There are many styles of acupuncture practiced here, in the US, by acupuncturists with ample training, and by those who put needles in patients with out much depth in their training. The latter would be PT’s, Chiropractors, and others in the medical field. The physical act of inserting a needle is executed with little thought as to what is happening in the meridians and there influence on an acupuncture point, and vice versa. Let’s look at some the hallmarks of a proper acupuncture treatment.
1) Both sides of the body are treated, not just the front or back. The majority of acupuncturists treat only one side of the body, without thinking about the synergistic effect of the front side of the body to the back side, and conversely the posterior of the body’s influence on the front. For example, to treat mastitis, the knots and congestion on the upper back, between the shoulder blades must be freed. The same with allergies; of course we will place needles in relevant points to treat the sinuses, throat, eyes, or respiratory system, but this must be reinforced with treating the relevant points on the neck and again, that area between the shoulder blades that gives rise to a myriad of disorders.
2) Is a root treatment being done? A root treatment means that we tonify the deficient meridian(s) and redistribute or disperse the meridian(s) that exhibit excess. By doing a root treatment, you are being treated on a constitutional level, as opposed to just chasing symptoms, which leads to transient results.
3) The use of moxa or moxibustion is paramount to the healing process. Moxa refers to both the mugwort plant that is burned directly or indirectly on the body. Direct moxa has been researched deeply, and has shown to increase cellular immunity, regulate blood sugar levels, and increase both red and white blood cell count. Did you know that the Chinese characters for acupuncture are symbolic for needle and fire? The fire radical refers to the use of moxa. Scrolls found at a tomb in Mawangdui in China depict the use of moxa. The tomb was sealed 168 BCE.
4) Blockages in the neck and traps are cleared. This is crucial. Stiff shoulders lead to migraines, allergies, asthma, COPD, hiatal hernia, vision problems, constipation, and high blood pressure. The same can be said of the neck/occiput region, which is comprised of 15 specific muscles and ligaments! Even laryngitis is relieved by loosening off the neck.
5) Loosening off the low back/gluts is another area that must be addressed for optimal health. We often sit or stand for long periods. Work, driving, and even sex, put tremendous demands on this major joint. If we have pain of stiffness in our low back or gluteal region, we feel less than optimal.
I hope this article has illuminated some of the aspects of what a thorough acupuncture treatment is and how that may be experienced by you, dear patient. Why not function at your highest potential?
