Phranque Wright

It depends on the type of treatment they are giving you. If you get something just to relieve the allergy symptoms it helps by boosting your immune system, strengthening lung function, etc. If you get an allergy "elimination" treatment - which is done by people trained for it - it helps eliminate the allergy completely so it doesn't return.

This is done by basically reprogramming your central nervous system into accepting the allergen as "safe" instead of as "dangerous". We get allergies when a protein enters the blood and white blood cells tag it as "dangerous" so even if it really isn't dangerous the body goes haywire when it comes in contact with the substance. The elimination treatment stimulates the nervous system as it introduces the substance so the body so the body will accept it again. An acupuncture version of "turn it off and on again so it reboots with the new program".

Find a Licensed Acupuncturist who does NAET treatments with acupuncture for the elimination. For general relief, any Licensed Acupuncturist should be able to help.

Good luck.

I'm not quite sure what you are talking about, but I believe you are talking about some type of mattress or something that has nubs on it that you lay on. I can't really say they are effective, but it does help some people, so it may help you, but it's not a guarantee or an endorsement. I believe they are pretty safe, since there's no real insertion of a needle, like you would get at an acupuncture clinic, but again, I've never used one and don't know which type you are referring.

If you want to see a Licensed Acupuncturist, I do trust them to be safe and effective because they will be able to assess what is happening and where you would need a focus on treatment for your condition. A mat would not be able to asses that or change for you, whereas a human can.

If the mat is inexpensive and you know people who swear by it, go ahead and try it. If you want someone to care for you and help you get better, I again suggest going to a professional Licensed Acupuncturist.

Good luck.

Ear seeds are an alternative to needles for auricular acupuncture. Instead of inserting a needle, a seed (sometimes an actual seed and sometimes a mini ballbearing) is taped to the part of the ear that would be needled.

Auricular (ear) acupuncture is a microcosm-type of acupuncture treatment we do in Chinese medicine. There ear, as a microcosm represents the whole body and points on the ear correlate to other body parts. This is similar to "reflexology" where the foot is the microcosm and massaging different parts of the feet help other body parts. We also have hand, scalp, abdomen and other microcosms we use to represent the whole body, but the ear and feet are the most popular.

By stimulating the area of the ear, it stimulates treatment to the correlating body part. It's best to have this done by a trained professional who can administer the treatment correctly, assess your full needs and be aware of any post-treatment cautions, etc.

If interested in using this, go find a Licensed Acupuncturist in your area - be sure they are an L.Ac., not a chiropractor or physical therapist who had little training - go to someone who has full training.

Good luck.

I actually prefer an Osteopath over a Chiropractor, only because too many chiropractors have a "patient mill" type treatment strategy i.e. they do the same thing to every patient like an assembly block. This, of course, isn't true for all, but it is a strong majority in my experience.

I generally opt towards acupuncture with massage to keep the body flowing properly, and then occasionally will suggest a patient go see an Osteopath (or chiro) if I know a rib or vertebra is out and feel an adjustment would help. The acupuncture and massage treatments do, however, address these concerns as well. If the bone is out, the adjustment can help, but if the muscles are tight it will get pulled out again, so we need the muscles to let go and let the bones be set.

In a more concise answer - the three modalities work well together, but I believe the acupuncture does more for you. Not only treating the pain, but helping the muscles align and assisting the other organ systems in the body. I would go to an Osteo for something that the Acupuncture wasn't able to readily address, the same as I would suggest going to an MD if someone had a break. Let them do their work then come back to us for our finishing, and more thorough work.

However, I cannot decide for another person what is "better" for them. Some people prefer one over the other for themselves, so I suggest exploring both options and see who you click with more.

Good luck.

Unfortunately, there is no "usual" answer to this question any more than it would for any other medical modality. I have had pain patients who got treatment and it lasted years, and I have had patients who felt good only until they got home and then there's everything in between. I do know that the more one gets treatment, the more the healthy aspect seems to last, so if you have gotten a treatment and it lasted 3 days, the next time it may last a good week or more, etc. The problem is that life still takes over and activity can exacerbate issues - which is really unrelated to the treatments. Also, other aspects come into view like our emotional states, our stresses happening in different moments of life, etc.

So, the true answer is that I cannot know the future, but I do know that it will be helpful for you most likely and that it will keep getting better longer or, if you are one of those "miracle patients," it may stay well for a good long time.

Good luck.

Yes, acupuncture helps knee pain. If acupuncture wasn't good for anything else, it is certainly good for pain. Any type of pain from headaches, to joint pain, to menstrual cramps and even tooth pain. In fact, in some hospitals in China (and at least one in the US) they use acupuncture only as anesthesia during major surgeries (even open heart surgery).

