What is Acupuncture?

sports-acupuncture
Roots and herbs for healing in jars - Janet Lee
Detail showing redness on skin during a gua sha acupuncture treatment
Cupping on skin for better circulation and healing - Janet Lee
Neuroreflexotherapy intervention imagery for posterior pain

Acupuncture – a time-honored medicine

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese developed a system of using tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body to correct imbalances and improve circulation (the needles weren’t so tiny back then but they are super-fine now). It’s a very elegant and thoughtful form of medicine that has persevered through the centuries because it considers the entire body and mind—and even the natural environment—in treating a problem. In Chinese medicine, we don’t just treat symptoms, we address the source of the issue.

Evolving Research

There is good research showing acupuncture’s benefits for a variety of conditions, including helping with fertility and other women’s health issues and treating pain.

Could there be better research? Definitely. Is it a panacea for everything under the sun? No. I think acupuncture is very effective for certain problems (see below for some of the research), and it also works well in conjunction with conventional medicine. Two of the most advanced medical centers in the world, The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, offer acupuncture to patients, and hospitals around the country routinely recommend it.

Neuroreflexotherapy intervention imagery for posterior pain
Neuroreflexotherapy intervention imagery for posterior pain

Acupuncture – a time-honored medicine

Thousands of years ago, the Chinese developed a system of using tiny needles to stimulate certain points on the body to correct imbalances and improve circulation (the needles weren’t so tiny back then but they are super-fine now). It’s a very elegant and thoughtful form of medicine that has persevered through the centuries because it considers the entire body and mind—and even the natural environment—in treating a problem. In Chinese medicine, we don’t just treat symptoms, we address the source of the issue.

Evolving Research

There is good research showing acupuncture’s benefits for a variety of conditions, including helping with fertility and other women’s health issues and treating pain.

Could there be better research? Definitely. Is it a panacea for everything under the sun? No. I think acupuncture is very effective for certain problems (see below for some of the research), and it also works well in conjunction with conventional medicine. Two of the most advanced medical centers in the world, The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, offer acupuncture to patients, and hospitals around the country routinely recommend it.

My acupuncture “toolkit”

My acupuncture “toolkit”

acupuncture to abdomen to help with IVF procedure - Janet Lee

What does it feel like?

What does it feel like?

Acupuncture needles in patient's skin

What the research says

Meridian Imagery

Acupuncture and fertility

Acupuncture and back pain

A 2013 research review published in the Clinical Journal of Pain found that acupuncture may help relieve low back pain—especially acute pain—better than medication. A 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that both true and “sham” acupuncture worked significantly better than conventional treatment for back pain (drugs, physical therapy and exercise) over six months, meaning there was a strong placebo effect—but even the placebo was better than taking pain medication!

Acupuncture and fibromyalgia

Acupuncture and painful periods

A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that acupuncture can help relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).

Acupuncture and fertility

Acupuncture and back pain

A 2013 research review published in the Clinical Journal of Pain found that acupuncture may help relieve low back pain—especially acute pain—better than medication. A 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that both true and “sham” acupuncture worked significantly better than conventional treatment for back pain (drugs, physical therapy and exercise) over six months, meaning there was a strong placebo effect—but even the placebo was better than taking pain medication!

Meridian Imagery

Acupuncture and fibromyalgia

Acupuncture and painful periods

A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed that acupuncture can help relieve pain and improve quality of life in women with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).

Acupuncture points for better health

Acupuncture and headaches

Acupuncture and arthritis

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can help alleviate the pain associated with arthritis of the knee and hip.

Acupuncture and chronic pain

A 2012 Archives of Internal Medicine research review found that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option.” The study looked at back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and headache.

Acupuncture and cancer treatment

The National Cancer Institute reports that acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system and help relieve some side effects of cancer treatment, including pain and especially nausea.

Acupuncture points for better health

Acupuncture and headaches

Acupuncture and arthritis

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can help alleviate the pain associated with arthritis of the knee and hip.

Acupuncture and chronic pain

A 2012 Archives of Internal Medicine research review found that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is therefore a reasonable referral option.” The study looked at back, neck and shoulder pain, osteoarthritis and headache.

Acupuncture and cancer treatment

The National Cancer Institute reports that acupuncture has been shown to stimulate the immune system and help relieve some side effects of cancer treatment, including pain and especially nausea.