Acupuncture

Acupuncture & Meridian Therapy
Gentle Ancient Treatment for Myriad of Conditions.

Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.

Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China. In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the U.S. until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.

At first glimpse, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.

Early Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin – meridians that communicate from the exterior of the body to its internal organs and structures with over 1,000 “Acupoints” on the body. This energy works in harmony with the circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary, endocrine and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key Acupoints on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.

Historians have stated, "More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of 50 centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern."

Far too often in the medical professions, a patient is told after extensive examination, “There is nothing wrong,” “It is all in your head,” or “Sorry, you’ll have to learn to live with it.” The examining doctor, unable to find the cause of the problem, has little else to tell the patient. Fortunately, many physicians are now referring their patients for Acupuncture to La Ruffa Chiropractic & Sports Rehab, where Dr. La Ruffa is licensed in Acupuncture.

The body’s energy flow courses over 12 meridians or channels that are normally well balanced when you’re in good health. If a disruption of energy flow exists, it can alter the entire system, producing pain or symptoms in the body.

At La Ruffa Chiropractic & Sports Rehab,  Acupuncture’s goal is to restore normalcy to the body’s energy balance by utilizing a combination of Acupoints located on the 12 meridians, or the “Circle the Dragon” technique for acute, highly localized issues. This is accomplished by a variety of means, with needles being only one of those media.

Medical research continues in this country and others to attempt to explain in western scientific terms what the ancient Chinese 70 centuries earlier described. Today, many theories have been postulated as to why Acupuncture is so effective in pain control. However, as more discoveries are made, more research is indicated.

One cannot equate Acupuncture treatment to getting a shot or being stuck with a pin. Acupuncture needles can actually be inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle – that’s how slender they are. As an Acupuncture needle is inserted, a phenomenon known as “TECHI” occurs when the energy in contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or tingling. Acupoints may also be stimulated using electronic and laser stimulation of the point with equal effectiveness.

The tapping needle, "teishein," is not really a needle as it does not pierce the skin. It produces a mild to moderate sensation. Compare it to taping a ball point pen on the skin. This form of stimulation has been used successfully for centuries.

Acupuncture is a viable and respected way to treat acute and chronic pain; migraine, tension, cluster, and sinus headaches; trigeminal neuralgia; bladder dysfunction and  bed wetting; neck and low-back pain; shoulder problems; tennis elbow; post-operative pain relief; gastric problems; asthma; allergies; skin conditions; hemorrhoids; abnormal blood pressure; fatigue; anxiety; neurologic syndromes; and various eye problems, as well as a viable addition to the treatment of addiction when in conjunction with professional counseling.

The number of treatments vary with different conditions and individuals, as one would expect. Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones. Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others many not notice any effect until the seventh or eighth visit. It's been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.

A small number of patients will receive a worsening of symptoms, as the body's energies are returning to normal. This is usual and no need for alarm. It is followed by improvement. Researchers internationally agree the usual number of treatments is between 10 and 15. Patients are usually seen two to three times per week.

Patients are urged not to enter an Acupuncture program with the thought of "taking a few" to see what will happen. You may see results after one or two treatments, but a program of 10 to 12 treatments is usually needed. Remember, your problem usually didn't happen overnight nor will it go away overnight. Be patient...acupuncture works!!

Many critics of Acupuncture have suggested the science is hypnosis or "mind over matter." This criticism is totally unfounded as Acupuncture has startling effects in infants and toddlers as well as veterinary applications. The effect it has in surgery as an anesthetic further disclaims the skeptics. Even total disbelieves report favorable response to Acupuncture.

However, a positive outlook is obviously beneficial in all phases of life to include healing.

Addiction Control.

Acupuncture has gained a great deal of notoriety in recent years concerning its considerable success with addiction control. It has been shown that Acupuncture has a very positive effect in the area of both drug and alcohol addiction. This procedure, in conjunction with professional counseling, has been proven extremely effective.

One of the most noteworthy addictions Acupuncture helps is smoking. The average patient will reduce their intake by at least 1/2 within 24 hours of the first treatment. Several additional treatments generally allow the patient to stop without experiencing the negative side effects of quitting. Acupuncture also has a favorable effect in weight control. Currently there are several clinics in the U.S. devoted solely to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Located on the ear are more than 100 Acupoints which relate to various organ systems and parts of the body. During fetal development the first structure to form is the brain and spinal cord. At about the same time, what later becomes the external ear also develops. Accordingly, there is a very strong relationship between the external ear and the central nervous system.

The Ancient Chinese viewed the ear as resembling an upside down fetus with all the body parts proportionately arranged in and on the ear. Therefore, the lobe of the ear would relate to the head, brain, stem, face, etc., whereas the top of the ear relates to the knee, foot, ankle, etc. The success rate in Ear Acupuncture is remarkable. Thousands of American physicians have begun using Ear Acupuncture as an adjunct to their practice.

It is our prime mission at La Ruffa Chiropractic & Sports Rehab to help you achieve restoration of function, improve your quality of life, improve physical ability, and achieve pain relief through non-surgical treatment. Physicians and satisfied patients are our greatest sources of referral. We’ve seen people turning in greater numbers to wellness centers such as ours for everything from chiropractic care to massage and sports injury recovery. We emphasize improving your total health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain or illness. Our team, headed by Dr. August La Ruffa, will personally custom-tailor a wellness program for your physical needs using the least invasive and most effective techniques and treatments used in the practice of functional medicine.