Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, solid, usually stainless steel needles at precise anatomic locations. These locations are classic acupuncture points, motor points and areas of tenderness. Insertion depth average from 1 millimeter to several inches, depending on point location and desired effect. Needles may also be stimulated through the local and focused application of heat, by the burning of the herb Artemisia vulgaris (moxabustion), and cupping, a suctioning of the skin through the application of small jars that create a vacuum.

How does acupuncture work?

There is evidence that acupuncture activates the nervous system, circulation, lymphatics, and the electric system. Acupuncture stimulates the release of many healing substances such as endorphins, enkaphalins, monoamines, and other neurotransmitters

What kind of problems may acupuncture help?

Hot flushes, insomnia, uterine bleeding, ovarian cysts, inflammatory diseases, uterine prolapse, fibrocystic breast disease, absence of libido, painful intercourse.

Who may benefit from acupuncture

Many women could benefit from acupuncture. Dinah, a fifty-five-year-old woman is an example. She was taking postmenopausal hormones for her extreme hot flashes and mood swings. When she didn't take the hormones, she had periods of irritability and would fly into rages. Because she didn't want to continue taking hormones due to their side effects---she contracted bruises and swelling, retained water, increased half a dress size, and couldn't fit in her rings---she consulted an acupuncturist. Also, because her health care insurance covered her visits, she was willing to try something new.

She went off her hormone therapy and began weekly acupuncture and daily Chinese herbs. She found the herbs controlled her moods better than the hormones had. Her hot flashes also were reduced and she began to feel much better.

Debbie, a fifty-four-year-old woman, sought out an acupuncturist who practiced surgery in Hong Kong prior to moving to this country. She received acupuncture treatments for several years for her uterine fibroids and excessive bleeding. The fibroids shrunk immensely and her periods continued, but with much less bleeding than she had prior to treatment.

How can you find an acupuncturist?

You can look in the Yellow Pages of your phone book. You can ask around and see what practitioners your friends, family, and health care provider recommend. You can also go online to http://gancao.net/Referrals to find an acupuncturists anyplace in the world.

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Sources and Resources:

Carolyn Chambers Clark, Encyclopedia of Complementary Health Practice. NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc., 1999.

William Collinge, The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine, NY: Time Warner, 1996.

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care provider.