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Acupuncture, originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture became more widely known in this country in the 1970s. American acupuncture incorporates techniques from China, Korea and Japan. During a treatment, fine, sterile needles are inserted into specific points on the patient’s body to stimulate the body’s own ability to heal itself. When treated by a qualified practitioner, most people feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. There are a variety of methods which can be used in addition to needling, including herbs, heat application and dietary and lifestyle recommendations.

Further information about acupuncture can be found at acupuncture.com.

Acupuncture is a safe, effective and non-invasive form of medicine that can treat a wide variety of disorders. The National Institutes of Health (http://www.nih.gov/) and World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/en/) recognize that acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine are effective in treating dozens of health conditions, which include:

-Addictions	-Arthritis	-Asthma
-Bronchitis	-Carpal Tunnel	-Chronic Fatigue
-Colitis	-Common Cold	-Constipation
-Dental Pain	-Depression	-Diarrhea
-Digestive Trouble	-Emotional Problems	-Fatigue
-Fertility	-Fibromyalgia	-Headache
-Indigestion	-Irritable Bowel	-Low Back Pain
-Menopause	-Menstrual Irregularities	-Migraine
-Morning Sickness	-Osteoarthritis	-Pain
-PMS	-Sciatica	-Sinusitis
-Sleep Disturbances	-Sore Throat	-Stress
-Tennis Elbow	-Post-Surgical Pain	-Nausea
-Stroke Rehabilitation

How does a community acupuncture clinic work?

Acupuncture has been a community based medicine for most of its long history. In Asia, acupuncture has traditionally been practiced in group rather than individual settings. For acupuncture to be most effective, patients need to receive it frequently and regularly. In this country acupuncture has primarily been practiced with practitioners seeing one or sometimes two patients at a time and charging high prices which has decreased not only patient access but treatment efficacy.

Community acupuncture clinics represent a return to tradition. Community acupuncturists focus on using “distal” points (below the knee and elbow, and on the head and neck) so that patients can remain fully clothed during treatment. Community acupuncture clinics usually use recliners rather than treatment tables. Many patients prefer a community setting because they like having other people around and they can feel the healing energy in the room.