3 Questions to Ask your Acupuncturist Before You Get Acupuncture

Three Important Questions to Ask When Seeking Acupuncture

 

The state of health care in this country has lead to more people turning to more natural ways of taking care of their health.  They are seeking to improve their health, overcome a health challenge, and/or prevent catastrophic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease.  One of the modalities that people are seeking to use is Acupuncture. 

One in ten Americans currently receive acupuncture for pain, digestive disorders, fertility and other health challenges.  The World Health Organization (WHO) and National Institute of Health (NIH) have recognized over 40 specific conditions that can be treated effectively with acupuncture.  A few of these conditions are addiction, anxiety, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and digestive issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chron’s Disease.

If you are someone that is new to this ancient medical healing modality then you may not be sure of how to go about finding a qualified acupuncturist in your area.  There are three very important questions to ask of the person that you are thinking about using for your health care services.   

1. What Is Your Training

In order to become an acupuncturist you must complete a graduate degree at an accredited college.  The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) is the national organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Acupuncture and Oriental Medical Schools and programs in the United States.   There are over 50 colleges in the United States.  To learn more about the CCAOM or to check on a college please go to ccaom.org.   

Most programs are a minimum of four years and consist of studies in both western and eastern medicine.   When an acupuncturist graduates from one of these colleges they are awarded either a Masters Degree in Acupuncture or a Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine.  The degree is based on whether they studied only acupuncture or if oriental medicine was also included.

2. Are You Licensed by the State to Perform Acupuncture

In order to perform acupuncture over 98% of states require that an acupuncturist be certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).   NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AOM).  NCCAOM administers a board exam in which a candidate must receive a passing score in order to be certified.  In addition a candidate must continue a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education every 4 years in order to maintain their certification.   To locate an acupuncturist in your area and for more information please visit nccaom.org.

In addition some states such as California and New Jersey require that you also pass their own state board exam in order to be certified. 

Upon completion of NCCAOM and/or State certification an applicant must then apply for and be issued a license by the State for which they will be practicing.  This is usually the State Board of Health. 

           

3. What is your title?

This is perhaps the most important question you will need to ask.  Depending on the state the title may vary.  Common titles used are Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Acupuncturist, Acupuncture Physician, or Doctor of Oriental Medicine.  If the practitioner you are seeking services with holds any other title then he or she may or may not be NCCAOM certified.  In addition they may not be licensed by the state as an acupuncturist. 

You might ask yourself, why is this important.  In many states physicians, chiropractors, radiologists, and other health care practitioners may perform acupuncture within the scope of their license.  However, many of them have not had any more training than a weekend course in order to learn the diagnostic skills and techniques required to perform acupuncture effectively. They also have not completed any board examination to ensure they are competent in any skills or techniques they might have learned in their weekend course.  

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Acupuncture and Joint Pain

As we get older our joints may stiffen and become prone to pain and injury. This wear and tear is seen in Chinese medicine as a stagnation of the circulation of blood and energy through the body, a lack of “moisture of the tendons”.  Fortunately, there are a number of different ways to counteract these problems. These include Chinese herbal remedies that promote circulation and reduce chronic inflammation, nutritional supplementation and changing the emphasis of our physical activity to be low impact on joints. When a particular joint becomes consistently painful as a result of Osteoarthritis or from a sports injury, acupuncture is a time-honored method of resolving pain and restoring normal range of motion.

When I started practice over ten years ago such claims would have would have caused a skeptical eyebrow to be raised within the medical community. Thanks to a number of studies, acupuncture for these kinds of conditions has entered the medical mainstream.

There are two more notable facts emerging from research. The first is that there have been studies using acupuncture for pain control in patients who were awaiting replacement of the hip and knee, who in spite of the advanced state of the disease received significant pain relief which in some cases alleviated the need for surgery and in more cases delayed the need for surgery which, given the lifespan of a replaced joint, can be a very important consideration.

And the second fact: acupuncturists have always recommended regular follow up visits in order to maintain or improve upon the progress made. This advice was confirmed by a study on chronic osteoarthritis of the knee carried out at the University of Maryland Medical School. In this study the group that had received acupuncture for the initial two-month period were further divided into a group that continued to have acupuncture one time per month for one year and a group that had no further treatment for a year. The first group either maintained or improved upon their initial gains in health whilst the non-treatment group showed a worsening of their pain scores.

