What is Acupuncture?
No, as Licensed Massage Therapists, we absolutely do NOT do acupuncture!
However one of our office neighbors does!
During my recent bout of vertigo (please, never again!), Katie offered to treat me. I felt much better afterwards so I thought perhaps I should introduce her to the people we love to help at Body In Knead!
Please meet Katie Gaffney, OMD, L.Ac.
Katie is a licensed Doctor of Oriental Medicine in Nevada, a licensed acupuncturist in California, and is nationally certified with NCCAOM.
She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in biology from the University of Nevada, Reno and a Master’s and Doctorate of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Emperor’s College in Santa Monica, CA. She has been in private practice since 2015. She is currently in Sparks, NV (in the room next to us!), and is the on staff acupuncturist at Renown Integrative Primary Care in Reno, NV.
We asked Katie to share a little about what Acupuncture is and what she does.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
It stimulates specific points and meridians on the body by insertion of thin, sterile, stainless steel needles to elicit a physiological response.
A meridian is a pathway that is associated with and influences specific nerves, blood vessels, tendons, muscles, and organs.
Acupuncture needles can relieve pain by stimulating the central nervous system. This can release natural opioids, promoting blood circulation, and releasing muscle tension.
Further, it can treat internal disorders by stimulating the autonomic nervous system to enhance organ function and regulate breathing, heart rate, and hormone production.
These mechanisms promote healing and homeostasis in the body.
The point selection directs these mechanisms to certain body parts or organ systems.
What is Acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture is most commonly used to relieve pain and it works very well for that. But many people don’t know that acupuncture on a regular basis can help treat chronic internal disease such as heart conditions, gastrointestinal issues, asthma, allergies, colds, anxiety, hot flashes, menstrual, immune, and skin disorders, and so much more. Common pain syndromes treated by acupuncture include headaches, arthritis, neuropathy, spinal nerve impingement, degenerative disc disease, sprains/strains, muscle tension and spasms, and fibromyalgia.
How does Acupuncture treat pain?
Acupuncture works directly on the nervous system. It increases the pain threshold and causes release of natural opioids in the body. Further, acupuncture stimulates the limbic system to alter how we perceive and respond to pain. Locally, the needle causes increased blood flow and tissue oxygenation to promote healing of damaged muscles, nerves, and tendons.
How does Acupuncture treat internal disease?
Acupuncture is all about creating balance or homeostasis in the body. For instance, it can both raise and lower blood pressure, whichever the body needs. The stimulation of the peripheral nerves transfers to the central nervous system to regulate neurotransmitters, hypothalamic activity, and hormone balance. The needles also stimulate vagus nerve function which regulates several internal organ systems.
What is an Acupuncture treatment like?
Katie will ask you many questions, go over your medical history, your chief complaint, your medications, diet, supplements. She will also ask you things you may not think are related to your pain such as quality of sleep, energy, mood, and digestion. She may check some vitals and look at your tongue and feel your pulse. These findings all give clues to the underlying patterns of disharmony in your body. Next, you lie down on a warm, comfortable table. Katie inserts the needles on various areas of the body, most likely arms and legs, and then you simply relax with the needles in for about 30 minutes.
How often should I get treatments?
Response to acupuncture varies a lot from person to person. Some people feel relief right away, others may need several treatments before they see results. Acute pain or illnesses usually respond faster than chronic conditions. A general course of treatment is 10 sessions 1 to 2 times per week, at which point, both the patient and practitioner can re-evaluate the condition and progress.
To learn more about how Katie, or Acupuncture can help you, please check out her website at www.gaffneyhealing.com.