Body Meridians
An ancient system of diagnosis and treatment based on a series of channels running through the body called ‘meridians’. At Cactus, we use a combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and palpation-based styles to identify where in the body to direct our treatments. We may also use Japanese style needling, bodywork such as tui na or shiatsu, e-stim, or trigger point needling when appropriate.
What to
Expect
First office visit - 75 minutes
Your first office visit includes a comprehensive health history, physical exam, review of relevant labs and medical records, and an opportunity for us to discuss our approach to your health care needs. The first session generally includes acupuncture, but some complex cases may require us to use the majority of the time to discuss your health history, and in that event, acupuncture will be rescheduled to the next visit.
Follow-up office visit - 60 minutes
Return acupuncture visits include 15-20 minutes with the practitioner to discuss changes since the last visit and allow for brief reassessment if necessary. The remainder of the time will consist of your treatment.
Home visit (First and Follow-up visits) - 60 minutes
We understand that home visits can be easiest for busy individuals or families and we are able to travel to you to provide acupuncture at home on a limited basis. These visits include 15-20 minutes of health history intake and physical exam, and the remainder of the time will consist of your treatment. These appointments are arranged on an individual basis.
Acupuncture FAQ
Acupuncture is an ancient medical system from China that has been practiced for thousands of years. The practitioner uses a combination of questions and palpatory skills to diagnose the patient’s complaint and then places single-use, sterile, disposable needles into various points located on the patient’s body. By needling these points in specific combinations, we can effect change. There are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the body connected by 20 pathways called meridians or channels (12 primary, 8 secondary). Points can be used to effect change in small sections of the body or throughout the body as a whole. Your practitioner will carefully assess your condition and select a series of acupuncture points to treat based on their diagnosis.
For many folks, their first thought about acupuncture’s effectiveness is in treating pain. While its true acupuncture is highly effective for pain, it can treat so much more. In an official report, the World Health Organization has found that at least 31 symptoms, conditions, and diseases are effectively treated by acupuncture in clinical studies. These include essential hypertension, peptic ulcers, allergies, and rheumatoid arthritis. Follow this link to read the article and learn more - Acupucture Today
Some conditions we frequently treat at Cactus include autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and mental-emotional complaints.
Acupuncture works by adjusting the nervous system’s activation level and adjusting its response throughout the body, like changing your radio volume or channel. This causes alterations to blood flow, reduced inflammation, and the promotion of normal homeostatic (balancing) mechanisms. The needles also interact with smaller nerves which can reduce pain and promote more rapid healing.
For more detailed information, we recommend the following series of articles:
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-i-a-case-of-mistaken-identity/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-ii-origins-of-the-energy-meridian-myth/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-iii-the-energy-meridian-model-debunked/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-iv-how-acupuncture-works/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-v-a-closer-look-at-how-acupuncture-relieves-pain/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-vi-5-ways-acupuncture-can-help-you-where-drugs-and-surgery-cant/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-ii-origins-of-the-energy-meridian-myth/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-iii-the-energy-meridian-model-debunked/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-iv-how-acupuncture-works/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-v-a-closer-look-at-how-acupuncture-relieves-pain/
https://chriskresser.com/chinese-medicine-demystified-part-vi-5-ways-acupuncture-can-help-you-where-drugs-and-surgery-cant/
This is one of the most common questions I am asked about acupuncture, and I can attest that the most common response I hear from a worried patient after their first treatment is, “Oh, that was it?”. While acupuncture is not generally painful, it is not without sensation. Common normal sensations after needle placement include tingling, a spreading feeling of warmth or dullness, or a heavy sensation. Any sense of sharpness or persistent discomfort signifies that the needle should be adjusted, and you should alert your practitioner. You should feel comfortable throughout your treatment.
We recommend wearing loose-fitting clothes that easily roll up above the knee and elbow. In the event we need to reach points that are not accessible with your clothing, we will provide gowns and appropriate linens for draping. Please remember to eat and drink at least 1-2 hours before your appointment. This can be a snack or a small meal, but preferably not a full meal. If you are unable to eat, please let us know – we keep some small snacks and juice boxes in case of such situations.
We offer two types of acupuncture appointments: A first appointment (FOC) or a return appointment (ROC). First appointments run about 75 minutes and include up to 25 minutes of discussing your concerns, answering questions, and reviewing a comprehensive health history with you. A physical exam will be performed as appropriate, and a course of treatment will be discussed with you. The practitioner will then place the needles and leave you to rest with the needles in for 15-20 minutes. The needles will then be removed, and new ones may be placed for additional time. Return visits are 60 minutes in length and include a re-evaluation of history and physical exam as needed, followed by treatment by your provider.
It is normal to feel a bit drowsy after an acupuncture treatment, so we recommend building in a bit of recovery time after your session. However, it is fine to go about your day, as usual, exercise, or see other practitioners on the same day you receive acupuncture. We generally recommend avoiding substances that may increase drowsiness, such as alcohol or substances that may be too energizing, such as caffeine, on the same day you receive acupuncture.
The number of treatments needed is discussed on an individual basis. I can generally tell if I will be able to effect change within four treatments. Some patients may experience a resolution of their symptoms in as little as one treatment, particularly if their problem is relatively new, while patients experiencing more chronic symptoms may require more treatments. You will receive a treatment summary after meeting with the practitioner, highlighting the anticipated course of treatment.
Acupuncture is very safe when practiced by a trained professional. Dr. Bender’s training in acupuncture and herbal medicine included three years of rigorous study and over 1200 hours of clinical training from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM), a nationally accredited institution. Herbal medicine is also very safe in the hands of a trained practitioner, and potential allergies and adverse reactions are discussed with patients before the prescription.
Acupuncture is very safe during pregnancy when practiced by a trained professional. Some points are traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy generally and parts of the body that are not needled depending on the trimester of pregnancy. Please alert your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or concerned that you might be pregnant to make adjustments.
In typical acupuncture treatments, there are very few substances used that may trigger an allergic reaction. Needles are stainless steel and thus non-reactive. When massage or cupping is indicated, we use sesame oil as a medium, and we will always alert you regarding substances we may utilize. Herbal medicines include various plant, mineral, or animal products, and we will discuss them with you prior to prescription. If you have a known allergic reaction, please alert your practitioner to ensure your safety.