Yes, sort of annoying in a way, isn’t it? If you think about it though, it’s just like many other things in life.

Say you’re driving around town with some type of car problem. Let’s go with having a near-empty gas tank (since I know next to nothing about cars and can’t offer a more exciting carburetor related analogy). If you run out of gas, your car will stop running. It doesn’t mean that your engine is broken, or your headlights won’t work; it just means that the entire system can’t run and function properly without all of the components in top shape. And, yes, you can run on fumes for a while, but inevitably you’ll break down on the side of some two lane highway at dusk when the bats start flying out of a nearby barn as you start to hear mysterious gunshots in the not too far-off distance (thankfully not a personal experience).

Ahem, back to TCM. So, when something, anything, is wrong with your body, it leads to a variety of seemingly unrelated problems. According to TCM, however, these problems make up what acupuncturists term a PATTERN OF DISHARMONY. Once they determine what makes up the pattern, they are then able to figure out a course of treatment appropriate for your specific symptoms. Everything is interconnected (your diet, exercise habits, how you deal with stressors, your environment and even your personality traits and how you deal with friends, family and social situations) and it is important to note though that acupuncturists do not treat symptoms, they treat you, the person, as a whole. Amazingly, if you are experiencing dizzy spells, you may have an array of other symptoms including: frequent urination, tinnitus, dry mouth and throat, severe exhaustion, weak legs and knees, fearfulness, lack of willpower and restless sleep; all of which are signs of Kidney Yin Deficiency (tune in to the next post for more on this topic).

In a way, it’s nice to know that when Western Medicine is baffled by a variety of what they may term unrelated symptoms; Chinese Medicine recognizes that there is something else going on below the surface that can offer an explanation.

So, again, does it hurt? The simple answer is: NO! In fact, acupuncture feels weird, but not painful. The weirdness comes from the fact that acupuncturists choose very specific points to needle for your condition, or symptoms, and sometimes you will feel a rush of energy. That energy is your Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). Now you’re saying, hang on a second, a rush of energy? What kind of nonsense is this? I know, it sounds crazy, but it really feels like some sort of energy is moving around again in your body. This is especially true of some points if you have major Qi deficiencies, and sometimes at these points you may feel a bit of tenderness as your practitioner ever so gently taps the teeny tiny needle into place. So even if you have major issues, don’t fret, the relief you get will definitely outweigh the initial uncertainty.

A couple other concerns that sometimes freak people out:

1.) Do they re-use the needles? Absolutely not! They are used once and then disposed of properly as medical waste.

2.) Can anyone practice acupuncture? No way. You must be certified (this is true in most states) and qualified candidates will receive a license that should be prominently displayed. (Excuse me, I’m feeling guilty and am going to run down to the basement to find my college diploma that never quite made it into a frame…)

3.) How do acupuncturists get certified? Each acupuncturist must study at an accredited school. For example, Terri, this blog’s resident acupuncturist, has a Master’s Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine (Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine). She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and is a certified Massage Therapist. So, see, she is super smart and very well-qualified, as are many of her peers.

So just do it already. You won’t regret it! To help you get started on your practitioner search, visit www.acufinder.com to find a certified acupuncturist in your area. Or, just go right to Terri’s site if you happen to live in Northern New Jersey.

photo credit: ThunderChild5 (more…)

While I don’t have it all figured out, I intend to learn more about all sorts of alternative medicine, herbal remedies, exercise practices (including the famous yoga and pilates), and other ways to feel great (i.e. reiki, massage, homeopathy, music therapy, energy healing, hypnosis, meditation, ayurvedic medicine and much more, and yes, there’s more)!

Now, since I’m going to be your tour guide, I figured I needed a little guidance as well. This is where we meet Terri. She is an acupuncturist, herbalist and massage therapist with multiple degrees and a Master’s in Traditional Oriental Medicine. Even though I do extensive research (I’m a research nut), she’s here to make sure I’m on the right track. She also can provide a lot of other interesting information that only comes with a degree and close to a decade of experience in the alternative medicine field. I mean, did you know about tongue or pulse diagnosis?! More on those topics a little further on down the road.

Terri and I will also recommend products along the way. Most likely we will receive commission for any sales of products on our site, but please know that we will only feature products that we really find worthwhile and fabulous. And don’t worry, we will always be honest about these types of posts with a little logo at the bottom of the entry that looks like this:

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So, relax, enjoy and learn about this world of ancient medicine that will undoubtedly help you deal with the demands and stress of modern times.

photo credit: Designerd