• jen@rossacupuncture.com

Ross Acupuncture Oakland

Oakland Acupuncture

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    • Jennifer E. Ross, L.Ac.
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Jul 10 2018

How Does Acupuncture Work?

In my office,  “how does acupuncture work” is a very common question. Often new patients have no idea what to expect, and there is a bit of a magical aura around acupuncture. Especially when I put a needle in the ankle, and immediately the opposite wrist feels better. But it isn’t magic, it’s medicine, and there are 5 prevailing theories that the modern scientific community has come up with to explain acupuncture:

  • Augmentation of Immunity Theory

    Acupucnture needles being inserted into the back.

Acupuncture increases levels of triglycerides, specific hormones, prostaglandins, white blood counts, gamma globulins, opsonins, and overall anti-body levels, which improves immune function.

  • Endorphin Theory

Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, neurotransmitters found in the brain with morphine-like properties.

  • Neurotransmitter Theory

Acupuncture stimulates specific neurotransmitters (like serotonin or noradrenaline) . These neurotransmitters regulate the nervous system, allowing us to properly react to external and internal stimuli. This is the regulation of our reactions to things, like becoming overly stressed, or wanting to go to sleep all the time. [Read more…]

Written by Jen · Categorized: Chinese Medicine Basics, FAQ

Jul 20 2015

Is acupuncture good for ______?

(fill in the blank with any ailment you can think of)

Acupuncture is a complete system of medicine. Anything you go to your medical doctor for, you can see an acupuncturist for. But each have their relative strengths. If you coming down with a cold or flu, have chronic pain, allergies, digestive problems, menstrual pain, etc., try your acupuncturist. If you have been hit by a car, are having a heart attack or stroke, or having some other medical emergency, please, go to the emergency room. This is where western medicine definitely excels. There is a very large list of conditions that the World Health Organization has determined acupuncture to be very effective at treating.

You can check that out here:

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2004/oct/10amaro.html

More Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Jen · Categorized: Chinese Medicine Basics, FAQ, Pain and Injury

Jul 20 2015

Does acupuncture hurt?

I’m not going to lie here. Yes, sometimes, for a moment. The needles are very thin, literally hair thin, and most of the time you may feel a very slight prick as it touches your skin. That feeling is very momentary, and sometimes you don’t even notice that..

Other times, especially on the hands and feet where there is more nerve supply, the needle may feel a little sharp, but again, that is fleeting. Taking a deep breath into your belly, and breathing out slowly will ease any needle insertion, and decreases the sensitivity of the needle dramatically. The point is to feel the needle sensation (also knows as “de qi”), and to prompt your body to make a change, though we want to do this as comfortably as possible. After the initial insertion, the more important sensations you may notice could be a tingling, radiating or dull heavy feeling. If I am working on deeper ligaments you may definitely feel a more prominent dull ache. This is good. This is the feeling of energy, or qi, moving, and this is the point (eesh) of acupuncture, to move qi. Once the qi can move, blood will follow. That new blood in the area is what starts the healing process.

Acupucnture needles being inserted into the back.

Written by Jen · Categorized: FAQ

Jul 20 2015

Am I supposed to feel something in my leg when you put it in my hand?

This is a very common occurrence. The phrase “everything is connected” is very relevant to acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Treating an arm by putting needles in your leg is very common, or a head for a back, or shoulder for a hip.  There are 6 major channels on each side of the body. Just one will run from the very end of your toes, up your legs and torso, to the top of your head, then back down to the tips of your fingers. If I put a needle in your ankle, you may very well feel a tingling qi sensation in your wrist.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Jen · Categorized: FAQ

Jul 20 2015

How long is a treatment?

Acupuncture needles stay in the body at least 30 minutes. This is the amount of time it takes for qi to make a complete circuit through an acupuncture channel. There is always an intake involved before the acupuncture needles are put in, which includes questioning and pulse taking. An average appointment lasts an hour, sometimes they are as short as 45 minutes when the intake is can be done quickly.

More Frequently Asked Questions

Written by Jen · Categorized: FAQ

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  • jen@rossacupuncture.com
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