Acupuncture: The granddaddy of holistic health

Of all the holistic remedies which treat the body, acupuncture is perhaps the oldest and most time-tested of all.  For those unfamiliar with this ancient Chinese practice, tiny needles are injected into the body along certain energy ‘highways’ along the body, called meridians.  Meridians can’t be seen and the routes these ‘highways’ travel through the body typically don’t change.  The points where the meridians lie are located using anatomical locations and proportional measurements. 

 

The energy traveling along these highways often get blocked (very similar to a traffic jam on the freeway), which causes pain, stiffness, fatigue and other symptoms.  The needles stimulate the energy along these highways to clear up the blockages.

 

“A lot people need to be guided through the first session,” says Jim Rohr, the acupuncturist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach.  “The most important thing people need to know before starting acupuncture is that the needles don’t hurt.  To put clients at ease, I start with points on a client’s back, so there is no temptation to look.  The process is very safe, there’s more an issue of most effective placement of the needles.

 

“Chinese medicine works across the mind, body and spirit spectrum.  Acupuncture is no exception.  The meridian in the middle of the abdomen is the celestial pivot.  It’s a good point to target for someone lacking purpose and direction.  Another point is the outer mound on the ankle.  This is a great place to work when you are trying to overcome anxiety or a struggle.”

 

As I personally experienced with Rohr, acupuncture is 100% painless.  He started with the thinnest needle he uses and then used the thickest.  I didn’t really feel either needle enter my forearm, let alone feel any pain.  After he took the needles out (one from each arm), I felt a very slight burning sensation, similar to the feeling one gets in their muscles after lifting weights.

 

Like most therapies, acupuncture programs are tailored for the individual to provide maximum effectiveness.  Another point to keep in mind is that the brain will stop responding to the treatment if points on the same meridian are continuously re-used.

 

Do not hesitate to consult a licensed and qualified acupuncturist.   They have been helping people feel better for thousands of years.