For many patients struggling with common – but often debilitating – health related symptoms, acupuncture can provide an effective healing treatment option that complements western medicine. In fact, the World Health Organization has determined acupuncture to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions including anxiety, stress, headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain, asthma, allergies, insomnia and many other health issues.
Acupuncture is ideal for anyone experiencing either chronic or acute conditions. It is a flexible form of treatment that can target numerous health concerns at once. With the practice of acupuncture, we look at how the body functions as a whole versus focusing on one individual symptom.
Acupuncture aims to adjust a patient’s Chi, the energy current or life force that runs through the body, allowing it to flow correctly which enables the body to function at its peak healing potential. According to oriental medicine, the body is more susceptible to illness when peak healing potential is lowered.
During a patient’s first visit, we start by conducting a thorough health history assessment to gather more information about how symptoms are impacting everyday life. I will also do some simple tests to determine key spots along the meridians – or the axes that Chi flows through – which will be useful for both diagnosis and treatment.
Because we are looking at the body as a whole, the acupoints may be located in a different area of the body than where the symptom occurs. For example, we may need to target a point in the foot even though the patient suffers from headaches, based on the flow of Chi and where there is a problem. By focusing on these acupoints during the course of treatment, we can rebalance the flow of Chi, thereby improving health.
After the initial assessment, I will use disposable, Japanese fine-gauge needles for the acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture does not hurt, and in fact our patients should feel so comfortable that they fall asleep at the table. Although patients may begin feeling a difference during the first few visits, the number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity.
To schedule an appointment with
Core Acupuncture, call
603-778-6777.
Kenji Fukunaga, Lic. Ac., trained at Goto College of Medical Arts and Sciences in Japan, and at Tiarjin College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Tiarjin, China. He has been a Core Acupuncture provider for more than 20 years.