Fort Lauderdale Acupuncture, Inc. 

Understanding Acupuncture: It's All About Balance....

Yin and Yang are the most fundamental concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Yin represents that which is liquid, or the more material aspect of the universe and yang represents the more energetic state.

• Although they are opposite in nature, they are inter-dependent. Without one, the other ceases to be.
  
• They maintain a dynamic state of balance and are in a continuous state of adjustment.
• Yin can change into yang, and vice-versa, but only at certain stages of development, never at random.

From these very simple concepts emerged an understanding of the relationship between heaven and earth, day and night, male and female, and in medicine, Qi and blood.
    Examples of how a Doctor of Acupuncture might use Yin and Yang in their diagnosis might be as follows:
The patient, a 52 year old woman, may be going through menopause. Part of the diagnosis may indicate a deficiency of yin.
    Another example might be a 35 year old man who suffers from chronic fatigue. His diagnosis might include a deficiency of yang. In either case of deficiency the physician would seek to tonify or augment the yin or the yang in order to restore health and bring the body back into balance.

An Office Visit: What to Expect...

During your first office visit, we will review your complete medical history. It's important that you bring any lab tests, diagnostic reports, lists of medications you are taking and any other medical information that is pertinent to your condition. Upon reviewing this information and conducting her interview, Dr. Rowe will develop a diagnosis and treatment plan that will target your primary symptoms and complaint. If time allows, she will generally begin treatment that day.

The Big Question:
Does Acupuncture Hurt?

The most frequently asked question about Acupuncture is does it hurt? For the most part, no, but there are certain points that can be more sensitive than others. The sensations patients feel at times when receiving Acupuncture vary in intensity but can be described as tingly, pulsating and sometimes electric. These initial sensations frequently subside during the session. Most patients will feel very relaxed during treatment and many will fall asleep. Typically, the needles will stay in for 20 to 30 minutes depending on what's being treated. At the end of the session, the needles are removed and disposed of in a biohazardous waste container.

Meridians: The Energetic Pathways of the Body

The framework on which Acupuncture is based is on energetic pathways called meridians. These pathways travel up and down the front and back of the body, the inner and outer aspects of the arms and hands, and the inner and outer aspect of the legs and feet.
    There are six yin meridians representing the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen and pericardium.
    There are six yang meridians: the large intestine, small intestine, stomach, gall bladder and the urinary bladder. The sixth "organ" used to define what we know as endocrine function, is called the "Triple Warmer".
    Along each of these pathways are the acupuncture points that when stimulated will produce a biological reaction.
    Once a diagnosis has been reached by the physician, he/she will select the appropriate points to address the patient's primary complaint and help in resolving the symptoms they are presenting.