Interested in learning more about acupuncture and your health?  Come to the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond on Wednesday, October 24 for their Fall Open House in honor of National Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine Day!  visit www.debifarley.com for details.

© 2012 Deborah Farley, L.Ac, CHHC, DOM

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day is October 24

In an effort to increase public awareness of the progress, promise, and benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, AOM day is observed in the United States, Canada and Mexico by professional associations, research organizations and educational institutions. Many practitioners will host an open house, offer free lectures or even offer opportunities to sample acupuncture in observance of the day.

In the United States, the use of acupuncture and Oriental medicine is at an all-time high. According to a recent study conducted by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), an estimated 36% of U.S. adults use some form of alternative therapy, and 25% have tried acupuncture. According to recent research, 64% of physicians have referred patients to certified practitioners of alternative therapies, including acupuncture and Oriental medicine, and more than $17 billion is spent on the therapies annually. 

These studies and others like them clearly demonstrate that CAM therapies such as acupuncture and Oriental medicine are common practice in today's health care system. They also support the need for consumers to be provided accurate and reliable information regarding their treatment options.

As the owner and founder of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, we will be celebrating the holiday with a Community Open House.   Throughout the day, we’ll offer free talks, demonstrations, door prizes, and literature.  For details and further information, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804 288 3927.

Acupuncture Helps Irritability

Do you ever feel like you just want to scream?  Shout to the roof tops? We all suffer from irritability and moodiness from time to time, but if you find irritability is ongoing and a consequence of chronic stress in your life, then acupuncture may be a great solution for you.

Over time if your emotions aren’t released and imbalances corrected, you may find yourself dealing with more serious emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression.  Physical conditions such as digestive problems, trouble sleeping and the tendency to get sick more frequently can also result and lead to further stressors that just repeat this viscous cycle of imbalance.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, emotional disorders can be associated with a number of different patterns, however, anger, irritability, and frustration are all signs that our blood and qi (life force) is not flowing smoothly. The liver is responsible for the smooth flowing of blood and qi (life force) throughout our body and for calming our emotions. When the function of your liver is stagnant or disrupted, qi can become stuck. This is referred to as liver qi stagnation.

Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common patterns of disharmony seen in today's patients. In addition to irritability and moodiness, signs and symptoms may include: pain in the area below the ribs, stuffiness of the chest, sighing, abdominal distention, nausea, sour regurgitation, belching, diarrhea or constipation, feeling of a lump in the throat, irregular periods, painful periods, and distention of the breasts prior to periods. Liver qi stagnation is commonly associated with PMS.

Acupuncture and Oriental medicine are excellent at relieving liver qi stagnation. Treatment for irritability and moodiness associated with liver qi stagnation focuses on moving qi and supporting the liver and spleen organ systems with acupuncture, lifestyle and nutritional recommendations.

Learn more about how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can be integrated into your emotional and physical wellness plan!  An individualized treatment plan can help you feel better quickly and safely.

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

A Natural Facelift?

If you're concerned that your youthful appearance has fallen by the wayside, you may want to consider a natural, non-surgical “refresher” – cosmetic acupuncture.

So what is Cosmetic Acupuncture? The protocol I have been most impressed with is the Mei Zen (beautiful person) Acupuncture System. After a series of 10 treatments (twice a week for five weeks), skin becomes more delicate, fine lines begin to fade, there is less sagginess and droopy eyelids, and there’s an overall improvement of skin texture and tone. And, as an added benefit, patients report an overall rejuvenation that is not confined to the face. Patients leave sessions feeling more relaxed, focused and even report improved sleep and overall energy levels throughout the day.

Chinese medicine is so advanced in terms of “anti-aging” solutions.  The underlying principles are about restoring natural beauty from the inside out. This ancient approach has worked for thousands of years, freeing up chi (energy) and improving circulation. When performing any type of cosmetic acupuncture the needles in the face are inserted at a shallower depth than in regular acupuncture.  This creates micro traumas in the body that increase the production of collagen and elastin.  This is the same process that happens when you cut your finger and new skin starts to grow.  In addition , there are meridians (pathway of energy) that run through the face and make connections to internal organs. Stimulation of specific points along these meridians balances the body and treats the underlying factors of aging process.

What are the benefits of Mei Zen Acupuncture?   

