Acupuncture

Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of healing that dates back thousands of years. At the core of TCM is the notion that a type of life force, or energy, known as qi (pronounced "chee") flows through energy pathways in the body called "meridians." Each meridian connects to one specific organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily functions. Qi maintains the dynamic balance of yin and yang, the complementary opposites that are reflected in all beings and throughout nature. When too little or too much qi exists in a meridian or when the qi stagnates or is blocked, illness results. By applying needles to certain points along the meridian lines, acupuncture restores equilibrium and health by correcting the flow of qi. Acupuncture points, or the specific locations where needles are inserted, are places where the energy pathway is close to the surface of the skin.

What was Dr Henley's training?

Dr. Henley was fortunate to be trained by the most foremost acupuncture teachers in the United States. Dr. Sunderlage was involved in the early establishment of acupuncture in this country. This is a brief history of his accomplishments. 

Jon Sunderlage, DC, DiplAc, LAc, received his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic in 1968. From 1969 to the present, he has accumulated over 4700 hours in acupuncture training in Canada, China, Europe, Tiawan (Formosa), Japan, Korea, and the United States. He has served as postgraduate faculty member and Lead Acupuncture Instructor at the National University of Health Sciences, at Logan College of Chiropractic, St Louis, Missouri and at Parker College of Chiropractic, Dallas, TX. He is currently a Board Member of the Illinois State Board of Acupuncture Examiners. He received his Diplomate in Acupuncture from NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Dr. Sunderlage is an Adjunct Faculty Member and Advisory Board Member: Midwest Center for the Study of Oriental Medicine, Chicago, Illinois and Racine, Wisconsin and is one of the founding officers or the American Chiropractic Association College of Chiropractic Acupuncture.

What type of Acupuncture does Dr. Henley perform?

Dr. Henley was trained by Doctor John Sunderlage, one of the first doctors to bring acupuncture to America in 1990 through a post doctorate program offered through Logan College of Chiropractic.  This method or technique uses a needle technique fortified or stimulated by electrical therapy with a specialized 8 lead wire. This method of Acupuncture focuses on building the persons energy system, not necessarily focusing on the pain.

To determine what is best for you specific need, Dr. Henley uses Applied Kinesiology also known as muscle testing to determine what pattern of points will be stimulated.  Then Eight wires are hooked up to the Acupuncure points and a gentle pulsing is felt.  The treatment is for 20 minute increments.  Ear points, sync points, scars and auxillary points may also be stimulated.  Often times, the feet are taped after the treatment to stimulated three acupuncture points each time the patient walks.  

Dr. Henley often gives this analogy to her patients: If one leaves the lights on their car all night it won't start until you jump start it or replace the battery.  People under the chronic stress of pain or just daily life stressors become depleted and are unable to heal on their own.  Acupuncture gently jump starts their system into the healing mode so the body begins to heal, so that patient has more power so to make changes if their life. They go from a downward spiral to moving upward in their healthand wellness.

Dr. Henley has enjoyed great success in a multitude of conditions. Children can receive acupuncture through laser light therapy. a totally non-invasive technique.

The method of Acupuncure that Dr. Henley uses generally focuses on acupuncture points that lie along the twelve principal meridians and two  "extraordinary" ones. Dr Henley may also needle "extra" points identified as a result of clinical experience or "ah shi" points that are identified by their tenderness to the touch.

The twelve principal meridians are Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder, Kidney, Pericardium, Gallbladder, Liver, and Triple Warmer. Points are identified by the abbreviation of a meridian and a number to indicate the point. For example, SP6 refers to point 6 along the Spleen meridian, while GB20 refers to point 20 on the Gall Bladder meridian. It is important to remember that the names of these meridians do not refer to the same meanings one might attach, for example, to gall bladder or liver in conventional Western medicine.

How many treatments do I need?

The number of acupuncture treatments you need depends on the complexity of your illness, whether it's a chronic or recent condition, and your general health. For example, you may need only one treatment for a recent wrist sprain, whereas for a long-standing, chronic illness you may need treatments once or twice a week for several months to get good results.

For what conditions is Acupuncture effective?

Acupuncture is effective for pain relief and for post-surgery and chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. In addition, both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be a helpful part of a treatment plan for many illnesses. A partial list includes: addiction (such as alcoholism), asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, facial tics, headaches, irregular periods, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, sinusitis, spastic colon, stroke rehabilitation, tendinitis, tennis elbow, and urinary problems. You can safely combine acupuncture with prescription drugs and other conventional treatments, but it's important for your -primary care physician to be aware of and to monitor your acupuncture treatment.

How much does a treatment cost?

A typical Acupuncture treatment cost $50 to $65.

Does my medical insurance cover acupuncture treatments?

Check with your insurance company to see what your policy offers. Over the last few years fewer and fewer insurance providers cover Acupuncture.  Of those providers that do cover, the providers may have restrictions on the types of illnesses they cover.

Dr. Henley does auricular or ear acupuncture to aide in quit smoking.

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