Hello All
I gotta question for all of you.
What does acupuncture do for you? Relieve stress? What effects does it have?
Thanks,
Brian
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Hello All
I gotta question for all of you.
What does acupuncture do for you? Relieve stress? What effects does it have?
Thanks,
Brian
Acupuncture is only one modality of treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which include herbs, tui na manipulation, and qi gong practice.
TCM can relieve a whole spectrum of illnesses and disorders, from stress, infectious diseses, trauma, etc...
Remember, before the introduction of contemporary medicine to china TCM was used for over 2500 years. Same diseases and disorders existed in the past as they do now.
As to what effect does it have, it manipulates the bodies qi, jing, fluids, organs,etc...and brings the body back into harmony, if there is an imbalance. Or it expels a external pathogenic influence, if the cause is determined to be such.
The effect is the same as any type of medicine, which is to heal the patient.
A number of months ago I had a compression fracture of my L4 vertebrae.
I went to the local air force base and got treated.
Their solution: an injection of toredol, to kill
the pain, and rest. When I left there I was still hurting, doped up, and just a little better than when I went in.
The very next day I was still in agony, so i went in to see an acupuncturist. One treatment is all I had.
By the time the treatment was done (45 minutes of electro acupuncture), I had no more pain and was able to deal with a 12 hour flight to UK, 2 weeks of seminar teaching, and a flight back.
Thank Buddha for acupuncture:)
qimaster
My acquaintance had a similar dramatic experience. He had severe chronic tendonitis in by his right elbow that was starting to incapacitate the use of that arm. But all the Western doctors could offer was to *snip* the tendon! Honestly, Western medicine may SOUND advanced because of all the hi-tech machinery & drugs, but its basic theory is actually pretty crude. Find the SYMPTOM (pain, swelling, tumor, etc.) and DESTROY or REMOVE it - like a car mechanic or video game. Whereas TCM sounds a lot more lo-tech, but its theory is actually a lot more advanced.
Anyways, on a whim, my buddy decided to try out this acupuncturist first, before subjecting himself to permanent crippling. Well, the guy stuck him up and down that side with moxibustion needles and he could just feel the heat go down to the elbow tendon. And lo and behold, after the treatment, he was basically cured! All this for a fraction of the time and cost with no side effects! And a real cure, not just pain-relief but permanent dysfunction.
The only reason why Western medicine still carries so much weight is because it's traditional and is covered by insurance, whereas many types of TCM are not. There is a LOT of money and power at stake in this game!!
[This message was edited by origenx on 01-15-01 at 01:11 PM.]
Your question is a bit broad Brian. It could be answered wu=ith something as trite as "it heals you." On the other hand the answer could take several months of in depth study and explaination of Chinese medical theory.
origenx, perhaps your condemnation of Bio-medicine goes a bit too far. The body-as-machine model can certainly lead to soem terrible or even grotesque treatments, but is still a powerful and useful medical approach. There are aspects of structural and functional anatomy that are very weak in Chinese medical theory. I think a blend of the two is a good approach, then the strengths of each modality can complement the other.
"The heart of the study of boxing is to have natural instinct resemble the dragon" Wang Xiangzai
I have had tremendous success with acupuncture on tendonitus (tennis elbow-for me, lion drum elbow) sciatica,and a damaged axilary nerve, which was agonizing me, even though my arm was immobilized in a sling-it hurt even when it didn't move-two sessions, and never bothered me again. My friend and mentor, Sifu Kenny Gong,(may he rest in peace)was the doctor, and I am still looking for someone as good. Anyone know someone in the NYC/LI area?
I appreciate all the stories and explanations. I know it was a broad question but I didn't know how to exactly specify something, my knowledge is just really limited.
Can anyone recommand any good reading materials on traditional chinese medicine or theory?
Thanks Again
Brian
hi-
this is a good book to begin with.
The Web That Has No Weaver.
ISBN 0809228408
peace
Kung Lek
As the woman's world soccer championships are going on here just wanted to relate this. A friend who is a cop was working security on the field and he said he saw members of the Chinese(of course) American and German soccer teams getting needled on the sidelines during the game for injuries that were occuring during the games.
Highly conditioned athletes using medicine that was recently added to two of the three's medical community. I'm sure those jocks could care less why or how or it works, they just know it works and helps them maintain athletic performance that few people reach.
hi
i was curious about acupuncture and were i can learn acupuncture in England/London. i also wanted to know what sort of things it can cure and how it works.
thanks :confused: :)
Why don't you get a basic book about it first and learn the principles of it and then decide if you want to learn it.
There are a few top quality colleges in the country and some quite naff colleges too.
Good ones are: LCTA in London, SOFEA run by J.R.Worsley Jr,
the C.I.C.M. in Reading run by John and Angela Hicks and Peter Mole, and the College in East Grinstead.
Get prosepctuses from all of them as you will find that they all teach different styles of Acupuncture, from TCM, to Five Element Acupuncture to Stems and Branches style acupuncture.
