What is Acupuncture?
Several thousand years ago, East Asian practitioners discovered that the body forms disharmonies as a result of the various physical and mental stresses of life. Oriental medical theory explains these disharmonies as an imbalance of opposing forces called yin and yang. This imbalance disrupts the movement of the body's vital energy (qi) along the meridian pathways, which are channels through which the body's energy is thought to flow. Acupuncture restores the smooth flow of qi. By inserting and manipulating needles at specific points on the body, I am able to return the body to its natural balance and promote the body's ability to heal itself. I tend to use KM style Japanese Acupuncure more than other Acupuncture styles, but am also quite capable of APM or TCM should it be more appropriate for your condition. I also utilize Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture to push back the years both visually and physically.
What Does Acupuncture Feel Like?
Many first-time patients are concerned that acupuncture needles will feel like hypodermic injections at the doctor’s office. They won't. Acupuncture uses hair-thin, flexible needles that you will hardly feel when I insert them. When I gently stimulate the needles they may produce a unique sensation that Oriental medicine calls de qi. Patients often describe de qi as a heavy, achy pressure, or spreading, traveling feeling. You may also feel an "electrical" sensation moving down the meridian pathways, though this is less common. Most patients find these acupuncture sensations deeply satisfying. Most fall asleep right on the table, and leave the treatment feeling relaxed both mentally and physically.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
No one can tell you exactly how many treatments you will need, however the benefits of acupuncture are cumulative, so more then one treatment is necessary. For acute conditions you can expect to have 10 to 15 treatments, but you will usually begin to feel relief after just the first few. Chronic conditions may take longer to respond, depending on the type, severity, and duration of the condition, and may respond best (such as in cases involving symptoms of diabetes, high/low blood pressure, or autoimmune diseases like RA or Crohn's) with regularly scheduled maintenance treatments. We will work together to discover how often is actually necessary in such cases to keep you feeling good. Preventative treatments and treatments for general well-being may also be scheduled on an as-needed basis. After resolving their symptoms with initial treatment, some patients call me to schedule appointments only when they feel the need for a 'tune-up', and this can be as little as once or twice a year.
Is Acupuncture Safe?
Yes. Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans every year. Acupuncturists are required to undergo extensive education, including detailed study of human anatomy and training in Clean Needle Technique. I have passed comprehensive national board examinations administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and am licensed in the states of New York and Connecticut. As required by law, I use pre-sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to ensure your complete safety.
Your First Visit
When you arrive for your first acupuncture appointment I will ask you to complete a comprehensive intake form. Alternatively you may download it from this site and bring the completed form with you for your convenience. The acupuncture intake form asks questions about your current state of health, past illnesses, and family history. These questions are important because the holistic approach of Oriental medicine takes everything into account. Your current symptoms may not seem related to past health issues, but our bodies are complex landscapes and everything that happens to them leaves its mark.
After reviewing your intake form, we will discuss your condition, and I will examine your pulse and tongue, which are two of the basic diagnostic methods of Oriental medicine. I will also examine your Hara (abdomen).This gives me an accurate picture of how you are doing right now. I also generally check any areas that you are concerned about (i.e. if you have shoulder pain I will carefully check the shoulder and shoulder girdle, etc.).I will mark these area's with tape to ensure that your symptoms, and any pressure pain in the area are cleared as completely as possible during the treatment. The acupuncture points I choose will depend on your condition, but you can expect approximately 20 needles. Once the needles are inserted, I will leave you to lie comfortably for approximately10-20 minutes with the needles in place. Many people find acupuncture treatment deeply relaxing, as the treatment balances the body- and the body loves to be balanced! It is not uncommon for patients to fall asleep during this time, and in fact it is helpful to let yourself fall asleep- even if only for a few moments. I liken this to hitting the 'reset' button on a computer...
What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture works by activating the body's own healing powers, so it can be beneficial for the symptoms of many health conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented many symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be effectively treated with acupuncture. Below are some common conditions, but please feel free to contact me about your specific health concerns.
Pain
- Sports injuries
- Muscle pain
- Back, neck and shoulder pain
- Leg, ankle and foot pain
- Arm, wrist and hand pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis Elbow
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Jaw pain (TMJ)
- Dental pain
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Headaches and migraines
- Postoperative pain
Digestive Issues & Nausea
- Heartburn, Acid Reflux
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's
- Chronic indigestion
- Chronic loose stools or constipation
- Peptic ulcer
- Acute and chronic gastritis
- Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diabetes
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Depression
Respiratory Complaints
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
- COPD
- Cystic Fibrosis
Reproductive Issues
- Infertility
- Increased efficacy of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Acupuncture Styles
Most Acupuncturists have training in only one style, Acupuncturists graduating from TSCA in New York City become proficient in three before graduation. KM ( Kiiko Matsumoto Style Japanese Acupuncture), APM ( Mark Seem style, Acupuncture Physical Medicine), and TCM ( or Traditional Chinese Medicine from Maoist China).
I primarily work in KM style acupuncture. This is a style that utilizes the Hara (abdominal reflexes) to diagnose and treat many conditions. Needles are generally smaller than in TCM or in APM and stimulation is generally less. This is due to the fact that reflexes are used against points, so that Location, Angle and Depth are first explored with a finger on the point and the other hand on the reflex. The correct point and angle are those that release the pain or tightness of the reflex. Since most acupuncture points are about the size of a quarter the correct location and angle are guesswork unless tested against the reflex. This is why other styles use so much stimulation- they want to make sure they get the desired result. KM style takes the guesswork out of crafting the correct treatment for each patient.
TCM means Traditional Chinese Medicine, but it has only been around since Maoist China. Chairman Mao collected all the acupuncturists and made one system out of all the secretive family Acupuncture traditions. What didn't fit was disguarded. Unfortunately that was alot of knowledge- fortunately many classically trained Chinese emigrated to other countries during that time period and safeguarded the family secrets. Perhaps we will re-acquire them someday. In the meantime- TCM has many thousands of years of treatment and clinical knowledge compressed into one vast system. It does generally use larger needles and there is more and larger stim- so there is quite a bit of sensation to a TCM treatment. This is considered desirable.
APM is a system who's Founder is Mark Seem, also founder of TriState College of Acupuncture in New York City. The oldest Acupuncture School in the North East. With a TCM and French Meridian Style theoretical base, APM utilizes Travel and Simons concept of trigger points, along with dry needle fasciculation to affect remarkable change in both the musculoskeletal, energetic, and organ systems of the human body.
Although I most often utilize KM style, I do use TCM and APM where appropriate.
Toni M King MS LAc NCCAOM Dipl Ac