Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine Alliance Acupuncture
and Oriental Medicine Alliance
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental medicine is a comprehensive system of health care with a continuous clinical history of over 3000 years. Oriental medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbology and bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise based on traditional Oriental medicine principles. These therapies work with the natural vital energy inherent within all living things to promote the body's ability to heal itself. This system of health care is used extensively by one-quarter of the world's population residing in Asia and is rapidly growing in popularity in the West.
Oriental medicine is based on an energetic model rather than the biochemical model of Western medicine. The ancient Chinese recognized a vital energy behind all life forms and life processes. They called this energy Qi (pronounced chee). In developing an understanding of the prevention and cure of disease, these healing practitioners discovered that this energy flows along specific pathways called 'meridians'. Each pathway is associated with a particular physiological system and internal organ. Disease is considered to arise due to a deficiency or imbalance of energy in the meridians and their associated physiological systems. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Each point has a predictable effect upon the vital energy passing through it. Modern science has been able to measure the electrical charge at these points, thus corroborating the locations of the meridians mapped by the ancients. Traditional Oriental medicine uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis, palpation of points and meridians, medical history and other signs and symptoms to create a composite Oriental medical diagnosis. A treatment plan is then formulated to induce the body to a balanced state of health.
Many conditions may be alleviated very rapidly by acupuncture and Oriental medicine. However, some conditions that have arisen over a course of years will be relieved only with slow, steady progress. As in any form of healing, the patient's attitude, diet, determination and lifestyle will affect the outcome of a course of treatment. Patients are encouraged to actively participate in their healing process. Although Oriental medicine can treat most conditions, there are circumstances that can be dealt with more effectively by Western medicine. In such cases, your acupuncturist will recommend you contact a Western medical doctor. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine should be seen as complementary to Western medicine.
In the hands of a comprehensively trained acupuncturist, your safety is assured. Acupuncture needles are sterile and are either disposable or autoclaved between treatments. If you have a preference, you should discuss the type of needles to be used with your practitioner.
Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort. You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the area of insertion. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment. In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture and traditional Oriental medicine's ability to treat over 43 common disorders including:
* Gastrointestinal Disorders, such as food allergies, peptic ulcer, chronic diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, gastrointestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis
* Urogenital Disorders, including stress incontinence, urinary tract infections, and sexual dysfunction
* Gynecological Disorders, such as irregular, heavy, or painful menstruation, infertility in women and men, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
* Respiratory Disorders, such as emphysema, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and bronchitis
* Disorders of the Bones, Muscles, Joints and Nervous System, such as arthritis, migraine headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and low back, neck and shoulder pain
* Circulatory Disorders, such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anemia
* Emotional and Psychological Disorders, including depression and anxiety
* Addictions, such as alcohol, nicotine and drugs
* Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
* Supportive therapy for other chronic and painful debilitating disorders
Oriental medicine is a complex form of medicine that has been practiced in several countries around the world for hundreds of years. As a result, there are many valid schools of thought and traditions within the profession.
As a consumer, in order to obtain the best health care, you should seek a practitioner who has been comprehensively trained in the area of Oriental medicine that you are seeking.
There are two methods for choosing a qualified practitioner who has been comprehensively trained. One is through state licensure, the other is through national board certification.
As of October 1997 33 jurisdictions have passed practice acts licensing fully trained acupuncturists. (See Legislative Update) The laws in these states vary. For example, some jurisdictions include the practice of Chinese herbology within the scope of practice of acupuncture, others do not. In some states acupuncturists are regulated by a state board of acupuncture, in others they are under the department of health, licensing or education or the board of medical examiners. Practitioners may be called Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac. or Lic.Ac.), Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac.), Certified Acupuncturist (C.A), Acupuncturist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine (DOM) or Doctor of Acupuncture (D.Ac.) However, in each case, state licensure means an individual has met eligibility requirements established by the state to practice acupuncture and/or Oriental medicine.
If you live in a regulated jurisdiction, you should seek a licensed acupuncturist.
If you live in an unregulated jurisdiction, you should seek a practitioner national board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). If you need a referral to a qualified practitioner in your area, check the Acupuncture Alliance online database of practitioners. All practitioners listed are state licensed or, if practicing in an unregulated jurisdiction, NCCAOM certified.