Exploring Acupuncture The Center for Traditional Acupuncture and

Exploring Acupuncture The Center for Traditional Acupuncture and Herbs, Alfred Station NY. alfredacupuncture. com 607 -587 -9401. Kevin Ferst & Sarah Nelson Jones Memorial Hospital, Rehab Services 585 -596 -4011 2015

Welcome! Kevin Ferst, Mac. OM & Sarah Nelson, Mac. OM NY state licensed Nationally certified through the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) NADA Acu-Detox specialists (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association)

3 -part class Part 1: History and Context Part 2: What to expect and what we treat Part 3: FAQs and Simple Acupressure

What is Chinese Medicine? Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Tuina Massage Herbalism

Brief History Recorded history of 2, 000 years. First written records in Huangdi Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic). Estimated date of writing 500 BC – 200 CE. Discussed foundational theories of Chinese medicine including yin-yang, five elements, the external environment, the trajectory of the meridians.

Stone age bone needles

Modern Clean Needles Today, all acupuncturists are certified in Clean Needle Technique Needles are stainless steel, single use, solid, disposable, and of various gauges and sizes.

Modern Needles

Modern Use TCM – a systemized version of the many theories of Chinese Medicine since Cultural Revolution in China The West “discovered” acupuncture July 1971 when James Reston, Press secretary for Richard Nixon fell ill and needed an emergency appendectomy.

What is a treatment Like? Chinese Medicine Diagnosis… pulse taking, palpation of the meridians, look at tongue, abdomen

Conditions Treated Pain – Chronic and Acute Back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain… Carpal Tunnel, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, tendonitis, neuropathy Fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions

Conditions Treated Internal Medicine GERD/IBS, constipation Anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, depression Gynecology, painful periods, infertility, menopausal symptoms, PMS Side effects from cancer treatments such as edema, nausea Migraines, headaches

Conditions treated… The World Health Organization “list” http: //www. pacificcollege. edu/acupuncturemassage-clinic/treatable-disorders. html

FAQs Is it Painful? Mostly, no. Though the needle may be momentarily sharp, the feeling achieved with the needle is what we call a “qi” sensation. This is felt as a dull ache or pressure. It’s presence is the marker of a better outcome.

Time/$$ Depends on condition. Often weekly for 1 -6 weeks. FOC 85, ROC 60. Sliding Scale

Insurance? Usually not in NY.

Is it religion? Absolutely not. Many Christians are concerned with the use of the yin yang symbol, which is only and exclusively used as a foundational concept model of how the body’s physiology works. People of faith are encourage to enjoy the benefits of acupuncture without concern.

Side Effects? Feeling fantastic. Otherwise, there can be occasional bruising. Rarely and in inexperienced hands more serious side effects (e. g. , organ puncture) have been reported but almost never by properly trained acupuncturists.

Acupressure - Benefits Release pain Regulate the internal organs Unblocking, makes things flow better Easy to do No side effects

Acupressure FAQs Points (xue) are often tender to the touch Points can be stimulated by pressure with thumb, finger, or knuckle Press the point lightly and shallowly, progressing deeper until you feel distending sensation , pressure, or dull ache. It may spread or travels outwardly from the point. Hold the point until the pain subsides and you feel the muscles relax.

What’s in a name? Acupuncture points each have a handy numbered code, e. g. , Pc-6, Li-4. Each point also has a Chinese name, e. g. , 内關 To make it easier to speak the Chinese, we make that name pronouncable in English through use of the Pinyin system of transliteration, e. g. , Neiguan We also have loose English translations of the points, e. g. , “Inner Pass”. The points may be referred to by any of the above, so in this slideshow we use all of them.

經絡 - Meridians

DIY Acupressure – Let’s Begin!

3 Point System (Dr Zhu Zong. Xiang) A popular system for health and longevity in China, 3 -1 -2 3 acupressure points, stimulated twice a day 1 breath (deep abdominal breathing) 2 legs – emphasis on getting constitutional walks

内關, neiguan, “inner pass” Stops nausea/sea sickness/morning sickness Calming Chest pain Insomnia

合谷, Hegu, “Joining Valley” For cold Headache (esp 1 -sided) Toothache Sore throat Sore back Hypertension

足三里, Zusanli, “Three Leg Mile” Strengthen stomach Strengthen immunity Calming Builds qi and blood painkiller

Walk a 里 in their shoes…

Luo Zhen “stiff neck” For painful neck. Press the point while you bend, flex, and extend your neck.

Yao Tong Xue “lumbar pain point” Slightly proximal on hand vs luo zhen, and add the space between 4 th-5 th metacarpal. For back pain Bend and twist while pressing

Sanyinjiao (3 yin meeting) On the medial side (inside) of the lower leg, 1 handbreadth superior to the prominence of the medial malleolus bone.

Mindfulness Meditation

Silence in a Busy World A short daily meditation practice, like physical exercise, enables you to better navigate your day mentally and emotionally. Silent meditation takes us away from words and into our own being

Calming in the Feet and Breath Calming, Centering, and Grounding– descends excess from above (overthinking) Focus on the feet during times of stress to remain grounded Focus on the feet to ground and breath to center

Our Clinic The Center for Traditional Acupuncture and Herbs 591 State Route 244 Alfred Station, NY 14802 607 -587 -9401 Also providing at Jones Memorial Hospital. alfredacupuncture. com facebook. com/alfredacupuncture Thank You!