Pleasant Wellness

In Massachusetts licensed acupuncturists must undergo rigorous training. An applicant needs to complete two full academic years in an accredited university, college or other institution approved by the Board of Registration in Medicine. The education must include general biology, human anatomy and human physiology. In addition, acupuncturists need to complete nearly 2,000 hours of clinical/didactic instruction in acupuncture-related courses, of which a minimum of 100 hours must be in the supervised diagnosis and treatment of patients for whom the applicant was solely responsible. Acupuncturists also need a minimum of 30 hours of herbal medicine training from a Committee-approved school or program. You can read the full requirements here: 243 CMR 5: The Practice of Acupuncture, Board of Registration in Medicine https://www.mass.gov/regulations/243-CMR-5-the-practice-of-acupuncture

Yes. Acupuncture is effective in treating a wide range of childhood conditions, including headaches, abdominal pain, musculoskeletal problems and anxiety. Based on available data, pediatric acupuncture is safe when performed by a licensed professional. According to a National Health Statistics report from 2007, around 150,000 children in the U.S. receive acupuncture each year. The risk of adverse effects in children is almost the same as adults. Research shows that only 1.55 out of 100 children reported adverse effects. The effects were mostly mild, including nausea, bruising, pain at the puncture point and crying. Some children may find acupuncture unsettling so it’s important to talk to them both before and during treatment. Bring a favorite toy or digital device to help the child relax. When curiosity wins over the nerves, acupuncture can be an enjoyable experience.

Although there are no mandatory preparations for an acupuncture appointment, here are a few recommendations. - Do not arrive at your acupuncture appointment on an empty stomach - Try to avoid coffee and alcohol the day of your appointment - Wear loose clothing to your appointment - Try not to schedule an appointment on a busy day - Tell your acupuncturist of any medications you are taking Here is a list of things to remember before your treatment: “8 Things to Remember Before an Acupuncture Appointment”, by Sara Calabro https://www.huffpost.com/entry/acupuncture-tips_b_1568011

In general people experience a positive effect from acupuncture after 2-3 sessions. The number of sessions it takes before seeing results varies from person to person. And it also depends on the disorder being treated. While there are no scientific studies on this subject, there are countless testimonies. Here are a few indicators that your treatment is working: • Improved sleep: Some insomniacs are surprised to see that their sleep cycles are normalized, even though it was not their primary reason for seeking treatment. • Reduced stress: You may find that you are less stressed and not overwhelmed by daily tasks. • Improved awareness: Experiencing sharpened senses, enhanced colors and tastes for example. • Increased appetite: and digestion … • Balanced emotions: When it comes to emotions, some people experience more balanced emotions and others a sense of emotional release. • