Are you looking for a Lake Forest Doctor who specializes in acupuncture? Look no further! Here at South OC Physical Medicine & Chiropractic, we provide only the best acupuncture therapy available. Why? We want to help our clients achieve profound mind-body healing. To fully support our clients, we harness the power of globalization to bring the best available healing methods from around the world together in one place. With acupuncture therapy, the ancient healing practice of the East meets the West.

What is Acupuncture?
Originating more than two millennia ago in China (as part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM), acupuncture is a powerful way to stimulate stagnant energy (“qi”) to flow throughout the body. Specifically, an acupuncturist inserts sterilized needles at specific points throughout the body. The needle pricks themselves are painless, but may evoke an electric-like sensation. This sensation usually follows a meridian (or energy channel), mapped by ancient Chinese healers.

According to TCM, there are twelve primary meridian channels throughout the body, each named for an organ that serves a vital purpose in overall wellbeing. Each meridian is either a yin or yang meridian, and these two opposing forces of the body (and universe) need to balance in order to achieve harmony and wellness.

These energy channels are not blood vessels or any other physical structure. Instead, they are said to be part of the subtle body. They do not manifest themselves physically like the heart, but their blockage affects the vitality of the organs and physical health in general. Ideally, qi will flow freely through the entire network of meridians, stimulating self-healing. But if you have any kind of chronic pain or disease, your meridians are blocked.

Acupuncture reopens these blocked meridians! In fact, it was the unintentional reopening of blocked meridians that led the Chinese to discover meridians in the first place. Legend has it that the ancient Chinese first discovered and mapped the meridian lines after soldiers noticed that when they were shot with an arrow in one body part (i.e., the leg) their pain in another seemingly unrelated body part (i.e. their arm) disappeared. Soon ancient Chinese physicians began to understand the paths and direction of energy flow throughout the body, and they used this knowledge to heal.

Is Acupuncture Effective?
Because meridians cannot be seen in an x-ray, http://healthsavy.com/product/provigil/ some researchers question their existence, and even ignore them altogether. But these same researchers may not be able to explain or treat chronic pain syndromes that meridian theory explains and acupuncture therapy effectively treats.
Even if the meridians themselves are unproven, acupuncture is not. It has proven to be effective in the treatment of many common chronic, seemingly unrelated ailments, including, but not limited to:

• Acne
• Allergies
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Asthma
• Chronic neck pain
• Chronic, severe pain in children
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Major depressive disorder and post-stroke depression
• Morning sickness
• Recidivist alcoholism
• Tennis elbow

That’s right, acupuncture does not simply treat chronic pain; it can even treat cases of psychiatric illness and addiction. Because of its proven efficacy to treat a wide range of illnesses, acupuncture is now covered by an increasing number of insurance plans.

Is it safe?
Yes. The National institute of Health states that acupuncture is considered to be safe when performed by a trained, experienced professional who uses sterile needles. Here at South OC Physical Medicine and Chiropractic, our fully-licensed acupuncturists take the utmost care to ensure the highest standards of safety in acupuncture therapy.

What will my first acupuncture treatment look like?
Your acupuncturist will first take a thorough health history and examination before determining the proper course of treatment to address your individual health needs. Then, you will lie comfortably on a treatment table while the acupuncturist stimulates specific points throughout your body with sterilized needles. Pressure, heat, or electric stimulation may be added to enhance the effects. You may retain the needles (without discomfort) for up to thirty minutes during which time you can relax and enjoy the incredible feeling of free-flowing energy throughout your body.

How many sessions of Acupuncture will I need?
Your South OC acupuncturist will work with you to determine the proper frequency and quantity of acupuncture treatments based on your health history and current symptoms. For chronic symptoms, bi-weekly sessions for several months may be necessary. Acute symptoms can usually be resolved within ten visits.

Is Acupuncture right for me?
If your health is less than ideal and mainstream medicine is letting you down, look no further than the acupuncturists at South OC chiropractic. Our innovative treatment paradigm will help you release “stuck” energy and get back to the life you’ve always imagined.