How Does Acupuncture Work?
For years, professionals who practice traditional western medicine have tried in vain to understand how acupuncture works. When you try to fit acupuncture into the western model of medicine, it admittedly doesn't make much sense. This is largely why the western world considers acupuncture to be a mysterious, even mystical modality. Many patients considering this treatment may wonder, how does acupuncture work? Dr. Bret Mosher is asked this question regularly by patients who are interested in undergoing acupuncture treatment.
The answer is not shrouded in myth or magic, as many people would have you suspect. In fact, acupuncture is rooted in a real and time-tested understanding of how the human body operates. This understanding predates western medicine by centuries, yet is confirmed by modern research and analysis. At Mosher Health, we believe that patients are entitled to education about each of our treatments so that they can make an informed decision about the future of your health.
Regulating the Flow of Energy in Your Body
There are five hierarchies of function in the human body. Western science acknowledges four of these: neurotransmitters, hormones, organs, and musculoskeletal and cellular structures. The fifth is elemental to Chinese medicine even as it remains an enigma in the western model: Qi. Qi refers to the energetic substance in your body that creates and controls all functional activity.
Optimal health relies upon balance and harmony among the five hierarchies. In order to be optimally healthy, both the energetic substance, Qi, and material substances such as blood must move freely throughout the body. When these materials become blocked or restricted, the body begins to degenerate and becomes diseased. Only through the removal of these blockages or restrictions can the body return to its healthy state.
Western medicine has produced a number of effective methods of dealing with the flow of material substances and other empirical matters. However, in its failure to recognize Qi, western medicine is ineffective at restoring balance among all five of the body's hierarchies. As a result, the underlying source of disease is disregarded.
Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the free flow of Qi as an essential component of wellness and longevity. One of the most effective methods of encouraging the proper flow of Qi is acupuncture treatment.
Clearing the Meridian Pathways
As blood flows through vessels, Qi flows through pathways called meridians. The purpose of acupuncture is to restore the healthy and proper movement of Qi through meridians that have been obstructed. Dr. Mosher identifies the precise points along the meridians where the flow of Qi is inhibited and uses fine, thin needles to stimulate flow in these areas. The restored flow of Qi alleviates symptoms of disease while promoting energy, vitality, and overall wellness.
At Mosher Health, we believe that patients are entitled to education about each of our treatments so that they can make an informed decision about the future of your health.
Acupuncture alone is not necessarily sufficient to restoring the flow of Qi. Depending on your specific condition and the overall state of your health, Dr. Mosher may recommend one or more acupuncture sessions along with other healing modalities, including structural alignment and dietary changes. The Mosher Health System is customized according to how your body functions, both currently and optimally. Attention will be given to all of the hierarchies in your body, with the goal of achieving optimal whole-body health.
The Importance of Patient Education
Once you better understand how the human body works according to this more ancient model, acupuncture becomes a good deal less mysterious.You should understand your health and the ways it can be improved in a very clear and detailed way. As a patient at Mosher Health, you will find that education is a fundamental part of your treatment. Any professional that cannot explain clearly why and how acupuncture works should not be trusted with your health. It is not enough to know that acupuncture works. You have the right as a patient to know how it works.
Understanding Your Treatment
For answers to your questions and to better understand how acupuncture works, please contact us online or call us at (858) 679-2995. We welcome the opportunity to provide acupuncture treatment to our patients suffering from variety of disorders.
