One of the Oldest Procedures in the World
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, acupuncture began to become better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his abdominal pain after surgery. Research shows that acupuncture is beneficial in treating a variety of health conditions.
The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. A Harvard University study published in 1998 estimated that Americans made more than five million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.
Dr. Joseph Helms, M.D. of the UCLA Medical School states for various reasons, 8 out of 10 people have an energy imbalance. Independent research has shown this can be anywhere along a nerve's route, particularly along the spine and extremities. These blockages can also be along the vast acupuncture meridians. Reduction or elimination of these blockages can restore energy to the body's tissues and restore health.
Acupuncture Theories and the Meridians
Traditional Chinese medicine theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, and that these connect with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi (pronounced "chee"), throughout the body.Qi is believed to regulate spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. According to traditional Chinese medicine, when yin and yang are balanced, they work together with the natural flow of qi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep the normal flow of energy unblocked, and maintain or restore health to the body and mind.
Traditional Chinese medicine practices (including acupuncture, herbs, diet, massage, and meditative physical exercise) all are intended to improve the flow of qi.
Western scientists have found meridians hard to identify because meridians do not directly correspond to nerve or blood circulation pathways. Some researchers believe that meridians are located throughout the body's connective tissue.
Dr. Jaakkola also utilizes the Erchonia PL-5 cold laser to balance acupuncture meridians and treat a variety of conditions. Treatment times with this method are as little as seconds to a few minutes. Erchonia Medical Lasers made history on January 17, 2002 by being the first Low Level Laser manufacturer to be given marketing clearance as Adjunctive Use in Pain Therapy for the treatment of chronic neck and shoulder pain. They also recently received FDA clearance for the treatment of acne. Low Level Lasers are safe, non-toxic and non-invasive. There has not been a recorded side effect in over 1700 publications. When the body has an injury, the cells are damaged and fail to function within normal parameters. Low level lasers penetrate deeply into the skin and work by restoring this abnormal cellular function. Physiologic effects include improved metabolism, circulation and tissue healing.
Laser therapy may be useful in the following conditions:
tendonitis - frozen shoulder
- fractures
- post-operative wounds
- sprain-strains
- scar tissue
- autoimmune diseases
- chronic or acute pain
- wound healing
- arthritis
- migraines
- disc herniations
- minor nerve damage
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- heavy metal detoxification
