Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Traditional Chinese medicine views a person as an energy system in which body and mind are unified, each influencing and balancing the other. Age Defy believes that the use of acupuncture is an important tool to effectively treat physical, psychological and emotional conditions and enhance healing. The traditional Chinese theory behind acupuncture as medical treatment is very different from that of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, imbalances in the basic energetic flow of life — known as qi or chi (“chee”) — are thought to cause illness. Chi is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. These meridians and the energy flow are accessible through approximately 400 different acupuncture points. By inserting extremely fine, hair-thin needles into these points in various combinations, acupuncture practitioners believe that energy flow will rebalance and allow the body's natural healing mechanisms to take over. In short, acupuncture is a balancing procedure.
The Western explanation of acupuncture, In contrast, incorporates modern concepts of neuroscience. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers are studying at least three possible explanations for how acupuncture works:
- Opioid Release. During acupuncture, endorphins that are part of your body's natural pain-control system may be released into the brain and spinal cord. This reduces pain, much like taking a pain medication.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation. Acupuncture may stimulate the nerves in the spinal cord to release pain-suppressing neurotransmitters, known as the "gate theory."
- Blood Flow Changes. Acupuncture needles may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needle, supplying additional nutrients or removing toxic substances or both, to promote healing.
Acupuncture is safe when performed properly. It has few side effects and can be useful as a stand-alone treatment for conditions or to complement other Western treatment approaches. Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective for treating fibromyalgia, pain, nausea, headache, menstrual cramps, sports injuries, myofascial pain, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, digestive disorders, skin conditions, depression, anxiety, insomnia and allergies.
You do not have to believe in Acupuncture for it to work. A positive attitude may reinforce the effects of the treatment received, just as a negative attitude may hinder the effects of acupuncture or any other treatment. A neutral attitude will not block the treatment results.
At your initial visit, your acupuncturist may check pulses and look at your tongue, two components of the TCM system of diagnosis. Based on the diagnosis, your acupuncturist will devise a treatment plan that may also include herbs and dietary recommendations.
Facial Rejuvenation With Acupuncture is a remarkable, uplifting treatment tones the skin and decreases the appearance dark circles, sagging and "neck rings". The skin appears smooth and supple and has a more radiant, lustrous look. Acupuncture facial rejuvenation also enhances the results of our clinical aesthetician treatment programs. Acupuncture facials are a safe, gentle and effective way to relax facial muscles and help stimulate collagen production. Acupuncture facial rejuvenation helps to:
- Reduce puffiness and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
- Improve elasticity
- Tighten the skin
- Increase muscle tone
- Drains lymph and edema and helps eliminate toxins
To schedule an Acupuncture consultation, please call our healthy aging partner, Healthstyle™ Integrative Medicine Center at 408-369-4250 or visit their website at healthstylecenter.com for more information.
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