•Increases collagen production

•Reduces larger wrinkles and eliminates fine ones

•Tightens skin pores

•Prevents sagging, eye drooping

•Radiates skin, brighter eyes

•Diminishes breakouts, acne and more

•Healthier body and sense of well-being

To learn more about Mei Zen Acupuncture, visit www.debifarley.com.

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Acupuncture Keeps Menstrual Pain at Bay

Are you still suffering from cramping, mood swings and bloating on a monthly basis?  Menstrual symptoms can range from mild to severe, and when they happen on a regular basis they can have a serious impact on your quality of life.   And, while many women resort to an over-the-counter pain killer to find relief, a German study following 201 women has shown that acupuncture offers a valid alternative.

The research was conducted at Charité University Medical Center in Berlin, and studied 201 women who agreed to randomly receive acupuncture or no treatment.  After a three month period, which included an average of 10 acupuncture sessions, 63 percent of the women receiving this treatment reported at least a 33 percent improvement in their symptoms, compared with 24 percent of women in the control group. Researchers concluded that acupuncture can render benefits to women suffering from menstrual discomfort and should be considered by health insurance companies as a viable option for treatment.

Source: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2008

Relieve Hot Flashes with Acupuncture

A small, yet intriguing study published in Acupuncture in Medicine found that traditional Chinese acupuncture curbed the severity of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Fifty-three middle-aged, postmenopausal women were divided into two groups; one received such treatments twice weekly for 10 weeks, while the other experienced “sham” acupuncture with blunt needles that did not penetrate the skin. In both groups, levels of estrogen and other hormones were measured before the study began and before and after the last session. Menopausal symptoms—hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary tract infections and mood swings—were also measured before and after the treatments, using a five-point menopause rating scale (MRS) in order to assess their severity.

At the end of the study, the women receiving Chinese acupuncture scored significantly lower on the MRS scale, with hot flashes seeing the sharpest decrease. The researchers explain that acupuncture boosts production of endorphins, which may stabilize the temperature control system of the body. They say that more investigation is needed because the study was small, but note that its results seem promising, suggesting that traditional Chinese acupuncture could be an alternative for women unable or unwilling to use hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Source:  This article appeared in the May 2012 issue of Natural Awakenings magazine.

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Acupuncture Eases Unexplained Symptoms

Peninsula Medical School, at the University of Exeter conducted research on 80 patients who experienced headaches, muscle pain, extreme fatigue or joint and back pain to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture on their ailments. The study, led by Professor Andrew Gould, followed 80 adults who had consulted their general practitioner eight or more times in the prior year for these various unexplained symptoms. Half of the group received up to 12 sessions of five-element acupuncture treatments during a six month period; the remainder received no extra treatment.

The patients receiving acupuncture reported improved well-being and scored higher on an individualized health status questionnaire than the control group. They reported that their acupuncture consultations became increasingly valuable and that the interactive and holistic nature of the sessions gave them a sense that something positive was being done about their condition.

Professor Andrew Gould said it is important to offer patients other options when conventional medicine isn’t working. “We don’t know how acupuncture is making a difference, but it seems to be something to do with the treatment, rather than just a placebo or the one-to-one care the patients are getting,” explained Gould.  The study was the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Source:  The research results were published in The British Journal of General Practice.

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia.  To learn more about improving your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Oriental Medicine and Autumn Allergies

Oriental medicine has been used to treat allergies for hundreds of years. Several studies have confirmed that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be helpful for allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema, and food allergies.

Some foods contain the flavanoid, quersetin that can cross-react with tree pollen. Quercetin can reduce allergic reactions by having an antihistamine effect. It also decreases inflammation.  Quercetin is found in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.

In a study published in Allergy, 52 people with allergic rhinitis were randomly assigned acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbal tea or sham acupuncture and herbs for six weeks. Nearly 85 percent or the people receiving the real acupuncture and herbs had 100 percent or significant improvement of their symptoms, versus 40 percent of those getting the placebo treatment.

Spice up your menu! Remember to use plenty of spicy additions to raise your body temperature, which ultimately draws heat OUT to the surface where it’s released as perspiration, eliminating toxins and impurities.  Try adding spices that range from mild to hot (fresh ginger to cayenne pepper) and use in menus as well as summertime beverages.  Spicy dishes can thin mucus secretions and clear nasal passages.  Ginger is a natural antihistamine and decongestant. It may provide some relief from allergy symptoms by dilating constricted bronchial tubes.

