What is Acupuncture?
Over the past 5,000 years, acupuncture has evolved into a complete healing system that includes the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions. This unique and ancient system of understanding the human body incorporates the treatment of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Health and harmony are achieved when the correct quantity, quality, and movement of Chi (pronounced "chee") exists throughout the body. Chi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain, and disease. Illness, or lack of harmony (imbalance), is a result of the reduced quantity, quality, and movement of Chi.

What is Chi?
(pronounced "CHee")
Chi is energy, life force, and vital force. It is also spelled Qi. What can affect Chi? Chi is affected by stress, medicines, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle. Some affect Chi positively, and some affect Chi negatively.

What happens when the flow of Chi becomes blocked?
Chi is meant to flow freely throughout the meridian network carrying its vital force to all the body's parts, organs, and systems, thereby encouraging them to function with each other in a natural, harmonious way that leads to sound health. But any sustained blockage or other disruption of a balanced flow or distribution of Chi may bring on pain, a weakened immune system, and ill health.

It's important to realize that while such blockage causes diminished Chi in one organ or part, it may also cause excessive buildup of Chi in another area. This phenomenon can be understood by visualizing a meridian carrying Chi as like a freeway carrying cars. On a freeway, we know what happens when one or more lanes become blocked. It's a similar idea with a meridian. A blockage may cause a deficiency of Chi beyond the blockage and a buildup of Chi before the blockage, which may mean diminished activity of some organs and accelerated activity of others. Either way, Chi is imbalanced, so its flow must be normalized through an acupuncturist's skilled and expert care.

What can be done about blocked, imbalanced Chi?
After the initial consultation and examination, the acupuncturist completes the diagnosis and begins carrying out the treatment plan. The objective is to normalize the flow and distribution of Chi and balance its circulation by stimulating the selected acupoints via needles or other means. The treatment plan will most likely call for treating one to twelve or more points on each visit. At the practitioner's discretion, herbal therapies may be prescribed.

What will my acupuncturist do?
Your acupuncturist will begin by taking a full health history. This may include asking questions, assessing the energetic pulses, and looking at the tongue and/or abdominal palpitation. These are effective diagnostic tools that enable your acupuncturist to obtain a clear picture of your overall health. If signs of weakness, imbalance, or blockage are found, your acupuncturist may use a variety of non-invasive and gentle treatment methods to restore the balance and flow of Chi, thereby facilitating your natural ability to heal. Some of these techniques may include acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, tuina, pediatric massage, or moxibustion.

What kind of pulse will the acupuncturist take?
This pulse is an energetic pulse, unlike what your MD would check. The energetic pulse is an acupuncturist's key diagnostic tool, and it changes from moment to moment. It is like a gas gauge on a car. If the gasoline is Chi, the pulse is the gas gauge to show how much gasoline is in the tank. The pulse tells an acupuncturist the quantity and quality of the patient’s Chi.

Why does an acupuncturist want to look at my tongue?
The tongue is another diagnostic tool that acupuncturists use. It represents how the patient's health was approximately three months ago. Different areas on the tongue represent different areas of the body. An acupuncturist may look at the shape, color, coating, and moisture to help determine a diagnosis.

How many visits will I need to make?
Your acupuncturist will determine the number of treatments needed to help you after a diagnosis is reached.

Do the needles hurt?
Most patients do not feel the needles go into the skin. The needle is the thickness of a human hair and is only inserted 1/10 of an inch. After insertion, the patient may feel Chi sensations which can feel like warmth or tingling throughout the body.

Can you use acupuncture on children?
Absolutely. We have treated infants as young as 9 days old. Infants and children can be treated for a wide range of conditions and respond faster to treatments than adults. Caring for your child's health with acupuncture is safe, natural, drug-free, and effective. It's the perfect way to allow your child to grow and thrive.

What type of education does an acupuncturist have?
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, an acupuncturist goes to school for 4 years to attain a graduate degree in Oriental Medicine; this program is similar to medical school for a medical doctor. An acupuncturist then takes the National Board Examination to become certified. After completion of the board exams, an acupuncturist applies for licensing in his or her state of employment.

What is moxibustion or moxa?
Moxa is an herb that is used to warm up a meridian or pathway of Chi. It smells like incense.

What can acupuncture treat?
According to the World Health Organization, the National Institutes for Health, and clinical experience, acupuncture is useful in the treatment of:

• Chronic and Acute Pain: Injuries, headaches, neck and back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia

• Neurological Disorders: Post-stroke recovery, Bell's Palsy & Trigeminal Neuralgia, movement disorders

• Upper Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, allergies, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, laryngitis, colds, and flu.

• Digestive Disorders: Irritable bowel, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, heartburn, food allergies, ulcers

• Urinary and Reproductive Disorders: Cystitis, menstrual cramps, irregular or heavy periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms.

• Immune Function: Recurrent infections, supportive treatment for cancer and AIDS patients.

• Addictions: Addictions to nicotine, alcohol, and drugs.

• Eye and Ear Disorders: Tinnitus, Meniere's disease.

• Chemical/Emotional Imbalances: Depression, Anxiety & Insomnia

What About Other Conditions?
Please contact Hipple Acupuncture to find out about other conditions that can be treated with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.