How does acupuncture work?

In general, the longer you have had the problem, the deeper it has rooted in the body, and the longer the path to improvement will be.

by Don Matesz — 

Have you ever wondered how acupuncture actually works? I could tell you how it affects the flow of qi and blood in the channels, how these channels connect to the internal organs and much more from Chinese medical theory, but you might fall asleep.

Most people have no idea how aspirin works, yet they know to use it, and that it does work. And for this reason, I want to help you understand how to use acupuncture, so that it can work for you.

Suppose you want to increase your physical strength. Experience and research have shown that to stimulate gains in strength, you have to do strength training twice weekly, for at least 12 weeks straight — 24 total training sessions — to achieve significant results. If you feel satisfied with that level of strength, you can maintain those results by training once a week.

Acupuncture works the same way. Thousands of years of experience and modern research indicate that to stimulate significant gains in health, you have to receive acupuncture at least twice weekly, for 10 to 12 weeks — 20 or 30 treatments. After that, you may not need further treatment at all for a particular concern, or you may need less frequent tune-ups.

In general, the longer you have had the problem, the deeper it has rooted in the body, and the longer the path to improvement will be. So, if you just injured your back yesterday, you may need only one treatment for relief; but if your neck has hurt for 10 years, you may need more than 30 treatments to get total relief.

When seeking acupuncture care, keep in mind the commitment and expense required for the type of condition you have. Make sure you choose an acupuncture provider who has completed the NCCAOM national acupuncture board examinations and is an Arizona state-licensed acupuncturist.

Don Matesz, M.S., L.Ac., operates Barefoot Acupuncture Clinic, and is devoted to providing affordable acupuncture, nutrition guidance and natural health care services. 602-954-8016 or www.baarefootacupuncture.vpweb.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 27, Number 6, December 2008/January 2009.