25 Kilmer Drive
Building 3, Suite 109
Morganville, NJ
732-617-9999
Acupuncture
What is acupuncture?
What can be treated with acupuncture?
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The earliest written record of acupuncture is the “The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon”, dated approximately 200 BCE. However, evidence does exist that a primitive form of acupuncture was around well before this classic text. Bian Stones, the earliest known "acupuncture" tool, dated back to 1600 - 1100 BCE.
The earliest acupuncture instruments Bian Stones were sharp pieces of bone or flint. During the Iron and Bronze ages, metal acupuncture needles began to be developed. Early needles were made from iron, copper, bronze, and even silver and gold.
Modern acupuncture needles are made out of stainless steel and come in various lengths and gauges of width. These acupuncture needles consist of a stainless steel shaft, with a handle made out of copper or steel. Unlike standard needles used for injections, or for drawing blood, acupuncture needles are hair-like thin, solid, not hollow, and have a finely tapered point. In fact, acupuncture needles are so thin that an acupuncture needle can actually fit within the hollow of a standard blood-drawing needle.
Many people will not try acupuncture because they are afraid that the needles will hurt or that the experience will be unpleasant. The most common questions about acupuncture are “Does it hurt?” and “Is it safe?”. My answer has always been consistent. Thanks to modern technology, with proper skills and if the insertion is quick enough, you may not even know the needles has been tapped in. Anatomically speaking, the nerves that sense pain are concentrated in the skin so there might be a slight sense of pinch when the needle is penetrating through the skin. Once the needle is through, the sensation of pinch should stop. Acupuncture is safe as every licensed acupuncturist has to go through extensive trainings. Also, only disposable acupuncture needles are used nowadays.
There are four methods used in Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis process: looking, asking, listening, and palpation.
- Looking is the observation of the patient’s body type, tongue, hands, face, nails, skin and even the way the patient walks.
- Asking is the process of collecting information about existing condition and previous medical history.
- Listening means taking notes of the patient’s tone of voice, breathing, body sounds, and the response to questions.
- Palpation mainly involves taking the pulse, but may also include body palpation. E.g. abdominal palpation and percussion.
In practice, frequently a new patient might be puzzled about why he or she has to stick their tongue out for tongue diagnosis. Another common question is why an acupuncturist would spend minutes long to feel the patient’s pulse. Tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis have been well documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine history. Ultimately, it is up to the acupuncturist how much acupuncture theories will be discussed in the session.
Acupuncture is a science that works with the "energetic" system of the body. In my previous article I talked about EAV, Electro-Acupuncture according to Voll, EAV procedure established by Dr. Voll in 1954. EAV Testing indirectly measures the "Energetic System" of the body. It does not measure the physiology, the biochemistry or the pathology components of the human body. However, the “Energetic System” is related to these components, from the standpoint of physics, not chemistry.
Since the invention of EAV in 1954, many systems/devices have been developed based on the similar technology. At HHWC, we have acquired a BioEnergetic Meridian Assessment & Balancing system that is based on EAV which is helpful for patients to know how their body is doing at the energetic level. For example, we can assess the Liver Meridian with an EAV instrument, the meter will give an indication of the Liver Meridian's energetic status. From there, based on clinical experience we can recommend herbal supplement/remedy. At the same time we also utilize Remedy Testing feature of EAV. The nature of Remedy Testing is simple. If you find a meridian with an unfavorable reading (low, high, or not in normal range ), you can test different remedies on the patient. If a given remedy is favorable to the meridian, it will then alter the reading, bringing it closer to the ideal range. This feature provides a visual report to patients as how the herbs/remedies will be helpful to them.
Thanks to modern technology more research and clinical reports have been published. 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. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, CAM used by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, acupuncture use among adults increased by three-tenths of 1 percent (approximately 1 million people).
At Hands On Rehabilitations, there are three primary goals for each acupuncture session:
· Treat the root cause with a natural approach so the symptoms will subside.
· Balance the energy within to restore normal functions of the organs/systems.
· Provide nutritional, food therapy, and exercise education on a healthy lifestyle.
With these goals in mind, Acupuncture can be used to help many people with various conditions, such as high cholesterol/triglyceride level, allergy, migraine/headache, smoking addiction, obesity, PMS, insomnia, dysmenorrhea/amenorrhea, infertility, menopausal syndrome, pain syndrome (joint pain, tendonitis, LBP), I.B.S., and anxiety and depression to name just a few.
What can be treated with acupuncture?
- Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can assist in reducing your day-to-day health concerns such as low energy, tension/migraine headache, body ache, poor digestion, insomnia, allergy symptoms, male and female health concerns, stress and lack of concentration.
- Dr. J. K. Kuan treats the above mentioned conditions and specializes in the treatment of weight loss, smoking cessation and cosmetic acupuncture.
Weight Loss
Acupuncture for weight loss became popular is 2003 when CNN reported on successful acupuncture weight loss clinics in China. Acupuncture can help you lose weight by strengthening your digestive system. Some theories suggest that acupuncture improves metabolism causing the body to burn calories at a faster rate. In addition to acupuncture, many herbal formulas will be used according to the individual’s body condition. The herbs are there to promote the transformation and transportation functions of the organs. Auricular acupuncture will also be applied to control hunger and thirst and to harmonize the endocrine system.
Smoking Cessation
People who seek out acupuncture for smoking cessation are usually highly motivated to quit smoking. Acupuncture can reduce the cravings and lessen the withdrawal symptoms. Since the first month of quitting is probably the most difficult, the acupuncture program can ease you through this time. The four acupuncture treatments for your quit smoking program are spaced out over three to four weeks, usually two treatments the first two weeks, and then once a week. The treatments focus on any physical or emotional withdrawal symptoms that may arise, and also aid in relaxation. Of course, if you are having difficulty quitting, the program may be modified to fit your needs.
Cosmetic Acupuncture
Cosmetic Acupuncture is an effective, non-surgical treatment to reduce the signs of aging. It is based on the principles of Chinese Medicine, which involves the insertion of very thin disposable needles into the acupuncture points on the face and on the body. This superficial insertion on the face will increase the local circulation to the face and stimulate collagen production, which will fill out the lines and give firmness to the skin for a healthy, glowing complexion.
Is acupuncture covered by insurance?
Many insurance plans now cover acupuncture treatments. Please check with your insurance plan to see if acupuncture is covered.
No insurance package? Here is our Acupuncture Treatment Packages:
4 Acupuncture Treatments |
6 Acupuncture Treatments |
$100 initial visit, $72 per visit |
$100 initial visit, $65 per visit |
8 acupuncture treatments for weight loss & smoking cessation: |
8 Cosmetic Acupuncture Treatments |
$100 initial visit, $60 per visit |
$100 initial visit, $80 per visit |
1. Novak, Patricia D.; Norman W. Dorland; Dorland, William A. N. (1995). Dorland's pocket medical dictionary. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. ISBN 0-7216-5738-9.
Dr. Kuan's Site: http://prosperityhealthcenter.com/