Personally, I treat knee pain every week. I treat a Roller Derby team that has knee problems from over use and from injury and they all get better very quickly.

The treatment would use both local points (near the knee) and distal points (on limbs or other body parts away from the knee) to treat various aspects of the cause of the pain. The practitioner may also use massage or a warming technique, they may add a topical rub or some herbs. There are many tools that we have in our medicine besides needles - though the needles themselves can do a lot to help.

Go find a Licensed Acupuncturist in your area, they will diagnose the root of the issue and treat accordingly. Feel free to ask them about the process. Not seeing you personally I cannot know how exactly you'd be treated.

Good luck

I have tremendous success treated knee pain on Roller Derby Team players. The longer you wait the harder things become to treat. So find a licensed acupuncturist in your area and get started right away.

It doesn't hurt like getting shots or getting a tattoo. You might feel an initial prick, but it's negligible. Some types of techniques feel stronger than others, but just stay in communication with your practitioner. We don't want patients in pain. Most feel relaxed and even fall asleep on the table.

We have our own form of diagnosis in Chinese medicine. So, when you come in, the practitioner will form a diagnosis and treatment plan then. You do not need a western diagnosis. Even if you had one, again, we would have our own. A lot of issues similar to yours, MD's have no clue.

Acupuncture has wonderful effects on pretty much ant type of pain. I personally work on Roller Derby players who constantly get knee, hip, and shoulder pains. The acupuncture relieves the pain almost immediately in most cases.

I cannot know exactly where your practitioner would put the needles in your particular case, but generally some may be local i.e. at or around the knee. Other needles might be placed on arms or legs or ear depending on your practiomer's diagnosis and treatment style.

Be sure to go to a Licensed Acupuncturist, (L.Ac.) not a Chiro or PT.because you want someone properly trained.

Good luck.

I have treated many patients for all types of emotional disorders. Acupuncture treatments help regulate hormonal secretions, release the body's dopamines, it helps calm the nervous system and gives patients a very relaxed sense of well being. Over time, the body will maintain the regulation, so you might go often in the beginning, but less often later. A good practitioner will also help you learn about thought patterns, lifestyle habits, mental habits ir other issues for your specific case that may help you change at more levels. Mind, body, and emotional heath are all important and thus explored in our medicine. If your first practitioner isn't helpful, go find another. Find one who specializes in emotions and you should succeed in your goal. Be sure that the acupuncturist is an L.Ac, don't go to a Chiro or MD who "also does acupuncture." If you can find a 5-Element type practitioner.

Good luck.

Acupuncture is non-addictive and has minimal to no side effects. Any dangers with acupuncture are minimized when administered by a trained, licensed professional. It is extremely safe and incredibly effective for treating pain, managing pain and relieving pain.

If you are interested in getting treatment, find a licensed practitioner in your area (Licensed Acupuncturist L.Ac.). It can greatly improve your condition with no medications, no addictions and little to no side effects.

The pain in your hand would be treated with what we call distal points. These are areas away from the painful area (could be on the arm, or leg or even opposite arm/leg). We would never needle directly into an open wound.

The acupuncture treatment itself will not bring a bacterial infection to your hand anymore than brushing your teeth would. That is, as long as you didn't brush your teeth then brush your cut with the same toothbrush. A licensed practitioner would again, not needle into an open wound.

Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.s) use single-use, pre-sterilized needles when working on patients. They also do not needle or directly handle open wounds on individuals. In my 20+ years of practice, no one has gotten an infection from my work.

Your wound can get infections from any place if it is not cleaned and covered/bandaged. I am assuming that you are keeping your cut covered with a breathable bandage and are making sure that you don't handle dirty or contaminated items with that hand. These same precautions of keeping it clean and covered should be done anywhere you go.

There is a risk for hemophiliacs when it comes to any type of needles, wounds, injuries, etc. But there are also ways to help minimize the dangers and to address any problems that can result.

If you choose to go to an acupuncturist, make sure they are Licensed Acupuncturists in your state (an L.Ac., not a DC who does acupuncture or a PT doing what they call dry needling). Let the practitioner know of your condition and they will be sure to maintain precautions necessary and should also use point combinations that would call for a minimal amount of needles with mild stimulation.

They may also have herbal formulas that could help you with your situation and pains.

Good luck in your pain management.

I'm sure you are aware that anemia comes from a deficiency of Iron in the blood. Acupuncture treatments can help your body's digestive system work better so that the absorption rates for all of your nutrients increases. There will, of course, be a dietary aspect to your treatment and maybe an herbal formula used. There could be suggestions of taking iron supplements until your levels are regulated, but you are probably on that already.

