1) Fast, effective, pain relief: If you were to walk up to someone on the street and ask them what acupuncture treats, chances are they would say pain. Why? Because for more than 3,000 years, acupuncturists have been treating pain with great results! Now, with the integration of technology and Western knowledge, we treat it better than ever. Sometimes we insert the needles nowhere near the site of pain, which is best for those with swelling and tenderness at the point of pain. I had a patient this week with wrist pain so bad tears were streaming down her face. I had her focus on exactly where in her wrists the pain was, and I placed needles in her opposite ankle at corresponding meridian points. I had her check her wrist again, not 10 seconds after putting the needles in, and she lifted her head and looked at me, stunned. “How did you do that?” she said, as she hunted for the point of pain in her wrists. Three years, a master’s degree in Chinese medicine, and a big student loan, that’s how.

2) Stress reduction: Acupuncture is very unique in its ability to calm the mind and anchor and settle the spirit. It is common for clients to comment, “Wow, I can’t remember when I felt so clear and relaxed.” Not only does that feeling stay with you, but, just like in meditation, you can remember it and pull yourself into the same state in stressful situations.

3) Immune support: Western medicine has many great qualities; that’s why I am a hybrid-type practitioner who uses both modern and classic techniques in my practice. One aspect of Western medicine, however, that is not a strength is what we call “supporting the righteous.” Western treatments are designed to block, reduce, counteract and suppress, while Chinese medicine is big on shoring up what is weak to maintain balance and harmony. We have herbs that supplement and gently nourish the body, and plants that stimulate the immune system to “keep your forcefield strong,” as I say. I have studied the works of Misha Cohen at the Quan Yin Center in San Francisco. Cohen has been keeping the immune systems of HIV-positive people strong since 1983 and is a pioneer in modern AIDS research. Her book on HIV wellness is a gem for all who want to learn how to optimize their immune system naturally.

4) Addiction/cravings/recovery: Although acupuncture has been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, the idea of using acupuncture to help people overcome certain addictions is relatively new. In fact, the idea of acupuncture as a form of addiction treatment happened almost by chance in the early 1970s, when a patient who happened to be suffering withdrawal symptoms from an opium addiction reported his symptoms disappeared after receiving electro-acupuncture prior to surgery. Dr. Michael Smith at Lincoln Hospital in New York and the Height-Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco began to fine tune the use of acupuncture for the treatment of addictions and facilitating the breaking of this difficult cycle. From smoking cessation, drug and alcohol addiction to sex and overeating, acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support the work of the client and sometimes make all the difference.

5) Because we are who we are: Acupuncturists treat each patient as an individual with a unique history and story. We read the patient in terms of patterns of disharmony and treat accordingly. Not everyone coming in for an ulcer, for instance, will receive the same point prescription. Let’s use the example of an ulcer: Practitioners of Western medicine will either give you a blocker for the acid, or something to neutralize its PH. Both are temporary fixes, requiring continual drug taking as long as there is a problem. If you liken an ulcer to the burning of soup at the bottom of a pot, the soup could be burning because: a) there is not enough water in with the veggies b) the flame is too high, or c) the pot is too thin, so the heat transfers too quickly. All of these problems burn the soup, but the solution to each problem is unique. Similarly, acupuncturists work with your individual circumstances to bring you into balance and harmony.

A note: At my clinic, Uptown Acupuncture on University Ave. in Hillcrest, we are happy to check your insurance coverage. We are a preferred provider for most insurance plans, accept personal injury and worker’s comp. cases, and take Visa/MC and flexible spending accounts. Free 15-minute consultations are also available, and we are happy to answer any questions you have.