Read up well beforehand and then ask some more questions before you sign on any dotted line, by asking yourself if you really want to do this.
thanks for the advice repulsive monk great idea:D .
P.S any info on acupucture books:confused: thanks.
From my chiropractor. After he hooked me up with about 15 minutes on an electrical muscle stimulator, he hit me with about 9 little needles. Felt good. Felt something pop, something else started to spasm.
Overall, feels better than the regular treatment. We're gonna try this for a while, see what happens.
Just fugging wish that whenever my chest started to heal, I could avoid fugging it up again. Would help my mood tremendously.
God I miss training. :(
What happened to your chest in the first place, and then what do you accidently keep doing to it? (If you don't mind me asking)
What happened:
At my black belt test, caught a kick to my solar plexus. It was rising at just the right angle to break the cartilage, tear some of the muscle around the rib, and to break the rib in two places.
What keeps happening:
I jar it. Usually when I'm driving, I'll hit a bump that'll pull the b!tch out of where it's supposed to be.
It's coming around, though. The combination electroshock/acupuncture/prayer is working pretty good.
I am looking for for an acupuncturist or holistic center in Nassau County or Northern Queens, NY. If anyone has someone to recommend that would be great.
Tomorrow I am going to visit an acupunturist to help me with anxiety and muscle tension. Right now, I am (somewhat successfully, I've cut back alot) quitting smoking and it ain't that easy and I am hoping that this will help.
I will post what I think about the therapy after my visit.
I have just completed a course of treatment with acupuncture and massage. This was for my back.
It aches, cramps and gets stiff. This was from working in a job where I was sitting down all day. Its still not right now.
My opinions are not high. But I wont go into it until you complete your treatment as not to bias you.
Good luck. I hope you have a better experience.
Unfortunately, back issues are sometimes persistent. This may be due to a mechanical (physical) issue (i.e. pinched nerve, etc) that no amount of needling can really remedy. That's not to say it never works, however. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes 28 disorders that have been clinically proven to effectively relieved by acupuncture, as well as a myriad of other complaints that show acupuncture as a promising treatment. (W.H.O., 2003, "Acupuncture: Review and analysis of reports on controlled clinical trials)
Also, if the root cause is not eliminated, the symptoms will often return. So, if you still sit at your job all day, this is one of the root causative factors, and unfortunately, the pain will persist.
I've also seen issues that don't resolve with one practitioner but quickly heal with another - diagnosis, technique and point selection are all vital factors determining the outcome.
Finally, the best way to go is to combine herbs with the acupuncture to heal from the inside -> out.
Good luck and I hope both of your backs get better.
herb ox
I have undertaken three acupuncture therapies so far. She said some stuff about my gall-bladder and my liver being off and it is throwing other systems out of whack. I dont really remember what exactly she said and I dont care, just as long as she knows what she is doing.
Anyhow, it is working. I can feel muscle tension slowly melting away in my shoulders and even in my abdominals and legs. It has also greatly reduced the ringing in my ears and has helped alot with my anxiety and constant worrying that clutter my brain at times.
Overall, I am thinking that this is a good treatment, and though it is a bit pricey, I am going to continue. My next appointment is on monday.
Also, I have been put on a herbal tonic that is supposed to enhance the effects of the treatment. The herbal tonic says that it contains the "historical antecedent" Fang Feng Tang, and Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin. I have no clue what they are, but the tonic has a warming effect which kicks in almost immediately after taking it and it seems to put me in a more positive mood. It also helps me with mental focus.
These formulas are for treating "wind" created by Liver excess - specifically what we call "liver fire uprising" - that's the ringing in the ears, tension, anxiety and unclear thinking. Good stuff... 'bitter herbs better your health'...
Interesting observation about the warmth that you feel after taking the formulas. These formulas are mostly cool in nature, so a warm rush wouldn't seem logical; however, if the liver qi has been constrained, a warm feeling sometimes washes over the body as the qi is 'liberated' and begins to flow smoothly. In fact, severe liver qi stagnation can cause cold hands and feet, which is peculiar since stagnation usually creates heat as a byproduct.
Glad to hear you are having promising results. Keep it up!
in health,
herb ox
There's this one thing that I find really sad. Keep up your treatments if you can afford them.
At my acupuncture clinic, I offer a sliding fee scale from $20.00-$60.00 per treatment. I offer my clients a chart showing how much they make and the 'recommended' amount, based on the fact that I will want to see (most of) them for 10 treatments, once per week. I also don't require any proof of income.
I really liked the "peasant medicine" approach to the Community Acupuncture model, but couldn't incorporate everything due to the lack of space. I only have two rooms. I thought that offering a service at a rate that (almost) everyone can pay was important to me.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and style of practice. I think that's what makes Chinese medicine so great!!! It's like an art form.
Best,
Kenton Sefcik
You could also try St. Johns Wart for you're anxiety.
I started talking it before I go to bed. I sleep like a baby now. And I feel a big different through out the day.