Food intolerances also seem to be connected with seasonal allergies. A healthy colon can decrease food sensitivity, which can, in turn, lighten the burden on your immune system. To support your colon health, increase fiber and add active probiotics that can restore the balance between good and bad bacteria in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.  

If you suffer from allergies and are interested in using acupuncture and/or are curious to learn about eating the right nutrition to best support your individual health, contact the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond at 804.288.3927.

Deborah Farley is a licensed acupuncturist, naturopath and owner of the Acupuncture Clinic of Richmond, in Richmond, Virginia. She's a leading authority on using nutrition and Chinese medicine for treating symptoms and root causes of illness.  For additional resources to improve your health and wellness, visit www.debifarley.com or call 804.288.3927.

Enhancing your Detox

You might be wondering how to get the best out of your detoxification program.  There are many different ways to do this that involve supporting the three biggest organs in the body that are associated with detoxification.  These three organs are the skin, intestines, and kidneys. 

Our skin is the biggest system in the body.  When the intestines and the kidneys can’t handle how quickly the body is detoxing then you may see toxins coming out through the skin. This may manifest in something like more sweating, foul sweating or with outbreaks such as acne.  Two of the best ways to support the skin is through dry brushing and by doing a sauna.  Dry brushing involves using a natural bristle stiff brush to gently brush the skin in a circular motion always towards the heart.  Dry brushing not only helps to remove any dead skin cells but it also moves toxins into the lymphatic system to be eliminated.  A sauna can of course induce sweating which also helps to remove toxins from the body. 

The intestines are also one of the largest organs used to detoxify and eliminate toxins.  Everything gets dumped in to the intestines to be eliminated.  When the intestines can not eliminate the toxins fast, they maybe re-absorbed back into the body.  You want to make sure before you embark on any detoxification program that your intestines are working fully.  Many people don’t realize that it is normal to have three bowel movements per day, usually one after each meal. 

If you find that you are constipated there are many teas such as Senna tea, Smooth Move tea and others that can help to move the colon.  You can also do a colonic (also called colon hydrotherapy) or an enema.  Both of these are excellent ways to ensure that you are clearing the intestines and any built up mucoid plaque that has accumulated on the walls of the intestine. 

Other things that you can do to enhance your detox are; light gentle exercise such as walking, yoga, bicycle riding, or swimming.  You might also consider massage.  All of these activities help to move toxins into the lymphatic system and out of the body.  In addition, acupuncture is a great modality to support the body physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Finally there are several detox teas that contain herbs such as dandelion that can help to detoxify the liver and enhance the cleansing process.  Other herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile, or ginger are nice to enjoy if you are having any tummy discomfort. 

The Agony of Defeat or Act of Wisdom

As much as I hate to admit it I have decided to not continue with my triathlon training. It appears as if my body is not made to run in any form or fashion. About a month ago I did too much too soon and ended up with the beginning of shin splints. This in turn led to starting to have problems with my ankles. It appears as if the shin splints are healing but I'm still having trouble with my ankles. I've tried a little jog here and there and it just isn't happening as I can feel the shins screaming at me to stop. So.... where does that leave me with exercise.

I am not defeated and I do not feel bad about giving up. I gave the training 100% + and I feel great about what I was able to accomplish. So my back up plan is to get back to 1 - 2 days a week of yoga, some daily strength training, and at least a 30 minute walk every day. I will also incorporate a bike ride each week. I hope to throw in some swimming in the summer as I rediscovered my passion for swimming. I also hope to do some hiking and maybe kayaking with friends as well. Will keep you updated on all of this as it progresses.

What I would really like to point out is how important it is to listen to your body, honor yourself and accomplishments and don't worry about competing with anyone. As humans we will keep pushing ourselves to either prove something to ourselves or to someone else. What or where does that leave us? A very hurt and/or broken body. In my practice I see the results of what happens when people push their bodies too far and don't listen to them. They will end up with surgery, joint replacements, or chronic pain and often seek my services to help alleviate this pain and discomfort. It's important to listen to our bodies and know when something isn't working for us and find an alternative to that activity. It really isn't the agony of defeat it is an act of wisdom.

I leave you with these questions is my form of exercise hurting my body and what can I do to continue my exercise that will not be as stressful to my body?