Center for Integrated Medicine

Questions and Answers About Acupuncture

“Acupuncture is

not widely known or used in North Dakota, but patients have had excellent

outcomes,” explains Karla Sayler, director of the Center for

Integrated Medicine at St. Alexius. “This treatment is gaining

acceptance nationwide. The National Institutes of Health recently released

a consensus statement that further validates the utilization, as well as

the effectiveness, of acupuncture.”

One in four Americans

uses some type of complementary and alternative medicine such as massage

therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy, chiropractic care or acupuncture. In

1999, St. Alexius conducted research to determine the utilization of these

treatments in our community. The results showed that people living in

Bismarck-Mandan used most of these therapies more than the national

average. For instance, chiropractic care and massage therapy were used by

11 percent of Americans nationwide, while 37 percent of residents in

Bismarck-Mandan used chiropractic care and 22 percent used massage

therapy. Of those who responded to this local survey, 75 percent felt

alternative therapies were “somewhat effective” or “very

effective.” “More health systems are integrating alternative and

complementary medicine into their service offerings,” Sayler says.

“St. Alexius has been researching this field for two years. We feel

consumers are asking health systems to offer alternative and complementary

medicine and expect the same quality of care as any other services

hospitals provide.” 

The following is an

interview with Robert Gietzen, certified acupuncturist affiliated with St.

Alexius Medical Center.

What is Acupuncture?

The National Institutes of Health define acupuncture as an ancient

Chinese health practice that involves puncturing the skin with hair-thin

needles at particular locations, called acupuncture points, on the

patient’s body. This stimulates production of certain chemicals in the

brain. These chemical changes help to reduce pain or release other

chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body’s self-regulating

systems.

Acupuncture had a

dramatic increase in popularity during President Nixon’s trip to China

when a staff member became ill and had a miraculous recovery after being

treated with acupuncture. Now more than one million Americans each year

receive acupuncture.

How does it Work?

The ancient Chinese discovered electrical impulses passed through the

body in pathways called meridians. Each pathway is associated with a

specific body system and organ. If the energy within the pathways is

disrupted, disease occurs. The purpose of acupuncture is to restore this

disrupted energy flow and promote balance and healing in the body.

What does

Acupuncture Treat?  

One of the main reasons Americans seek acupuncture treatment is to

assist in the treatment of chronic problems, such as severe

osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, post-surgical pain,

tennis elbow, and many other chronic conditions.

Acupuncture increases

flexibility and restores blood flow, which in turn decreases pain.

Patients treated for arthritic knees and tennis elbow respond very

quickly. Those with sever osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis don’t

necessarily respond as quickly; however, acupuncture can be very effective

over time. Typically, arthritic conditions can not be alleviated. However,

with acupuncture, patients generally become more flexible, allowing them a

better quality of life.

Acupuncture also complements

conventional treatment. Treating post-surgical pain with a combination of

drugs and acupuncture is just one example. Acupuncture may also reduce the

need for conventional pain-killing medications. Since patients may need a

lesser dosage, the risk of side effects from those drugs is reduced.

What are the Side

Effects of Acupuncture?

Side effects are minimal to none.

What Happens at the

First Visit?

A detailed health history is obtained using Chinese methodology. An

extremity problem, like tennis elbow or a knee injury, would require a

minimal examination, while someone suffering from a chronic condition such

as fibromyalgia would receive a more in-depth examination.

Is Acupuncture

Painful?

Acupuncturists are trained in exact needle placement. Unlike the

thicker, hollow hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and hair

thin. As a result of a special technique and practice, patients report

that a majority of the time they experience no pain. At worst, it is often

no more painful than a mosquito bite. A defective needle or one placed

improperly can cause soreness or pain. That’s why you should choose a

qualified acupuncturist. 

Acupuncture needles are

regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in the same way as scalpels

and hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles  must be sterile and

used only once.

What if I Am Afraid

of Needles?  

There are numerous ways to make people comfortable prior to

acupuncture. If a patient doesn’t want to have needles used,

acupressure beads can be positioned on the body. The patient

stimulates the bead throughout the day. Patients feel the effects and most

times will make the decision to be needled. In addition, there are other

ways to achieve the positive effects of Chinese medicine without the use

of needles. 

Do I Have to Keep

Coming Back?

If you have a chronic condition, like osteoarthritis, the initial

treatment will be more aggressive. Once you are feeling better, you should

let the body promote its own healing, returning to an acupuncturist only

as necessary for pain control. 

One positive aspect

about acupuncture is that it has a cumulative effect. The more you do it,

the more powerful its effects become. Typically, women feel its effects

more quickly than men.

For conditions such as

post-surgical knee or hip pain, once you’ve stimulated that area and have

energy flowing, that pain generally doesn’t return unless the are is

injured again.

What Type of Results

Have You Seen?

I’ve worked with arthritis patients who have contemplated quitting

their jobs and have been almost wheelchair bound. After acupuncture

treatments, they have noted improved quality of life, resuming more of

their normal life activities. The arthritis isn’t cured, but the treatment

has given them more flexibility. These patients need ongoing care. How

much depends on their activity level.

Do I Need a Referral

From a Physician to Make an Appointment?

No. We would be glad to accept referral from your physician, but it’s

not necessary. You can refer yourself to our center.

One of our goals is to

have ongoing communication with your physician regarding the scope of

treatment and outcomes.

Is Acupuncture

Covered by Insurance?

Currently, North Dakota does not provide coverage for this service.

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