Can Acupuncture Help?

Can Acupuncture Help?

Acupuncture May Be Able to Help You

This article is for those of you that have been on the fence or unclear about how acupuncture can help you.  Hopefully after you read this it will help to clarify if you’re an ideal fit for what our clinic has to offer.

How Does Acupuncture Help?

Explaining how acupuncture works can be challenging, but it may help if you imagine an electrified web that wraps around your entire body. Every single cell in your body is connected through this web and is in a constant state of movement and regeneration.

Therefore, to maintain the health of your body, old cells have to be broken down and, in addition, new ones reconstructed. This process happens every second throughout one’s life. In addition, for this task, the cell needs the material and energy for the reconstruction, and in acupuncture theory this material and energy is referred to as “Qi”.

Explaining Stagnation

Problems occur when there is stagnation, or a “traffic jam” in the flow of Qi. Cells connected with lines that are “jammed up” are unable to perform their tasks. This results in signals from the body that something is wrong.

Acupuncture Can Help Many Issues

The most common signal that the body sends is pain, which tells us that there is a blockage of qi and blood. There are other signs, such as digestive issues, poor sleep, hormonal imbalance, elevated blood pressures,memory issues, Macular degeneration, frequent colds, fatigue… The list goes on.

We all have tangled energy circuits in different parts of our bodies. And our bodies in its wisdom compensates, until the load becomes too much to handle.  However, acupuncture treatments simply disentangle the energy pathways and allow the innate healing power within your body to stop the pain or correct the problem.

If Acupuncture Can Help Me, What is a Treatment Like?

On your first treatment, we’ll go through your health history and,in addition, spend some time talking about your conditions and how they are affecting your energy circuits.

After that, some diagnostic testing will be done to make sure we have a correct Chinese medical diagnosis.  These include Chinese pulse (21 different positions, 80 different pulse types and 9 depths), tongue diagnosis (different areas of the tongue correspond to different organ systems) and a Japanese hara testing that confirms what we’ve seen.

The Acupuncture Treatment

Then we’ll do an acupuncture treatment and let you rest for 30 minutes.  The entire treatment will take about 2 hours.  Follow up treatments will usually take an hour or so.

It may be interesting to you that during the acupuncture treatment most of our patients fall asleep and are actually surprised at how little they feel the needles. They may feel a slight sensation or “tingling” which is considered normal and actually shows that the treatment is working.  We have never had a patient refuse treatment because of pain.

How Much Would it Cost for Acupuncture to Help You?

The cost of the initial treatment is $145.00.  This includes going over your health history, the pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, and Japanese Hara diagnosis followed by an acupuncture treatment. Subsequently, follow up treatments are $75.00.

Length of treatment varies from patient to patient.  Some will see great improvement in 4 – 6 treatments while others will take longer.  However, the longer you’ve had the condition seems to be a factor in how quickly you respond.  Remember, acupuncture is healing the body at the root of the problem and, as a result, you’ll need to be patient as the body heals.

What Can Increase the Chances of Acupuncture Helping?

Above all, the patients that have the most success in our clinic share certain characteristics.  First of all, if they are suffering from illness or pain they are very motivated to do everything possible to recover.

In addition, they’re committed to getting better and their well being is a top priority.  Moreover, they’re willing to follow our recommendations and are committed to making the changes that are necessary to help their bodies heal.  We will expect you to follow our office policies, do what we ask you to do and enjoy the healing process.

Patient Experiences

So grateful for Kurt & Amy! They truly care about their clients and make every visit a successful one. My husband struggled for months with health issues that seemed unsolvable. After only one week of visits, he started feeling so much better for the first time in months. He has seen Kurt now for over a month and he is almost 100% better. Thank you Energetic Health!!  MA

I am so thankful for finding Kurt. He has helped my health issues so much, is so knowledgeable, and has taught me also about the nutrition that I need for my body. After just a few treatments, my issues started disappearing and I am feeling like I have my life back. I would highly recommend him, and also his wife, Amy, who adds so much also to my visits.  CR

Do You Need Help?

In conclusion, I have seen firsthand the devastation that ill health can cause and I have seen firsthand how powerful acupuncture treatments can be in restoring health. I believe that we offer the best option for the elimination of pain and many different types of illness.  Please schedule a free 20 minute consultation with Kurt or call 435-359-1479 to learn if Acupuncture can help you.

Kurt Redmond
Energetic Health Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
435-359-1479
Acupuncture St. George, Utah
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Acupuncture 101 - Questions about Acupuncture

Acupuncture 101

How does acupuncture work?

According to traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM), the human body is comprised of five organ networks – heart, spleen, kidney, lung and liver. The heart network maintains blood circulation and governs the mind and spirit. The spleen system is responsible for digestion and clarity of thought. The kidney network controls growth and reproduction. The lung system allows for ventilation of oxygen and transports life force energy, or qi. The liver network dictates mood and directs the flow of qi.

There are 12 main meridians through which qi flows.

These meridians correspond to the major internal organs of the body. In each of these meridians, the qi can become stagnant or deficient. Stagnant means there is a blockage or excess of energy, while deficiency means there isn’t enough functional energy within a given organ to perform its necessary duties.

With this understanding of the TCM model of the body, we can better understand the healing process. Health is seen as harmony between inner forces in the body. These forces, Yin and Yang, are central concepts in Eastern thought. They are two opposing but complementary aspects, symbolizing the cyclic, ever-changing nature of the universe. In the body, Yin and Yang are manifested as blood and life force energy, or qi, respectively.

