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You’ve heard about acupuncture. You might have even tried it out. But how much do you really know about this ancient medical practice? We sat down with Community acupuncturist and nurse Rebecca Flack, RN to learn more about how acupuncture can benefit patients and provide a more holistic healing experience.
Acupuncture is the practice of placing needles in specific places on the body. These places, known as acupuncture points, coincide with different channels or meridians that run throughout the body. It is believed that the electrical impulse created when placing needles can help with the flow of energy through these meridians and, in turn, help the body deal with different issues.
Here’s an example from Rebecca. “A patient might come to us with digestive issues. By placing needles along the stomach meridian - in this case, the front of the leg, we can help to clear the energy of that channel and aid the body’s healing process.”
A first-time acupuncture appointment begins with a body assessment. The acupuncturist and the patient go through a set of questions to determine what issues can be addressed. Patients will also have their energy pulse read and their tongues examined. Acupuncturists at Community will never diagnose conditions, but if the patient has any known conditions they will keep them in mind.
Once these assessments are completed, treatment will begin. Generally around 10-20 needles will be placed on any of the more than 360 acupuncture points on your body. These points are chosen very carefully to purposefully affect the certain areas that need support.
Many patients are nervous the first time they try acupuncture and are worried about the pain. “There might be a little bit of a stick,” Rebecca explains, “but the needles we use are extremely fine, and patients tend to relax soon after the first one is inserted.”
Once all the needles are placed, they stay in for 24 minutes. This is the amount of time it takes for energy to completely cycle through the body.
Although acupuncturists work with a myriad of different conditions, it’s important to remember that it isn’t a “cure-all” solution. Acupuncture is meant to assist the body in its natural healing process. That’s why, at Community Health Network, acupuncture is part of the Integrative Medicine program that combines alternative medicine with traditional medicine to offer more holistic care to patients.
There are a number of common conditions that may be relieved with acupuncture treatments. According to Rebecca, “Pain and anxiety are two of the most common conditions we treat.” Community acupuncturists also work closely with oncology patients to help mitigate the side effects associated with cancer treatment.
Acupuncture can also help patients spiritually and emotionally. Meridians aren’t only connected with physical parts of the body such as the heart or lungs, but with the emotional relationship to those organs which are joy and sorrow. Rebecca and other Community acupuncturists are “working to assist each patient to a better place in their healing journey… whatever that looks like for them.”
If you’re interested in acupuncture or other integrative care, call our office in Fishers at 317-957-9510 or in Westfield at 463-622-9850.
Learn more about Integrative Medicine at Community at eCommunity.com/integrative.
