Chinese Herbs
In Western medicine, the use of LD50
(Lethal Dose) is used. It means that 50%
or more of the ANIMALS tested during
the trial died. If 49% die, the product is
available for use by humans. The LD50
standard is being phased out as of 2002,
since it kills too many animals
(www.users.rcn.com 12-09-04).
Chinese herbs have been in use on
HUMANS for thousands of years and are
quite safe if taken properly.
A good practitioner will use Chinese
herbs that are GMP certified. GMP stands
for Good Manufacturing Process, which is
a higher standard than the United States
requires. GMP products are tested for
heavy metals, pesticides, sulfur content,
and other contaminants.
The most common negative side effect of
Chinese herbs is a mild stomach-ache,
which is alleviated by taking the herbs
with food or taking less of the product.
As with anything one ingests, allergic
reactions are possible.
No one knows, yet,
how all our Western
or Chinese medicines
work, but they do
know that they DO
work. Studies are
constantly underway
to discover more
about these substances.
How many treatments will I
need?
The number of treatments you will need
depends on your condition, its severity
and duration, how you respond to
treatment, and how complex your
condition is. You might require a single
treatment for a simple or acute condition
or a series of treatments for a chronic,
stubborn, or complex case.
The results from acupuncture vary. You
may have a dramatic result after the first
treatment, or you my notice the results
hours or days later. Some stubborn
conditions require a number of treatments
before positive results are noticed.
Almost everyone notices a change after
the first treatment.
FAQ About Acupuncture
& Oriental medicine
What is Oriental Medicine?
Oriental medicine is the full complement
of modalities used by practitioners:
acupuncture, Chinese herbs, cupping, Gua
Sha, Reflexology, Tuina, Moxibustion,
and diet & nutrition.
It is the oldest professional and
continually practiced medicine in the
world.
How does acupuncture work?
Well, no one knows, exactly. Western
medicine has spent millions of dollars
trying to answer this question. The
Chinese explain it by using the term “Qi”
(chee) or ”Chi” (key) in Japanese. The
body is transversed by channels, internal
and external, and Qi travels in the
channels. The Qi’s job is to warm,
protect, move, and nourish the body. If a
channel gets blocked or stuck, the Qi can’t
function properly and pain or illness
results.
Studies reveal the channels are electrical
in nature, have an absorptive quality, and
MRI’s show brain activity when certain
points are stimulated.
Does it hurt?
Normally, one feels a sensation but it is
not painful. The sensation of heaviness,
achy, dullness, and distention are often
described.
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Many practitioners are trained in several
types of acupuncture; Chinese, Japanese,
Korean, European, Vietnamese, Tan style,
fasciculation therapy, etc. This makes
them a well rounded practitioner and
gives them more tools to use to treat your
condition effectively.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is performed by the insertion
of needles through the skin at certain
points to treat bodily dysfunctions.
Acupuncture needles are very fine, (the
size of a hair), solid, and flexible. They
are disposable, sterile, single-use needles.
Hypodermic needles used for injections
are large, hollow and rigid – designed to
force liquid into the body. That hurts!!
What happens during the
appointment?
Generally, the practitioner will do a
thorough intake, which includes asking
questions, feeling the pulse and looking at
the tongue. Based on the information
gathered, he will develop a diagnosis for
your condition.
The practitioner strives to treat the root of
the condition, thereby curing the problem,
not just the symptoms.
The practitioner will use whatever
modality he thinks is appropriate and you
are comfortable with to treat your
condition.
What problems can be treated
with Oriental medicine?
Most medical conditions that you can
think of, Oriental Medicine can address.
Like all medicines, Oriental Medicine
works very well for some conditions and
moderately well for others.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
reports 20% of the world’s population
uses Oriental Medicine for
primary health care. Its use is
rapidly increasing in the United
States and Europe.
The National Institutes of Health (1997)
recommends acupuncture for postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and
vomiting, and post-operative dental pain.
In addition, the NIH suggests acupuncture
as an adjunct therapy for addiction, stroke
rehab, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis
elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain,
osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpel
tunnel syndrome, and asthma.
The WHO recommends acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine for 28 medical
conditions to include; pain, digestive
disorders, women’s health (hormone
imbalance, hot flashes, menses, infertility,
induce labor, morning sickness) allergies,
nausea and vomiting, trauma, and
arthritis.
A technician has minimal training and is
generally supervised or has limited use of
the therapy.
Licensed medical providers (ND, DC) are
required to obtain 100-300 hours of
acupuncture training and pass a
proficiency exam.
A MD or DO may receive no training and
be certified to practice acupuncture.
As Western research trials are concluded
more medical conditions will be added to
the list.
A licensed acupuncturist has 1700 - 3200
hours of training and generally has a
Master’s degree in Acupuncture or
Oriental Medicine.
These conditions are what have been
accepted by the Western medical
profession in the past few years. The
Chinese have been practicing this
medicine for thousands of years and it is
known in China to treat most nonemergency medical conditions.
As with any profession, check their
credentials, schooling, national
certification (www.nccaom.com),
licensure (www.ibol.idaho.gov/acu.htm),
length of time in practice, and their
experience with your particular ailment.
Other conditions not yet studied that
Oriental Medicine works very well for
are: pain of all sorts, post stroke, Bells
Palsy, emotional disorders, stop smoking,
recuperation after surgery/child birth,
detox of heavy metals, drugs, and other
contaminants, restless leg syndrome,
insomnia, cold/flu, breech baby,
headaches/migraines, frozen shoulder, hot
flashes, etc.
How do I choose a practitioner?
In the state of Idaho there are technical (T.
Ac.), certified (C. Ac.), and licensed
acupuncturists (L. Ac.).
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