Lately, I find myself frequently answering the question, “Can acupuncture help with…. (fill in your health issue)?”
My answer, invariably, is yes. And it’s not because I’m trying to sell people on acupuncture, but it really is how the medicine works.
During an exchange of emails with someone who wanted to know if Chinese medicine can help with a specific disorder, I found myself writing this:
You have to understand that Chinese medicine is not “set up” to address specific conditions. We help the body get back on track to doing what it’s supposed to do, and that brings the person to a balanced state of health. As a result of becoming healthier, often more than one condition that a person is suffering will gradually resolve. For instance, the lady who stopped having panic attacks after one treatment continued to come in and see me to prevent recurrence. Not only did the panic attacks not return, her sleep improved. Her IBS got a lot better. She had a rash that disappeared.
Our medicine is truly holistic and not linear, so if you want definitive statements like “if A, then B”, then you’re probably not going to get it… at least not from me. 🙂
The second most frequently asked question is “How long will it take?” The answer is, it depends on the patient. Every person is different and will likely respond in his/her own way. The power of Chinese medicine lies in the fact that each treatment is tailored for the individual who walks in the door. The more consistently treatment is administered – be it once, twice or three times a week – the more likely it is that healing will occur faster.
So if you’re still wondering if you ought to try acupuncture, just do it. The person who can best answer your questions is actually… you.