Practiced for several thousand years, acupuncture has now gained acceptance among most healthcare professionals in the United States. Acupuncture involves the use of very thin needles that are inserted into the body at very specific points. This process adjusts and alters the body's electrical circuits into healthier patterns, and is used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and health conditions.

Acupuncture is all about balance. There is usually a story of dispersing excesses and strengthening deficiencies in organ systems and the body as a whole. Observation in nature allow for an understanding of common changes of energetic in the human body that can lead to a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Understanding Acupuncture

Acupuncture points connect together forming circuits that are called meridians. Each meridian has a main organ association; these points on the meridian are the strongest for that particular organ. Meridian are organized with designations of a number ascending from 1 and have an organ abbreviation, such as K for kidneys.

You may have heard of Yin and Yang expressed in the Asian culture. While Yin is the nurturing and healing part of our bodies, Yang is the vitality and energy part. To have balance and good health, Yin and Yang must be balanced wisely. Combinations of points on different meridians are commonly used to balance organs or to help specific muscles and tendons. A treatment might use K-3 and K-6 points to charge your adrenals or needle the three meridian crossing of Yin organs at Sp-6 that can actually help regulate reproductive imbalances. Add in a little Ying Tang point on the forehead with GV-20 on top of the head for stress and you have the start of a treatment plan.

Acupuncture Treatment

Generally, there are three reasons for acupuncture treatment: systemic conditions of organ imbalance, musculoskeletal conditions or combination of both. Our patients usually find treatments very relaxing and a sense of change is almost always immediate. Acupuncture today emphasizes a clean process, is safe and can be very effective if applied by a well-trained practitioner. Like electricity that you cannot see, acupuncture energetic is very real and important to every function in your body.  Your body and mind are usually always striving for the betterment of health and balance. The general philosophy of acupuncture works with the body’s natural processes and its ability to heal. Besides the unforeseen, making good life choices is always at the fundamental heart of having good physical and mental health.

All healthcare combine science, art and philosophy. Your diagnosis and treatment can vary from practitioner to practitioner. Because you did not receive good results with one practitioner before doesn’t mean another will not have success.

At Integrative Medicine of Cherry Creek, Dr. Amli offers free acupuncture consultations and welcomes your questions.