Acupuncture/鍼

As other ancient medicine, acupuncture practices have been formed differently in each region of the world. It was localized to natural and human environments such as work and life style, climate, natural resource, religion, philosophy, language, and cognitive system. For example in Japan as islands, due to humidity in the islandic climate, acupuncture practices have been highly customized especially for the problems caused by humidity such as circulation problem (water, blood, and nerve), coldness in body, digestion problems, joint problems (where water tend to stay), skin problem, hemorrhoids, lower back pain, depression, gynecological problems and many others (see Experienced area of illnesses and symptoms). Not only that, acupuncture has been conducted for most of the illnesses and injuries as it was the main medicine of Eastern countries in history. World Health Organization (WHO) also officially listed symptoms and illnesses applicable to acupuncture treatments in the extent of their scientific researches. Fine needles Acupuncture uses needles made of metal like stainless, silver, gold, etc. For my practices, I use needles, which are often skinnier than human hair. Therefore, patients have different experiences from the images of acupuncture they had, and especially from the second session, most of people are sleeping with needles. Another characteristic of Japanese acupuncture is production of the finest flexible needles, which is also known with facial treatments. Meridians Needles are placed, inserted through skin, or touched skin to stimulate meridians. Meridians are like a railway of energy, and 12 of them are connected to 12 organs. Therefore, stimulus on acupuncture points on meridians can affect states in organs. Meridians are developed to be more complicated and finer as it was traveled from West to East. In Eastern Asia, 20 meridians and 365 acupuncture points on them are used. Pulse Diagnosis Selections of acupuncture points can be done by understanding physiological states (physically and psychologically) by doing pulse diagnosis. By pulse diagnosis, it is possible to see how blood is flowing in 12 organs, and from that pattern, we get images of what functions are excessive or lowered, how the functions of organs have been, how those functions can be in future with the states now, and which kind of psychological states can be with that physiological states. However, if the person is using medication at the moment, or more the use in general, it is harder to understand the states of the person. Sensation which patients feel by acupuncture Stimulus of needles on skin or under skin makes patients feel something running to other parts of body via the network of meridians. Sometimes patients don’t realize needles went in, and sometimes needle is sandwiched by tight muscles around. Then we feel squeezed or have a strong nerve reaction. Sometimes we feel reactions more at different parts of the body than where we were needled. Whichever of the reactions you feel, it is better to be relaxed. After needles are taken out, patients might feel as if needles are still there. They feel often sleepy and drawgy, sometimes heavier. It is in a process of the change which your body is making. Some people will be sleepy and some other people will be energetic. Everyone has a different process and sensation from others in the process of curing. However, anyway from the second treatment, people are sleeping with needles. How one treatment looks like I usually spend up to 1.5 hr with patient to: Ask to fill in a medical question sheets/patient explains the illness and symptom Ask to change to a treatment uniform or cover with towel above underwear Make sure that the patient has comfortable position and temperature Provide explanation of acupuncture as needed Check body and diagnose from pause Open new needles in front of patients Provide acupuncture as educated at a Japanese medical school in the procedure licensed by Japanese government first for front side, then back side (each side 20-30 mins). Provide facial and scalp massage between front and back sides treatments (5 mins). Ask the patient to slowly wake up and have a drink before leaving. Explain the physiological states, recommendations and plan for sessions as needed. For Serbian-speaking patients, interpreter will be constantly be with and help you there.