How does Acupuncture work?
When done correctly, Acupuncture works by unleashing the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
However, clinically, there are three main reasons why Acupuncture fails to work effectively.
Here they are…
1. You Need The Right Dose Of Acupuncture
More often than not, Acupuncture is ONLY prescribed once a week. With this method alone, the patient may feel some positive improvement in their symptoms – but not enough to get rid the issue for good.
This leads me to a question. If a patient suffering from chronic low back pain seeks to try Acupuncture, do you think a few treatments will correct the problem?
At most, the patient will feel temporary relief for the time being. Though, in most instances, the pain will creep back in – full swing.
As mentioned above, if we know that the body takes time to heal itself, then it would only make sense to treat the patient on a more regular and consistent basis.
For this reason, depending on the complaint and severity, a corrective care plan must be prescribed by the treating Doctor. This strategic course of action is the most effective way to ensure and maintain clinical success.
In most cases, the corrective care plan will require more treatments up front. For example, 2-3 sessions per week for a few months. Once the symptoms are controlled and the patient feels better, treatments will be tapered down to a maintenance plan.
2. The More, The Merrier
When most of us think about Acupuncture, we think about tiny pins – right?
However, within the scope of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is much more to it than just “Acupuncture.” Let’s now quickly investigate the other areas of TCM:
First, let’s talk about Tui-Na – this is a type of medical massage that works along the meridians of the body to enhance circulation. Acupuncture and Tui-Na are always practiced together synergistically to create a positive change.
Next, herbal medicine and western functional supplementation is the use of all-natural products to work along specific pathways of the body to encourage normal or “balanced” bodily function.
Lastly, TCM utilizes other common therapies such as cupping, moxibustion and gua-sha to improve micro-circulation and self-healing.
Alongside the Acupuncture, when you combine all of these other therapies or “disciplines” together, the patient will get better results – The more, the merrier!
3. How’s Your Lifestyle?
Is your lifestyle healing or harming you?
In so many ways, your lifestyle is a HUGE factor when it comes down to healing – or not.
Before continuing any further, what is a lifestyle consultation?
Okay, this is when a Doctor sits one-on-one with a patient and conducts a consultation about improving their “lifestyle” choices. During the consult, topics such as improving ones diet and incorporating healthy exercise habits are emphasized.
But, why do we consult about diet and exercise? … Because if the patient’s lifestyle is not congruent with getting healthier, than the Acupuncture treatments won’t be as effective.
If the patient is committed to healing 100%, then they have to follow the lifestyle recommendations by their Physician. This way, after the Acupuncture session, the patient will only enhance the treatment outcome.
Chris, L.Ac.