Experiencing an Acupuncture Session

Intake

An acupuncture session begins when the patient and practitioner meet. The acupuncturist observes the patient as he or she walks in, shakes hands, and begins the initial interview. The acupuncturist will want to know about the patient's chief complaint and medical history.

In the search for clues to understanding the patient's current condition, the acupuncturist will inquire about life style, sleeping and dietary habits, sensitivity to climate and temperature (heat, cold, wind), work and exercise habits and overall emotional state. According to NYS law, acupuncturists must inform their patients about the importance of consulting a licensed physician regarding their medical condition and sign a statement they have been so advised.

Tongue and pulse evaluation

Distinct to Chinese Medicine in determining a diagnosis is looking at a patient's tongue and palpating pulses at the wrist. 

By looking at the color of the tongue—the only muscle in the body visible externally—the acupuncturist gets information about the state of energy (Qi) and blood flow in the body. The tongue's coating indicates the condition of bodily fluids and digestive processes. 

In taking the pulse, the practitioner places three fingertips at the patient's wrists and assesses sensations he or she feels in order to determine information about the patient's energy (Qi) and blood flow. Twelve different pulses—three superficial and three deep on each wrist—are palpated in this way. These pulse evaluations provide the practitioner with information about the metabolic state of the body, which is usually described in terms of excess or deficiency.

The tongue and pulse evaluations, as well as the questioning and observation of the patient, help the acupuncturist decide the course of treatment, i.e., what points will be needled and what additional modalities may be necessary. A course of treatment will be planned specifically for each patient.

Will it hurt?

A common misconception is that getting acupuncture is a painful process, much like getting a "shot" in a doctor's office. It is not. The needles an acupuncturist commonly uses are just slightly wider than a strand of hair, ranging in width from .18mm to .25mm. They are made of sterile stainless steel and are disposed of after use. Needles are inserted to a depth anywhere between 2mm and 12cm, depending on the area needled and the individual's body shape. The sensation can range from barely noticeable to a slight pinch, an electrical impulse, a temporary discomfort, or a heavy feeling similar to being massaged "in just the right spot."

Treatments are typically given to the patient when they are lying down, and last a half-hour, sometimes longer. After being needled, it is not uncommon to either fall asleep or enter a relaxed, but lucid, state. Once the treatment is over, a patient may feel either relief of acute symptoms, more energetic, or more serene. Over the course of several treatments, more chronic ailments may begin to lessen in intensity.

Other modalities

Besides needles, acupuncturists make use of several auxiliary methods to treat their patients. 

If it has been determined that there is a metabolic deficiency, the acupuncturist may use moxa, a special preparation of the herb artemisa vulgaris which is heated and used over certain areas of the body to tonify (increase) energy movement. Moxa is also used in cases of pain or spasm in order to invigorate and move congested blood in the area. 

Particularly useful in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues is electroacupuncture, which consists of an electrical current run between two needles by a low-voltage electro-stim device. Electroacupuncture is also used with good results in treating many common conditions and is especially effective in pain management.

For a patient with a common cold, the technique of gua-sha is often used. A spoon-like implement is run repeatedly across the neck and upper back, causing the blood and lymph in the area to come to the surface, releasing toxins through the pores. This also works well for treating local pain. 

The technique of cupping draws the skin into a vacuum created in a small glass cup, an effect used to increase the local flow of blood and fluids. Either pumping air out of the cup or using a flame to remove the oxygen creates the vacuum.

Does acupuncture work?

In use for at least 10,000 years, acupuncture represents one of the oldest, and one of the safest, means of promoting and maintaining health. Working on the principle of readjusting the body's physiological functioning—its innate capacity of restoring health—it has a proven efficacy in treating a wide variety of ailments. Acupuncture has gained worldwide acceptance during the last thirty years. In America it is now recognized for many uses by major insurance companies and is the subject of research trials being conducted by the National Institutes for Health.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reviewed clinical trials conducted world wide and has published a reference list of conditions for which acupuncture has been proven effective, from adverse reactions to chemotherapy to depression, hypertension, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and tennis elbow, as well as conditions for which it has been shown to be effective, with further proof needed. For a list of conditions go to WHO Reference List or view the complete article at http://www.who.int/medicines/library/trm/
acupuncture/acupuncture_trials.doc.

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