Qi Energy
Does acupuncture work in Primary Care? What is it? What can it treat?
The following is a guest blog from Sara Poldmae, a licensed Acupuncturist who opened Meadow Hill Wellness in 2005.
Acupuncture is an effective form of health care that has evolved into a complete and holistic medical system. Acupuncturists help people with a variety of health problems, by working with our patients’ Qi.
What is “Qi’, you may ask? At the core of this ancient medicine is the philosophy that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows throughout the body. Qi animates the body and protects it from illness, pain and disease. A person’s health is influenced by the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.
masunaga-meridian-chart
An obstruction to the flow of “Qi” is like a dam. When Qi becomes backed up in one part of the body, the flow becomes restricted in other parts. This blockage of the flow of Qi can be detrimental to a person’s health, cutting off vital nourishment to the body, organs and glands.
Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.
Normally, when a blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.
Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Below are some of the health concerns that acupuncture can effectively treat:
Addiction
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Bronchitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic fatigue
Colitis
Common cold
Constipation
Dental pain
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestive trouble
Dizziness
Dysentery
Emotional problems
Eye problems
Facial palsy
Fatigue
Fertility
Fibromyalgia
Gingivitis
Headache
Hiccough
Incontinence
Indigestion
Irritable bowel syndrome
Low back pain
Menopause
Menstrual irregularities
Migraine
Morning sickness
Nausea
Osteoarthritis
Pain
PMS
Pneumonia
Reproductive problems
Rhinitis
Sciatica
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Shoulder pain
Sinusitis
Sleep disturbances
Smoking cessation
Sore throat
Stress
Tennis elbow
Tonsillitis
Tooth pain
Trigeminal neuralgia
Urinary tract infections
Vomiting
Wrist pain
Acupuncture is extremely safe. It is an all-natural, drug-free therapy, yielding no side effects just feelings of relaxation and well-being. There is little danger of infection from acupuncture needles because they are sterile, used once, and then discarded.
Today, acupuncturists undertake three to four years of extensive and comprehensive graduate training at nationally certified schools. All acupuncturists must pass a national exam and meet strict guidelines to practice in every state.
Sara Poldmae, Licensed Acupuncturist, has been practicing holistic health care since 1998.
Sara Poldmae, Licensed Acupuncturist, has been practicing holistic health care since 1998. Sara earned her Masters of Science degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California. Her training included over 3,000 hours in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Medicine Sciences.
