Needles Not So Bad
Acupuncture Serves as an Alternative Medicine
Put plainly, acupuncture is when very fine needles are placed on the surface of the body, so that they may influence the body's physiological functioning. Acupuncture strives to reprogram and restore normal functions of the body simply by stimulating certain points on the meridians (or pathways of energy) so that the energy (called Qi) can be freed up.
According to Rachel Blunk, who works as a Fertility Acupuncturist in Fort Collins, Colo., acupuncture improves blood flow to the injured or affected area, and releases endorphins, which make patients feel good.
"It also relaxes the fight or fight response, which in most people, is turned up too high," she said in an email interview in May of 2009.
Rachel Blunk's husband, Scott Blunk is also an acupuncturist and owns Fort Collins Acupuncture in Fort Collins, Colo. He said that acupuncture has a strong effect on various systems of the body, especially the neuro-endocrine and skeletal systems.
Why It Works
"It works without disrupting normal body functions, unlike surgery and many medications," he said in an email interview in May of 2009. "People like it because they immediately feel better and generally have a pleasant experience during treatments."
Rachel and Scott both agree that one of the things that turns people off most about acupuncture is the fear of needles.
"Most people get over that very quickly once they realize the needles are comfortable," Scott said.
Rachel agrees, "I think people are scared of needles and also of the unknown," she said. "I would say that 95 percent of my patients wind up really liking acupuncture and get good relief from their issues."
Both Rachel and Scott have been practicing acupuncture for 10 years and both see up to 50 patients a week.
There are several things that can be helped or treated by acupuncture. These include most types of pain, musculoskeletal problems, and immune, respiratory, digestive and reproductive issues.
Rachel, who specifically treats infertility, said that acupuncture can help PMS, cramps, endometriosis, and pregnancy issues that can't be treated with medicine during pregnancy (headaches, morning sickness, etc.).
"It is also very good for sinus problems, back pain, head aches, digestive problems, and stress," she said.
Body Helped by Acupuncture
According to Scott, acupuncture enhances existing body functions, strongly encouraging the body to heal itself. In Scott's opinion, some of the greatest benefits of acupuncture is pain relieft and restoration of a better life.
"Pain can greatly limit people's activities and successful treatments make a huge difference for their quality of life," Scott said.
Qi or Chi (pronounced "chee") is the energy of the body, Rachel said. In the case of pain, Qi gets stuck, causing pain, numbness or discomfort.
"Acupuncture moves the Qi, releasing the blockage and clearing the pain," she said.
Why Acupuncture
Both Rachel and Scott had good success as patients of acupuncture and decided it was what they wanted to do.
Generally, Scott said, students must have at least an Associates degree before they can be admitted to acupuncture school. The program is four years and students earn a Masters level degree.
Rachel said that she had back pain as a sophomore in college and her mom convinced her to see an acupuncturist. She was hooked and went straight to acupuncture school instead of medical school.
Sometimes, people use acupuncture if other medicine doesn't work.
"It is often seen as a last resort when other medical treatments don't work," Rachel said. "From the cases I've seen and treated, I think it can be a first choice of treatment, barring medical emergencies."
Visit their web site for more information on Scott and Rachel Blunk's practice, or acupuncture in general.
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