Melody's Musings

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one modality of treatment within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and was described in The Nei Jing, dating back to around 300 B.C. Chinese medicine has gone through an extensive modernization process throughout the centuries which has led to better patient outcomes and more integrative and complementary care for patients. Acupuncture uses extremely thin, filamented, single use sterile needles. These needles are used to promote proper circulation of qi and blood in the body in order to promote your body’s natural healing response and support normal functioning of your body’s systems. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine views an individual without pain or illness as balanced and healthy- when symptoms occur, that is a sign of disharmony. TCM aims to balance the body’s qi, blood and organ systems to reduce symptoms and to heal illness. Once the patient’s pattern has been identified, a treatment plan can be created to bring the patient closer to a balanced state. This can be achieved through acupuncture, tui na (chinese medical massage), qigong (therapeutic exercise), cupping, moxibustion (the use of burned mugwort), dietary changes and herbal medicine. 

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture has been found from a biomedical perspective to produce neurotransmitters, endorphins, and other biochemical compounds to decrease pain and inflammation, balance hormones, disrupt and modulate the stress response and balance digestion. Acupuncture is a natural way to shift your body’s nervous system from a “fight or flight” state to a “rest and digest” state where healing can occur so that your body can repair and restore itself.  Studies have found that Acupuncture down-regulates the amygdala which is a fancy way of saying that it reduces activity in the 'fear center' of the brain. Acupuncture points are precise anatomical locations which have higher concentrations of superficial nerve endings and blood vessels that can send signals to the brain and organs (viscera) when stimulated along trains of fascia (connective tissue) which correspond to traditional channels.

How does acupuncture help with stress relief?

Acupuncture works naturally to help with stress relief in a number of ways. As discussed above, acupuncture down-regulates the amygdala (your brain’s fear center) in order to shift your nervous system into a “rest and digest” state which brings a deep sense of calm, improved sleep, mental clarity and improved resilience to life’s stressors. I’ve worked with patients who experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, PTSD, burnout, digestive and hormonal imbalances and many other health conditions. Treatments give you the opportunity to slow down, be more centered, and recover. Stress is seemingly universal in our current society and everyone presents differently. I can provide personalized support to bring awareness to how your body responds to stress, what symptoms arise and what the root causes are behind those symptoms. 

Is Acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is safe when practiced by a licensed acupuncturist. I'm a nationally accredited Diplomate of Acupuncture through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), certified in Clean Needle Technique through the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) and licensed in the State of New York. My rigorous 4 year Masters Degree program at the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture emphasized biomedical courses in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Nutrition, and more. There I gained 3,000+ hours of didactic and hands-on clinical experience treating an array of medical conditions across community, outpatient, and hospital settings. My education attests to my diligence, integrity, and dedication to providing safe clinical care. After completing my rigorous studies and passing my board exams, I have continued my education in endocrinology, fertility, pregnancy, labor and postpartum as well as cosmetic concerns and even rare conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Rest assured, I'm always learning and improving in order to provide the highest quality of care for my patients and remain current on the best treatment strategies.

What if I am scared of needles?

First, know that this is common and completely understandable. Thankfully Acupuncture needles are drastically different from the hypodermic needles used to give shots—which is what most people picture when they think of Acupuncture. For starters, Acupuncture needles are filiform (not hollow), flexible, and extremely thin—just wider than a strand of hair. They are also rounded at the end which makes them nearly sensation-free when placed. Acupuncture should always be painless, especially when working with a skilled practitioner. I have trained for years in order to provide you with safe and gentle care. If you still have concerns, I will be happy to guide you through your treatment to ease your mind and ensure your comfort.

How many treatments will I need?

When creating a foundation for successful outcomes, I consider the severity of your condition, how long you have had it, your follow-through on recommendations offered, as well as the consistency of your care. 

Treatment frequency is an essential component for successful outcomes because Acupuncture works cumulatively. Treatments and any effects need time to build on one another to become long-lasting—like learning a new skill or starting an exercise program. The more chronic the condition, the more care that is likely needed to improve your health. 

If you are looking to “try” Acupuncture, keep in mind that it often takes more than 1-2 treatments to start noticing results. If you are looking to create a foundation for wellness that goes beyond band-aid symptom support and instead allows for sustainable relief, Osgood Family Acupuncture, PLLC would be a good fit for you. 

In general for acute conditions, it takes a minimum of 6-8 sessions to start seeing improvements with change. For many clients, results can become apparent after the first or second treatment, however, in order for those to last, following through with the course of your recommended treatment plan is required to accumulate progress that holds. For more chronic and severe conditions, a minimum of 8-10 treatments is typically needed. I will collaborate with you on a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs to give you the most effective care in the most efficient time frame possible.

What’s it like to get acupuncture?

If you decide you want to get acupuncture, you might have some questions about what the experience will feel like. Before getting started, I will usually ask you questions about your lifestyle, your reason for wanting to do acupuncture, and your health history. I will also take a look at your tongue for additional clues about your mental and physical state. Based on your concerns and my assessment of your physical state, I will insert needles that are about as thin as a strand of hair in specific acupuncture points aimed to treat your specific concerns.

Once I’ve put the needles in the right areas, I will typically dim the lights, put on some calming music or white noise, and leave the room, usually for about 20-30 minutes. Some people take this time to think and relax, meditate, or fall asleep.

Your treatment plan — how often you have sessions, how long they last, where needles are placed, and how many sessions you have overall — will depend on your specific concerns and how you are changing over time. For example, while some people using acupuncture for back pain need just a few sessions to see improvement, others may need more.

Are there any side effects?

Generally, there shouldn’t be. Some people may report a bit of pinching or pain at the needle insertion sites; if this is something you experience, you should tell me, and I will make accommodations to ease that discomfort. Some people also may get small bruises at the insertion sites. Before acupuncturists switched to single-use disposable needles, there was a risk of infection — if needles weren’t cleaned properly between clients, people could get infected with things that clients previous to them had — but this is no longer a significant concern as we use single-use sterile needles which are disposed of after use. Some people may also feel slightly dizzy or lightheaded coming off the table. If that happens, take your time in changing your position and let me know so I can help you up and prevent any falls.