Hello LAc and TCM students,
I just recently registered for an Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine school out here in Southern California. My 1st quarter starts in a couple of weeks. I am starting to think if I am making a mistake. Here's my situation, I work fulltime and my work is about 2 hours from the school. So I will be driving up there right after work to attend night classes twice a week and also taking 3 classes over the weekend. Just wondering, how much studying and homework is involved with the courses? and do you think I am over my head? I am just afraid I will be wasting my money if I end up dropping out before I finish due to being burnt out or some other reasons. I have a few weeks to decide and can get a full refund on my tuition. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
P.S. I have always had an interest in Acu/OM and am getting sick of my line of work (Electronics) and am considering a career change. Just sucks that the program is so long. :confused:
Brother,
It is tough. I was lucky that I had a part time gig teaching martial arts as well as selling my herbs as well as my sugar momma who worked her ass off so that the two of us could survive with me not working very much.
It can be done, but you have to really ask yourself if you want it that badly or not.
Thanks Dale. I was hoping you would reply to this thread. Yeah, this is something I need to think about more before fully committing. It's an all or nothing deal here. Too bad theres no such thing as an Acupuncture Technician or something like that for people who drop out half way. haha. Take care.
I've known of few people who attended the school here in San Diego, it's comparable to nursing school or physician's assistant training in terms of the amount of memorization, study, and clinicals. You maybe able to work part time and be pretty successful 20-30hrs a week. Nursing programs do not allow their students to work full time at all. It's all about time management, discipline, and coffee.
It's not a recipe for success...would you want to be treated by a medical professional/acupuncturist who just barely got by?
If it's a passion go for it, but be dedicated. If you want something that you can do part time look into Tui Na or massage school.
acupuncture
Funniest schtick since Ackroyd's Julia Child. ;)
Did it work for you? Was it painful?
It only hurts when they place it directly into your eyeball, but you get used to it. Had some mixed results...like going to any medical professional...my first time I could feel current moving through my body...pulsing...was amazed as I was skeptical.
I went to some other fancy schmancy sports guy in a fancy medical office, he had some radio talk show and worked with professional athletes. I thought he was full of **** and his treatments roughly a half dozen did nothing to alleviate my sciatic nerve pain and L4 L5 issues in my lower back.
Its like getting a massage therapist or good chiropractic....you have to play the field to get a good connection. If you find someone who works for you, stay there!!!!
I had accupuncture from a western trained westerner for a back problem. It didn't hurt - I barely felt the needles. It didn't work - just made things worse by irritating my skin.
By contrast, I had accupuncture from my old coach - a properly trained traditional Chinese doctor from mainland China. This was for an agonising tooth abscess. The accupuncture was painful - he put the needles in much deeper than the westerner, and then flicked them, so that they vibrated. This was like a miracle treatment. For 48 hours it completely eliminated a pain that was otherwise so bad it was comparable to torture. It didn't cure the issue - but as pain relief, it was amazingly effective.
The only way you'll know is to go try it.
Even my cat has had acupuncture. And it worked for her. :rolleyes:
Gene's just having a bad hair day...perfectly ok to inquire Young Skywalker. Doesn't hurt...oh I did have a coworker who did it to quit smoking, she swears by it. I look at it this way, if it's really effective or just a placebo and I feel better, it's worth the dinero. Taking care of yourself is never a bad thing.
...but there are ones that are too revealing of one's character for a martial forum. For example, let's switch out some alternate words for acupuncture.
Anyone ever sparred?
Did it work for you? Was it painful?
Anyone ever kissed a girl?
Did it work for you? Was it painful?
Anyone ever tried anything new themselves instead of just asking on a web forum?
Did it work for you? Was it painful?
:p
Okay, okay, maybe Hebrew Hammer is right and I'm being a little hard on you, Spiked. After all, you survived yesterday's confrontation with lkfmdc and never once complained to me privately. Most nooBs go running to mama (aka admin & mods) after their first lkfmcd spanking. Good on you.
My cat was old and sick. We did some acupuncture as therapy and it alleviated some of her symptoms for a while. Strangely, it even appeared in our magazine on page 18 of the August 2000 issue in an article titled Tested on Humans. Note that it wasn't my idea to run that. Our former editor had a great affection for cats and when she heard about our catcupuncture, she demanded a story. Also worthy of note, our cat allowed our therapist to stick several needles in her, so it didn't hurt that much, at least not to the cat.
I have personally had acupuncture sessions that HURT LIKE HELL, but being Chinese, Chinese therapists tend to be a little rougher on me.
Dude, my life is a bad hair day. For realz. :o
Bawang's dates also ask me if it's painful or does it hurt? Sigh, we can only speculate...
Same people ask or say that about getting tattoos...I didn't think it was all that painful, more like getting scratched but eveyone has a different pain level and pain tolerance levels.
Gene, my hair is having a bad decade.
I had tried and my insurance had covered for it. It didn't work for me at all. It was not painful.
And it was effective for some things, like some allergy issues I used to have, but not for others, like my chronic pain.
Depends where you get 'em, I suppose. Here near SF, I've seen some tattoos in places that just make me wince.
I feel ya, bro. I totally feel ya. :o