I have been an acupuncturist in Bergen County, NJ for over 16 years and during this time I have had the opportunity to treat many types of patients. I’d like to share some confessions with you.
1.Acupuncture is not just for pain:
Most people who have received acupuncture or have read about acupuncture will say that it is for pain. This of course is true, but many who come in for pain start to realize that acupuncture is a great “stress reduction” therapy session. Working long hours in New Jersey with plenty of traffic and commuter stress, people are desperate for relief from the “grind” of physical and mental stress. Acupuncture helps to center, relax, and calm people down. And you know what, it is okay to feel that way! I had a Type A patient who asked me to help her with her pain but made it clear that she did not want to feel relaxed after the session. (She did and eventually left!) Acupuncture releases endorphins, and help tone the para-sympathetic nervous system so take your mind and body from a stressed “fight or flight’ response to a profoundly deep and relaxed state of mind and body. You may not know that acupuncture is currently being used in the military to help troops deal with the physical and psychological manifestations of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome as well as for back pain, headache, insomnia an traumatic injuries. I always tell my patients that in essence, acupuncture squeezes the body to utilize it’s own resources better. The needles send the signals to the body to do this.
2. Acupuncture needles pinch but they don’t hurt!
This by far is the most common fear preventing people from giving acupuncture a try. So here’s the deal. Acupuncture needles are slightly bigger than a cat’s whisker. Nothing is injected into the needles, which makes them extremely small.
A slight pinch may be felt when inserted into the skin, but it does not cause the pain associated with hollow hypodermic needles, the kind of feeling that most people fear when going to the doctor.
3. Acupuncturists go to school for a long time.
People tend to be unaware of the extent to which acupuncturists train to become licensed in their profession. At minimum, a licensed acupuncturist in the United States has been to three years of graduate school. Four years is more common. They hold masters degrees. Upon graduating from an accredited school, all acupuncturists must pass multiple board exams to become licensed in their state. The National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture or (NCCAOM) is the national national body that oversees Acupuncture certification nationwide. In addition to Continuing education, many acupuncturists are trained as certified Chinese herbalists and can combine the two modalities to enhance treatment outcomes. In addition to the academic and state requirements for practicing acupuncture, many acupuncturists seek hands-on training and mentorship in the form of apprenticeships.
4. What do the needles do?
Once the needles are inserted, they start working their magic, which is where the relaxation part comes in. Acupuncture helps shift your body out of sympathetic “fight or flight” mode, and into parasympathetic mode (rest and digest). It chills out the nervous system, decreases muscular tension, and helps quiet the internal chatter.
People who get acupuncture on a regular basis are familiar with the term “acu-land”. This is a state of blissful relaxation in which you feel lighter, calmer, and better equipped to manage stress.
If you are struggling with chronic physical or emotional health issues or just want a higher level of balance in your life, consider incorporating acupuncture into your wellness regimen.
Joshua Goldstein is an acupuncturist working in Ridgewood NJ 201-444-7150. Website; acupunctureYes.com email integrativeacupuncturecenter@gmail.com