Acupuncture treatments also can treat what we call the Chong Mai, which is very helpful for tonifying the body's blood levels. Go find a licensed practitioner (L.Ac.) and they should be able to help you in a variety of ways.

There is a chance that the needle could prick a capillary, which to any person wouldn't be a problem, but could be a problem for someone on blood thinners because the blood thinners prevent normal clotting.

I very rarely have any bleeding or bruising happen when I needle and this is true of most acupuncture practitioners, but when I was a student, a classmate of mine had caused an excess bruising on a family member who was on blood thinner medications. So, it isn't unheard of, but it is rare that this happens.

If you got a flu shot or had some IV put in or had any other medical procedure, it too would be dangerous if you were on blood thinners, but I am certain your MD would not prevent you from getting those. It's all a matter of professionalism and open dialogue.

I would advise you to be very open with your practitioner if you do choose to go to Acupuncture. It may actually help you get off blood thinners, but I cannot say without knowing your case.

Good luck.

A very common response to acupuncture is a feeling of relaxed overall sensation. What I like to tell my patients and my students is that is because acupuncture puts your body into it's true state of "deficiency". What I mean by that is it lets you know how your body really feels. A lot of us overdo things and ignore the fact that we are stressed, overworked, unrested, etc. Acupuncture removes the excess stress hormones and brings us back out of "fight or flight mode" (which happens in any stressful situation). As a result, many patients feel tired, because, in fact, their body IS TIRED from all the overwork we load on it.

This generally lasts a day and after a good nights rest you should feel normal again. Normal, here, meaning more well adjusted and in tune with your overall feelings. This is the start of new, better health.

On the flip-side, some patients, after a treatment, feel super energized. This happens when the body has been holding back it's ability to utilize the energy we normally have and the treatment opens the blocked release allowing us to feel more energy.

So, we never know how you'll react, but do allow for rest after i.e. don't plan huge activity after until you know how you respond.

Have fun, good luck.

I cannot speak for your friends specific condition, but odds are that there was another factor involved. If this was your friends first session, they may have had some anxiety, or excitement/anticipation. They may have been anticipating or experiencing some pain during treatment, etc. You do not mention how long after the session this happened - did you take b/p just prior and just after?

In any case, just let the practitioner know this happened so they can assess and act accordingly.

Congratulations on spelling it "Qi" - which is the Pinyin version. It can also be spelled "Ch'i" "Chi" or lay people usually would say "Chee". The term being used comes from a Chinese character that in one section is the symbol for "rice" and another section is the symbol for "air" or "steam" or "heaven". etc. Please keep in mind that Chinese characters refer to a pictorial/conceptual idea more than an actual "single word definition".

With that in mind, Qi is something that is both physical and non-physical, hence the two parts combined as one. It represents the rice as well as the steam or the fuel we get from foods. Some translate it simply as "energy" others say it refers to "life force". In a sense, all things are qi in different forms, just as all things are energy in different forms. The character is almost the same as Einstein's equation E=MC2, where energy and material substance are the same thing.

So, the simple answer is that it is the energy systems in your body (lung qi works with respiration and distribution, spleen qi transforms food to energy the body can use, heart qi circulates the blood and houses our ability to experience emotions and on and on...) But at the same time is also the physical body itself, which is make up of the energy we transform through the air that we breathe and the foods that we eat.

The physical body is qi in a substance form (like the rice in the character) and the functions of the body (circulation, strength, activity of cells, thoughts, emotions, etc are the "non-tangible qi" that is represented in the "air, steam, heaven, etc" section of the character.

With acupuncture, we are manipulating, regulating, moving, building and assessing the "qi" (which is actually a plural term, not just a singular item) when we treat you.

I hope I was able to help you start to understand.

Usually, when western medicine doesn't see anything wrong, there may still be some issues that we in Chinese medicine are able to assess and help fix. I recently had a patient similar to your condition and after the 3rd or 4th treatment they were actually going twice a day. The only thing that made it get worse again was when the patient starting eating excess sweet or cheesy foods.

Diet can be a huge part, as well as emotional factors and just general miscommunication of body functions. Western medicine separates the body functions into categories, but in Chinese medicine we look at how they all work together and how one body function (such as, say respiration) may affect another (like digestion) as can emotions, lifestyles, diet and a whole slew of other issues.

If you're not getting help from the MD's and don't want to rely on laxatives, by all means, try a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in your area to get some relief. It may take a few sessions, but you should notice change quickly. If you're first choice isn't helping, find another - there are always better practitioners to find.

Good luck.