What is Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Medicine originating in ancient China that has been used successfully for over 3,000 years. Acupuncture is a safe, painless and effective way to promote natural healing and treat a wide variety of medical problems by correcting imbalances in the body’s organs and clearing out any blockages or pathogens obstructing the flow of Qi. Qi is the vital energy that flows through all 74 pathways of the entire body. When a person blushes, that tingling sensation is the Qi and blood rushing to the face. Classical Chinese Medicine practitioners have used this form of treatment to heal millions of people across the world.

The body has 74 unique pathways, some of them are major and have easy access (ie. 12 Primary Pathways, Sinew Pathways, Cutaneous Pathways) and some are more complex and require special techniques to access them (ie. Divergent Pathways, Luo Vessels, 8 Extraordinary Vessels). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) utilizes only the 12 Primary Pathways. Classical Chinese Medicine utilizes all 74 Pathways.

Dr. Chang is trained in both Traditional and Classical Chinese Medicine and graduated from one of the few Chinese medical schools in the world that specializes in Classical Chinese Medicine. Currently, there are approximately 3 schools in the world that teach and specialize in Classical Chinese Medicine.

Here is a list of some of the most common illnesses treated by acupuncture. This is not a comprehensive list, so please contact me if you would like to discuss if acupuncture can be of help to you:

Musculoskeletal/Chronic Pain: Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Sciatica, Knee Pain, TMJ, Jaw Pain, Shoulder Pain, Arthritis

Emotional & Stress Issues: Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Management, Anger, Irritability, Grief, Fear, Obsessive Thinking, Concentration Issues.

Women's Healthy Issues: Premenstrual Syndrome, Dysmenorrhea, Regular Cycles, Menopause.

Dermatological Issues: Facial Rejuvenation, Acne, Eczema, Rashes

Gastrointestinal/Digestive Issues: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, Nausea, Vomit, Diarrhea, Constipation, Peptic Ulcers, Heartburn, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Weight Loss.

Respiratory Issues: Asthma, Allergies, Hay Fever, Rhinitis, Sinusitis.

Reproductive Issues: Infertility, Induction of Labor, Morning Sickness, Malposition of Fetus (Breech Presentation).

Immune System: Common Cold, Flu, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Neurological Issues: Headache, Migraine, Bell’s Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuropathy, Stroke.

Post Surgery Issues: Joint Rehabilitation, Post Surgical Pain.

Oncology Issues: Side effects from Radiation or Chemotherapy.

Cardiac Issues: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure).

Addiction Issues: Smoke Cessation

Validity of Acupuncture

The validity of Acupuncture is becoming more apparent and unquestionable as more and more respected international and national medical institutions are recognizing the efficacy and safety of acupuncture:

Johns Hopkins Hospital: At Johns Hopkins Hospital, acupuncture is not only recommended for all joint replacement patients during post operative rehabilitation and pain relief, it is now required.

Mayo Clinic: At the Mayo Clinic, all joint replacement patients are required to receive acupuncture treatments for post operative rehabilitation and pain relief.

United States Military: “Battlefield Acupuncture”, a form of auricular acupuncture, is used by military doctors to treat soldiers. It has been reported to significantly reduce pain while decreasing the amount of narcotics taken by the soldier and also shows benefits to reduce stress and anxiety. Since the introduction of Acupuncture in the U.S. Military, the number of U.S. soldiers addicted to pain killers and suffering from PTSD has decreased significantly.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC): MSKCC uses acupuncture and herbal medicine on cancer patients to help minimize the side effects of chemotherapy and accelerate recovery.

World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO listed the following diseases, symptoms and conditions as proven to be effectively treated by acupuncture through controlled clinical trials: adverse reactions to radiation/chemotherapy, allergic rhinitis, biliary colic, depression, dysentery, dysmenorrheal, gastrointestinal issues, facial pain, headaches, hypertension, hypotension, induction of labor, knee pain, leucopenia, low back pain, malposition of fetus, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, pain in dentistry, shoulder pain, renal colic, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, stroke, tennis elbow.

National Institute of Health: According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, acupuncture use among adults increased by approximately 1 million people.

U.S. Medical Schools with Integrative Medicine /Acupuncture Departments:

  • Harvard University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Stanford University
  • Columbia University
  • Yale University
  • University of California – San Francisco
  • Washington University – St. Louis
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • UCLA Medical School
  • University of Arizona