A Day in The Life of An Acupuncturist: What to expect when you visit
When a patient sees me, I do a thorough medical intake to review the health history and daily lifestyle habits. Even though many patients come in with a specific health concern, Chinese medicine views the body as a connected whole, so it is essential to know how all the other body systems are functioning. Depending on the health concern, I may do some diagnostics, including looking at the tongue and feeling the pulse, an abdominal diagnosis, taking vitals, or an orthopedic assessment. Treatments may incorporate infrared heat, acupressure, gua sha, cupping, massage, herbal medicine, and, last but not least, acupuncture.
After your initial evaluation, I would provide recommendations on the number and frequency of treatments. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, the same way it takes repeated workouts at the gym to feel stronger. The frequency at which acupuncture is needed depends heavily on what is being treated and an individual practitioner’s style of practice.
- What is Acupuncture? The origins of acupuncture trace back to ancient China, around 6,000 BC. Acupuncture uses tiny sterile needles strategically inserted to stimulate specific points to promote blood flow and oxygen through the body. There are over 365 acupuncture points in the body! The points most commonly used are between the knees and feet, wrists and elbows, but the abdomen, neck, and back are often used. I generally use 10 to 20 acupuncture points in one session, and the patient relaxes minimally for 20 to 30 minutes. The needles are hair-thin, and most people report little to no pain when the needle is placed.
- How Does Acupuncture Work? The acupuncture points are located in areas with higher concentrations of superficial nerves, blood vessels, and neuromuscular attachments (where nerves penetrate the muscles). The needles stimulate a local response involving sensory nerves, which gets a centralized reaction where the brain and spinal cord get involved. This stimulation from the needle creates a cascade of signaling, starting with releasing the body’s neurotransmitters (natural painkillers and stress relievers), regulating hormones, and modulating the immune system.
- Who Can Acupuncture Help? The World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health endorse acupuncture, and clinical studies have shown it to be beneficial for many conditions, including acute and chronic pain, digestive disorders, urinary and reproductive disorders, mental health disorders, seasonal allergies, high blood pressure, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Past studies have revealed that, overall, acupuncture relieved pain by about 50%, which is comparable to the relief that many people get from conventional care, such as pain medication.
This week alone, I treated lower back pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, TMJ, sprained ankle, insomnia, migraines, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, acne, irregular periods, stress, depression, allergies, menopause, and I did a little cosmetic acupuncture for wrinkles.
Legislation in Oregon has designated acupuncture as an essential health benefit. All private insurers in Oregon must include acupuncture benefits – specifically, minimally, 12 visits per year. Medicare does not pay for acupuncture performed by a licensed acupuncturist, but some supplemental and advantage plans do. Oregon Health Plan (OHP) offers acupuncture coverage for certain conditions, and a doctor’s referral is required.
Dr. Jennifer Savage is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine and the owner of Wú Wéi Wellness in Old Town Beaverton, with over 25 years of experience in healthcare. To schedule an appointment in our Infrared Sauna, call 503.530.8097 or visit www.bewuweiwell.com.
