What is Acupuncture?

Almost every website or book you come across will define acupuncture as "The insertion of fine needles into an acu-point to bring balance.."

Well, that is true, but what does that really mean?

Our focus and passion with practicing Chinese medicine is to help you realize that it is easy to understand and friendly to those who are unfamiliar with it. So, we’re going to step out of the normal jargon for you and tell you what acupuncture means to me. We’ll then list the textbook definitions below, so you can gather your own understanding of the medicine.. then We'd love for you to come talk to me about it!

Acupuncture is amazing... You’ll be truly astonished by its effectiveness every day! It can be very gentle, or it can be like an arrow straight into the heart of your symptoms. The point here, is that Acupuncture has the ability to be very flexible and focused for each patient.

Acupuncture to me is one of the best forms of treatment that we have found to address the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual irregularities that I may face throughout my life. It is there for me in times of stress when we need immediate relief, and we use it as a preventative measure regularly.

We love to feel the qi when we get acupuncture, and so do most of our patients. Some of them even love to have the needles inserted and feel a big qi response (see below). Where as others don't want to feel anything at all. Most people fall somewhere in between, which is why it is very important to be comfortable with your practitioner, so you can communicate what you want.

We find that it always seems to make me feel better all over, and our patients say just the same thing. After their first visit they often report feeling better within the realms of their biggest complaints, but will also admit that they slept better, had more even emotions and had more energy. Sounds good right?!

What makes acupuncture at PDX Acupuncture so unique? 

We are a results-driven clinic.  You will feel and experience the difference in our care. At PDX Acupuncture, we provide acupuncture that is safe, results-driven, and integrative at its core.

Treatment is typically a little bit different each time. You experience the world and all its glory in between treatments, so each time you walk in the door you are slightly different, and things have changed a bit.. sometimes a lot! But, you have a specific body constitution and it stays relatively the same.. so we will focus treatment on you and your constitution as well as on your current pain, disease, or symptom picture.

Don't think chronic and continuing diseases are exempt! Chronic disorders and diseases are our favorite to treat, as you need support and guidance; a person on your side as you navigate what actually works for you and your disease specifically.

Treatment might look like a few needles and a big cry session, it might look like relaxing body needles and muscle release on the upper shoulders and back to ease your neck pain, it might look like needles along the spine to reset your nervous system or help with very specific organ disorders such as a leaky bladder, a stagnant liver, lungs that can't quite get a deep breath due to stress, or points on your low back to ease menstrual pain, or even over 40 extra needles on your face to rejuvenate that collagen and elastin so you feel like your younger self.... you name it!

We will work together to design a complimentary Aculand treatment plan that includes our "pillars of treatment" and you will have the opportunity to engage in our Aculand treatment plan focusing on your "pillars of health." Our treatment plans will have you on your path to better health in no time.

Integrative treatment from PDX Acupuncture will make you feel better. We pokey promise you. 

 Does it
hurt?

What kind of results can I expect?

This is a tricky one to answer. The actual insertion of the needle is not painful at all. It is the patients interpretation of the qi response that is the hot debate. Most people report feeling a sort of dull and achey sensation at the sight of the needle. They also report feeling that same sensation traveling up or down from the area of insertion. They report other adjectives such as warm, a slight pressure on the skin, a weak electric feeling, a tingling sensation or a presence in the area. Or, they can just feel something different than before but have a hard time using language to describe it.

Since each person is unique and acupuncture takes such a holistic approach, this question can have many answers. Although, typically people respond in one of two ways. People whom have chronic issues (say over a year of the symptom or disease existing) tend to see smaller changes over time, and some exacerbation of symptoms at the start. The good thing though, is when you really put effort and time into your chronic issues with acupuncture, herbs and changes in your diet and lifestyle, often times you can experience a significantly less amount of symptoms overall or just no symptoms at all! I find that people only have to come in once a month or whenever they feel it is appropriate to keep their symptoms at bay.

People with acute symptoms (usually less than a year ongoing) get results a lot quicker. Typically, they have few exacerbation of symptoms and have longer standing results quicker. So you can imagine that it is better to come in sooner than later for your aches and pains!

One thing to keep in mind when considering whether or not you fall into the chronic or acute type of symptom relief is that acupuncture is very cumulative and everyone is different.. so the more frequent you come at the beginning and the more you are willing to do our homework outside of the treatments, the more likely you are to experience some very big changes toward great health. Make your time and money worth it!!

Chinese Medicine Definitions

Biggest Complaint - What you would like me to focus on that day.

Qi response - The feeling or you get when I insert the needle.

MOXA - Artemesia Vulagaris a species of chrysanthemum. The moxa leaf is bitter and acrid, producing warmth when used in a small amount and strong heat when used in a large amount. When it is burned it penetrates all the meridians eliminating hundreds of diseases.

Cupping - Cupping is a therapy in which a jar is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material. This method has the function of warming and promoting the free flow of qi and blood in the meridians for removing cold and dampness and diminishing swellings and pains.

Massage - Hands on the body respectfully and accurately to move the qi and body fluids in order to remove pains and aches. It helps to move areas of mild qi and blood stagnation, relax the patient and sooth the mind.

Ion Pumping Cords - These are wires with a diode in them and are attached to needles shallowly inserted in the body. They are used mostly as a form of treating the root, but can be used to treat specific symptoms as well. There are several schools of thought regarding their use.

Tongue Diagnosis - Observation of the tongue , also known as tongue diagnosis, is an important procedure in diagnosis by inspection. It provides primary information for the diagnosis to be made by the practitioner. The essential qi that the body uses to survive, is reflected on the tongue via the heart meridian which connects to the root of the tongue. That is why the observation of the tongue can help determine the pathological changes of the internal organs.

Pulse feeling - The location for feeling the pulse is at the wrist where the radial artery throbs. There are three regions, the cun (pronounced "tsoon"), guan ("gwan") and chi ("chirr") positions. These regions each reflect two organs. One organ in the deep layer of the pulse and one in the upper layer of the pulse. So in total we feel the qi of 12 organs as we feel the pulse. We look at the depth, strength, quality and rate to again, help determine the diagnosis.

Palpation - Palpation is a method of diagnosis in which the pathological condition is detected by palpating, feeling and pressing on certain areas of the body.

Observation - Observation is a method of diagnosis in which the practitioner understands and predicts the pathological changes of the internal organs by inspecting the patient's vitality, color, appearance, secretions and excretions. Any slight changes in appearance in these areas can tell pathological conditions in various parts of the body. Observation of the body, therefore is of much help to the practitioner to determine a diagnosis.

TDP Lamp- The term TDP Lamp is an abbreviation for Teding Diancibo Pu which translates to “special electromagnetic spectrum” lamp. The TDP lamp increases blood circulation, which aids in muscle relief by emitting 33 essential minerals into your body. The absorbed energy promotes micro circulation and metabolism, helps improve the immune system. It is good for people with sore muscles, arthritis, bursitis, back ache, tennis elbow and joint pains.