ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE MEDICINE 针灸和中醫學 Bruce Xu, Lac,MA,DPL. Acupuncturist
ABOUT THE ACUPUNCTURIST BRUCE XU 提要 National Board (NCCAOM) Certified New York State Licensed Master Degree of Science in Oriental Medicine Graduated from American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Houston, TX in 1998. Practicing in New York State for about 15 years. Affiliated with Strong Memorial Hospital Health provider of BlueCross BlueShield, Excellus, Aetna, MVP, etc.
AGENDA 提要 History of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Development and regulations in U.S.A. Basic theories of Chinese medicine Applications Possible mechanisms Safety of Acupuncture Insurance coverages
CHINESE MEDICINE 中医 Chinese medicine is a pre-scientific system of thought and practice developed over thousands of years, which is deeply rooted in a philosophy with its own perception of the body, health, and disease. There are two main components: - Chinese herbs and acupuncture.
ACUPUNCTURE 针灸学 Acupuncture is based on the premise that energy flows (Qi) through certain pathways called meridians in the human body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this energy flow are believed to responsible for disease. Acupuncture may correct imbalances of flow by inserting of fine needles at identifiable points along the meridians.
WESTERN VS. EASTERN 气 Western medicine is disease oriented, while Chinese medicine is Qi, or energy oriented.
DEFINATION OF Qi (ENERGY) 气 Qi, or energy, is generated from internal organs. It reflects the functional activities of organs, as well as conditions of interacting with each other. Qi or energy provides the driving force of biological activity, maintains body functions, controls and regulates metabolism.
DUALISM: YIN & YANG 阴阳 Yin is a condition or phenomenon which has a nature of cold, stillness, downward, inside, deficiency, nutritional material. Symptoms like fatigue, diarrhea, cold limbs are yin syndromes. Yang is condition or phenomenon which has a nature of heat, exterior, brightness, upward, hyperactivity, and excessive. Symptoms like hot flashes, constipation, and fever are yang syndromes.
ENERGY SUPPER HIGHWAYS (MERIDIANS) 经络 Meridians are the super highways of Qi and blood; they connect organs, tissues and form a biological net work in the whole body. If there is a free flow of qi, there will be no pain; and if there is a blockage, then there could be pain.
ACUPUNCTURE POINTS 穴位 Acupuncture points are in the muscle, tendon regions, about 1/4 inches to 1 inch deep depends on locations. So acupuncture needles are not supposed to hit nerves, arteries, veins and organs, therefore, most time it is not painful.
WHAT ACUPUNCTURE DO? 针灸治疗原理 Regulating Yin and Yang balance energy Eliminating pathogenic factors Opening energy channels Strengthening positive Stimulating energy flow Promoting harmony in body
POSSIBLE MECHANISMS 机理 stimulate release of ß-endorphins into the cerebrospinal fluid. activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. influence the secretion of adenosine an neuromodulator with anti-nociceptive properties. alteration in immune functions. Ref. JAMA, 1998, 280: 1518-1524. Bio Psychiartry, 1998, 44: 129-138. Preliminary Experience Radiology 1999; 212:133-141.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP? 机理 According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), promising results have shown efficacy of acupuncture in adult postoperative pain and chemotherapy side effects of nausea and vomiting, and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, mayofacial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, and asthma, in which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program. (NIH Consensus Conference, JAMA, 11/4, 1998: Vol.280, No.17)
ACUPUNCTURE IS ALSO COMMONLY USED FOR: 痛症 Neuromuscular pain, shingles, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, trigeminal nerve pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, lower back pain, knee pain, leg pain, foot pain, headache, fibromyalgia, hot flash, severe mouth ulcer, irregular menstruation, tendinitis, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tinnitus, dizziness, insomnia, depression, anxiety, detoxification, smoking cessation, health and wellbeing balance, etc.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR NEURO-MUSCULAR PAIN 肌肉神经痛 痛 Conditions like: Muscle pain, muscle tightness or spasm, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral neuralgia, sciatica, partial paralyze, shingle, TMJ, fibromyalgia, etc. Acupuncture may stimulate energy flow, improve blood circulation, relax muscles and tendons, reduce pressure on nerves, and relieve pain. Research has been shown that acupuncture can stimulate adenosine release, which blocks the pain signals.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR SPINAL CORD RELATED PAIN 椎体病 病 Conditions like: Neck pain, lower back pain, herniated disk, bulged disk, stenosis, scoliosis, etc. Acupuncture can not repair any bone related problems, but it may relax muscles and tendons, reduce pressure on nerves, relieve referral pain.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR TENDINITIS 肌健炎 Conditions like: Rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendon injury or inflammations at hip and knee, plantar fasciitis, etc. Acupuncture may reduce pressure and swollen on tendons, reduce inflammation, stimulate healing process, and relieve pain.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEADACHE 头痛 Headache: Migraine headache, tension headache, sinus headache, common cold headache, etc. Acupuncture may stimulate energy flow, balance Yin and Yang in the body, reduce pressure in the neck. Research has shown that acupuncture can stimulate endorphin release, which may help pain relieve.
ACUPUNCTURE FOR ARTHRITIS 风湿病 Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder. Acupuncture may balance immune system, stimulate blood circulation, reduce arthritis attack, and relieve pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Acupuncture may stimulate blood circulation, reduce pressure at joints and relieve pain, but it can t repair joints.
HOW DID ACUPUNCTURE START IN USA? 针灸在美国
FIRST ACUPUNCTURE ARTICLE IN USA? 针灸在美国 By James Reston. The New York Times: July 26, 1971.
ACUPUNCTURE IN US TODAY 针灸学 In 1982, NCCAOM and ACAOM founded. In 1996, FDA has approved acupuncture needles. In 1997, NIH had consensus panel on acupuncture. In 1998, NIH established. NCCAM 43 States legalized its practice. Insurance companies have increased the coverage. Acupuncture in hospital setting and education.
SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS 注意事项 Acupuncture is a very safe procedure, needles are disposable, sterile, and stainless steel. There is no coating and injection. Acupuncture has no chemical or medicine kind of side effect. Patients with pacemaker, pregnancy, or late stage of diabetes need to be cautious for acupuncture. After acupuncture treatment, keep hygiene and avoid vagaries exercise.
INSURANCE COVERAGES 保险公 公司 司 Following insurance companies cover acupuncture service: BluceCross & BlueShield, MVP, Aetna, Worker s Comp, No Fault, etc. Most insurance companies cover ten treatments per calendar year, with some co-pay.