When Yin and Yang are unbalanced, the qi, or life force energy, is stagnant.

The result is illness and pain. Acupuncture is the art of inserting very thin needles into key energy channels along the body. The needles release the blocked qi, activating its circulation. This restores the Yin and Yang balance and eliminates the source of the problem.

What can acupuncture treat?

Acupuncture can treat everything from infertility to back pain to the side effects of chemotherapy. It is not directed towards a particular disease or condition. It works by activating the body’s self-healing ability, allowing the body to heal itself. Acupuncture is not only an effective treatment for a diverse range of conditions, it’s also an excellent way to prevent illness and maintain health and wellness.

How many treatments will it take to get better?

Most people should see some sort of change within the first twenty-four hours following their first treatment. The change may be small, but noticeable nonetheless. If no change is seen, the acupuncturist may need to make a change to the needle pattern. Honest communication and patience are very important, expressed both by the patient and the acupuncturist.

The number of treatments needed to get better will vary from person to person.

Some of the deciding factors are the nature and severity of each person’s complaint, as well as the general health of the individual. Two treatments per week are usually recommended as a starting point. After that, the frequency of treatments is up to the recommendation of the acupuncturist and the comfort level of the patient. Remember, keeping appointments is absolutely critical to the success of the treatments. Every appointment builds off the one previous to it.

Do the needles hurt?

Contrary to a popular association with needles and getting shots or giving blood, acupuncture needles do not hurt and should not be met with fear. The needles are very fine, thinner than a human hair. There should be very little or no discomfort with needle insertion. Although there are times when the initial insertion will be felt by the patient, there is never an occasion where the patient should be in pain for the duration of the treatment.

Acupuncture should be a calming, relaxing experience. Some of the positive sensations the patient will feel are tingling, a feeling of numbness or heaviness in different parts of the body and a general sense of well-being. Most people even fall asleep during treatment!

Why should I try acupuncture?

Acupuncture offers a proven, safe alternative to traditional Western treatment. Most patients want to eliminate their dependency on medication or avoid more drastic solutions to long-time issues. Some patients are just tired of dealing with illnesses or symptoms they have had all their lives and want to do something about it or they want to make sure they maintain their health into the future.

Having originated in China more than 3000 years ago, acupuncture is a very well-established medical system that is practiced worldwide. Since its introduction in the United States in the early 1970s, it has seen exponential growth throughout the country. Best known in the United States for pain relief, acupuncture is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective means to treat hundreds of conditions. Through the skilled application of a trained acupuncturist, balance can be brought to the body, mind and soul bringing health and harmony to most patients.

Kurt Redmond
Acupuncturist St. George
Vision Acupuncture Specialist
435.359.1479
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Acupuncture and Infertility St. George

Infertility

Infertility is defined as the inability to produce offspring in a healthy woman with a normal sexual life, who has been trying for a year.

Western medicine shows medical causes for infertility, including ovulation or tubal problems, endometriosis and cervical factors. Infertility treatments may include prescription drugs or shots and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Instead of looking at the root cause of the problem, the symptom of infertility is addressed and treated, often with unwelcome side effects. While western medicine may be effective at times, it tends to work against the natural process of the body and cause severe hormonal imbalances and discomfort.

To be clear, we are not against western medicine. There are instances where western medicine is absolutely necessary and extremely effective. Western medicine is also fantastic for immediate, life-threatening issues. Infertility does not have to be a time to turn to western medicine, however. There are other, safer alternatives out there that will work with your body instead of against it.

Chinese medicine tells us that infertility is caused by blocked energy, or qi, somewhere in the body.

This blocked energy creates an imbalance, thereby causing infertility. Several factors can contribute to these imbalances, such as poor health at the time of conception, overwork, lack of rest, excessive sexual activity at a young age, invasion of cold and overconsumption of greasy foods or dairy products. Infertility treatments in Chinese medicine include acupuncture and herbal supplements. These remedies will work with your body to correct imbalances and create a safe, healthy environment for a baby to be created. Acupuncture will also help the mind and body relax, so the stress of trying to conceive will not affect your ability to conceive.

An important thing to remember is every woman is unique and has a different combination of imbalances in the body. Acupuncture and herbs work to correct those imbalances so she can function normally and become pregnant. Patience is required, however, with this method of treatments. Conception could take anywhere from three months to a year, depending on the number and severity of the imbalances found in the body.

I have had quite a few patients come in for infertility problems.

There was one in particular who had been trying to become pregnant with Western methods for two years and had become tired of the drugs and hormonal imbalances that she was experiencing. So she stopped all other treatments and decided to try acupuncture and herbs. After 3 months of regular treatments and dedicated herb-taking, she came in with a huge smile on her face. She was pregnant! She continued with treatment during her pregnancy and had a healthy, vibrant baby boy. She continues to be a patient to this day.

Lifestyle changes that could assist in the treatment for infertility include stress reduction and getting enough sleep. Stress reduction can be achieved by meditating, participating in yoga, taking a walk or a more drastic change, like leaving a high-stress job.

Getting enough rest is very important. Short naps during the day or sleeping longer at night would be most beneficial. Even taking a 10 minute rest would help when there’s no time for an actual nap. Maintaining a well-balanced healthy diet can also help make you as strong and healthy as possible and prime you for the road ahead.

Infertility does not mean pregnancy has to be impossible. It may take longer than anticipated, but with the help of acupuncture, herbs and plenty of dedication, a healthy mom and baby is not so far out of reach.

Kurt Redmond
Acupuncturist St. George
Vision Acupuncture Specialist
435.359.1479
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