fertility such as an under-functioning thyroid (hypothyroidism) or over-functioning thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Can Acupuncture Be Used To Treat Infertility?
Acupuncture, frequently combined with herbal medicine, has been used for centuries to treat some but not all causes of infertility. For example, acupuncture and herbs will not work to address tubal adhesions which can occur as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis. However, in this situation, an individual could still benefit from acupuncture and herbs because of the potential effect of improved ovarian and follicular function. Additionally, acupuncture can increase blood flow to the endometrium, helping to facilitate a thick, rich lining.

When Should Acupuncture Treatment Begin?
Acupuncture is similar to physical therapy in that it is a process-oriented method of medical intervention. It is better to do more than less. Patients are commonly treated for three to four months before progressing to insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF), or donor-egg transfer. This pacing of treatment seems to have a therapeutic effect.

In a study by Stener-Victorin et al from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fertility Centre, Scandinavia and University of Gothenburg, women are encouraged to receive acupuncture treatments pre and post embryo transfer. Clinical observations from the Berkley Center for Reproductive Wellness suggest that the most effective fertility treatments involve a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and traditional medicine. However, conception occasionally occurs when acupuncture and herbal medicines are used without traditional medical interventions.

Infertility And Acupuncture: When Should I Stop?
Typically most miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy. Consequently, treatment of patients may often last through week twelve to help prevent miscarriage.


What Are The Risks Of Using Acupuncture With Infertility?
There are minimal risks in using acupuncture for fertility treatment. The risk of miscarriage may increase if incorrect acupuncture points are used during pregnancy. This is one reason why those choosing to include acupuncture in their treatment regimen should only be treated by an acupuncturist who specializes in treating fertility disorders. Acupuncture is generally safe regardless of a person’s medical history.

Infertility And Acupuncture: Who Make Up Typical Patients?
Acupuncture can be used to treat any type of fertility disorder including spasmed tubes. Spasmed tubes are often de-spasmed with acupuncture, though blocked tubes will not respond to acupuncture. Acupuncture is often combined with herbal remedies to treat elevated follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), repeated pregnancy loss, unexplained (idiopathic) infertility, luteal phase defect, hyperprolactinemia (when not caused by a prolactinoma), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with annovulatory cycles, and male factor including men affected with sperm-DNA-fragmentation.

Resources:
-Article written by Dr. Mike Berkley on behalf of the APA. Dr. Berkley is an expert on acupuncture, herbal medicines and traditional medicine as means for treating infertility.
-http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/acupuncture.htm

Getting pricked could help stop the pounding, recent research showed.  "Acupuncture stimulates the part of your brain that produces endorphin's, which are natural painkillers,"  explains Alexander Mauskop, M.D., director of the New York Headache Center in New York City.  Ten or more half-hour sessions may be needed to prevent symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and noise, though.  And the price is a bit of a headache:  Few insurance plans cover acupuncture, and each visit could run you $100 or more.  Not ready to be needled?  Get plenty of regular aerobic exercise to prevent severe migraines.  Dr. Mauskop's RX: 30 minutes of cardio three or more times a week.   --As seen in Fitness Magazine, May 2012 Issue, written by Samantha Shelton


At our office, Dr. Kim performs acupressure and needle acupuncture which can help with headaches and migraines.  More and more insurance providers are covering acupuncture and we can always check on your policy to see if it is covered.  Also, we have affordable rates for those without coverage.  (Our rates are much lower than the ones stated in the Fitness Magazine article.)  


If you know anyone who is suffering from headaches or migraines, please have them contact our office for a free consultation.  We greatly appreciate your referrals!

Physical pain is a common occurrence for many Americans. A national survey found that more than 25% of adults experience pain lasting more than one day. Pain is a response of the nervous system which can occur in various natures such as an achy, sharp, dull, or throbbing sensation and which can be localized or all over. It is an alert for us that there is some type of injury or illness present in the body which needs our attention. Most pain dissappates after the underlying condition is resolved; however, some experience recurring or chronic pain. For those who have tried medications or surgery without any results or who want a more natural method of relieve, especially women who are pregnant or anyone who has experienced a bad reaction due to medication, acupuncture could be the natural pain reliever for you.

Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world and the most widely practiced forms of alternative medicine in the country. Acupuncture is divided into two philosophies. The first being the Eastern idea which is a 5,000 year old Chinese system of natural healing (no drugs-no surgery) which is concerned with restoring proper energy flow to the various organs, glands and tissues of the body on the premise that most diseases are the result of malfunction due to disrupted energetics. The Western idea is the use of needles to stop pain by blocking nerve pathways, as well as, the release of your body’s own natural drugs-known as endorphins and enkephalins.

Acupuncture treatments are typically performed by inserting approximately 10 needles into the channels of energy which are called meridians, located throughout the body just underneath the skin surface. Needles are left in places typically for 15-20 minutes. Sessions are performed three times a week for the first two weeks in order to determine the effectiveness of the bodies response. If there is a good response, treatment will be continued until the problem is resolved. Very commonly acupuncture can be used with fingertip pressure, electrical stimulation, and numerous other techniques which do not involve using an actual needle.

Acupuncture can be used in the treatment of numerous health conditions, most of which are related to pain management. There are over two thousand conditions which can be treated with acupuncture. Back pain is the most common condition treated, followed by joint pain, neck pain, severe headaches/migraine, and recurring pain. Typical ailments reported in literature also include carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, neuralgias, trigeminal neuralgia, tics, spasms, muscular rheumatism, neuralgia of the shoulders and arm, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, ulcers, stomach problems, diarrhea, hepatitis, asthma, bronchitis, shortness of breath, coughs, certain types of heart trouble, abnormal blood pressures, hemorrhoids, lumbago, bladder irritation, bed wetting, certain kidney problems, female disorders, impotence, glaucoma (sometimes), weak eyesight, hay fever, loss of smell, tonsillitis, loss of hearing, skin conditions, and even nervous and psychiatric factors based on the fact that mental problems often arise from physical disorders.

Acupuncture is quickly becoming known for its effectiveness and efficiency in alleviating many kinds of pain and many Americans are taking advantage of this process. According to the 2007 National Health Survey, approximately 3.1 million Americans stating using acupuncture in the past year. Though it is most commonly sought out by adults, it is used with growing frequency for children. According to estimates, about 150,000 children in the U.S. underwent acupunture in 2007. Additionally, there are relatively few complications or side affects due to acupucture treatment. Acupuncture is drawing more Americans towards this form of pain management since it has fewer adverse side affects than many standard drug treatments used, such as anti-inflammatory medications and steriod injections. In a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine which was conducted over the past decade, it found that acupucture outperformed standard pain care and sham treatments when used by people suffering from osteoarthritis, migraines, and chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain.

Acupucture is becoming an increasely popular form of alternative healthcare in the U.S. due to its efficacy of treatment, few adverse side effects, and natural method. On average, a very high percentage of patients will respond satisfactory to acupuncture treatment; however, some patients do not respond due to a variety of reasons. Advanced age, severity of condition, irreversible tissue damage, etc., are deterrents to recovery. However, in conjunction with chiropractic, physical therapy, and acupuncture, the odds are very favorable for a good response.

By: Dr. Seyoung Kim, as seen in Brag Book Magazine Fall/Winter 2013 Issue