What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science, which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction of the human body.

Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China. In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. It’s use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire, and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the U.S. until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.

At first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect the body.

Historians have stated, “More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing arts, both ancient and modern.”

Acupuncture is also referred to as Meridian Therapy when the practitioner employs the principles of Acupuncture without the use of a penetrating needle. Acupuncture is a principle and not a technique. Therefore, there are many ways to stimulate an Acu-point other than by using a needle.

In our office we offer Meridian Therapy as well as Acupuncture. In place of needles, Dr. Boyle may choose to utilize electronic stimulation, pressure massage, or tapping of the Acu-point. The principle of Acupuncture does not change only the technique. This allows us to treat patients that might otherwise not try Acupuncture because they fear the use of needles.

How does it work?
The Eastern theory behind acupuncture seems very strange to our western scientific way of thinking. Early Chinese physicians discovered an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates to the internal organs at over 1,000 Acu-points all over the body. This energy works in harmony with the body’s circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary, and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect on a body system or anatomic location may become evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key Acu-points on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.

The Western theory behind acupuncture relates more to the effect that needles and stimulation of known points on the skin may have on the nervous and hormonal systems. The neurological theory behind acupuncture is called the counter-irritation theory of pain management. It is believed that the insertion of needles into the skin irritates the nerves and causes the nervous system to decrease its sensitivity to pain. An example of that theory would be rubbing a fresh injury immediately after it happens to make the pain go away. The hormonal explanation for acupuncture is called endorphin/enkelphin theory. These two hormones are known to be secreted during acupuncture. They are manufactured by the body and both have the same analgesic qualities as the drug opium.

Is treatment painful?
One would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypodermic injection. However, four Acupuncture needles can easily be inserted into the hollow opening in a hypodermic needle. Due to the extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensation to that of a mosquito bite. Needles obviously have their place in clinical practice; however, Dr. Boyle often uses electronic stimulation of Acu-points with equal effectiveness. This type of electronic acupuncture is completely painless and is quickly becoming the standard worldwide. Thus, if you are afraid of needles, you can still experience the benefits of Acupuncture.

What conditions can be treated with acupuncture? Textbooks list well over one hundred different conditions that can respond to Acupuncture. The World Health Organization, working in close harmony with the International Acupuncture Training Center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has indicated Acupuncture can be effective for the following conditions: Pain relief (acute and chronic), headaches (migraine, tension, cluster and sinus), trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, neck pain, mid-back pain, low-back pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-operative pain, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, etc.

Can acupuncture help with addiction control?
Acupuncture has gained a great deal of notoriety in recent years concerning its considerable success with addiction control. It has been shown that Acupuncture has a very positive effect in the area of both drug and alcohol addiction. This procedure, in conjunction with professional counseling has been proven extremely effective.

The most note worthy addiction that Acupuncture can help is smoking. The average patient can reduce their intake by at least one half within 24 hours of the first treatment. Several additional treatments usually allow the patient to stop without experiencing the negative side effects of quitting. Acupuncture can also have a favorable effect in weight control. Currently there are several clinics in the U.S. solely devoted to smoking cessation, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and weight loss.

Is acupuncture expensive?
Acupuncture is very affordable. The initial visit and examinations cost $60. Typical treatments cost $40. Most cases require between eight and 10 treatments occurring at a frequency of twice a week. Some insurance companies do cover acupuncture and Dr. Boyle is a credentialed provider with several networks.