All About Acupuncture

By Felicia Assenza, ND

Acupuncture has been steadily gaining popularity in North America over the last while. It’s showing up in medical and wellness settings of all sorts, and even has promising research for use as a primary alternative to addictive pain medications in the opioid crisis we are currently facing¹. While it may seem new and exciting here on the Western side of the world, acupuncture has actually been around for thousands of years.

The magic cure?

Acupuncture has been developed over thousands of years as part of a system of medicine known has Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and, as you may have guessed, its beginnings trace back to Ancient China.

As you can imagine, there are large differences between the culture in China (especially Ancient China) and our modern Western culture. For this reason, learning about acupuncture and TCM requires some understanding of a culture much different from the one we’re used to on this side of the world. It’s very much like learning a new language! For this reason, there tends to be a lack of understanding around the topic, leading to explanations like “It’s magic!” and statements like “I don’t believe in all that.” 

While I’m all for believing in magic, I also think it’s important that the vast amount of critical thinking, observation, and experimentation that have gone into developing acupuncture does not get overlooked. It’s also exciting to note that research is starting to help us explain acupuncture on a more physiological level^2,3, in a way that the Western medical system can more easily understand.

How can it help?

Acupuncture has been traditionally used, not only in pain management, but for many ailments we’re familiar with such as insomnia, allergies, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, depression, hormonal issues, neuropathy, arthritis, migraines, nausea…the list goes on. When used in the holistic context of Traditional Chinese Medicine, treatment involves looking at you as a whole person (body, mind, and spirit). It involves a thorough intake and understanding your history, symptoms and lifestyle, along with careful observation of physical signs of what may be happening in your body.

Once we have a clear understanding of you and which acupuncture points may benefit you, thin needles are inserted at those points, and you’re left to relax and let healing do its work. Most patients don’t even feel the needles and leave the office feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks before lasting improvements in symptoms are seen. Diet and lifestyle changes are almost always part of the process as well.

Are you interested in trying acupuncture? Do you have more questions about how it works or how it can help you? Let’s chat. Book a free consult and I’d love to answer your questions! You may even want to check out one of our acupuncture meditation sessions.

In the meantime, check out this entertaining video of Oprah getting acupuncture.