Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient practice, proven over time. Because anything that is comprised of matter has an energy equivalence (Einstein's E = mc2), the body has energy or electrical pathways which connect into the organs. The Chinese called those electrical pathways meridians, naming them after the organs to which they connect. It is possible to take a galvanometer and identify the identical acupuncture meridians and points that the Chinese charted thousands of years ago. These meridians or electrical circuits have an optimal operating range, just like blood pressure, temperature, and pulse have an optimal range. When those circuits are in brown-out (insufficient power) or surge (excess power) they don't operate well. Imagine that if the circuit serving your refrigerator was in brown-out – it wouldn't cool very well. So, in acupuncture, we try to identify the key meridians or circuits that are not operating optimally. We boost the circuits that are low, calm the ones that are hyper, steal from the rich to give to the poor, unblock blocked circuits, and even out right to left. When all the circuits are optimally powered, it's like a tune-up for your car, and all the areas they serve (organs, muscles, nerves, tissues, etc.) operated optimally.
Acupuncture can be used to treat a myriad on conditions. Different types of pain are probably what acupuncture is best known for helping. This includes headaches, migraines, neck pain, low back pain, fibromyalgia, nerve pain or paralysis, joint pain and arthritis, irritable bowel pain, shingles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)/ complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), new injuries, old injuries, and more. But the benefits of acupuncture are not limited to pain. Neurological conditions, concussion, PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome), menopausal syndrome, menstrual cramps, fatigue, digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome, stress, depression, anxiety, asthma, allergies, chronic infections, endocrine problems including diabetes, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many other kinds of problems can be improved, eliminated or managed successfully with acupuncture, there are very few things that acupuncture cannot help. Traditionally, acupuncture is performed 4 – 5 times a year at the change of the seasons to help keep people healthy.
People will sometimes be nervous about acupuncture because they may be very sensitive to needles or have had very traumatic experiences with needles or medical procedures. Truthfully, for the majority of people and most points, acupuncture is totally painless and/or involves a momentary mild sensation. However, if for any reason needles are not desired, I use a battery powered acupoint stimulator that is unequivocally painless and safe, even for a newborn infant. So, there need never be a concern that acupuncture would be uncomfortable or anxiety provoking. In fact, many people notice improved energy, a heightened sense of well-being, calmness, and relaxation following a treatment. Try it! You will feel better!
Dr. Shirley Hartman has retired; however, she does return to the Center a few times a month to do 30-minute Acupuncture treatment on established patients for $95.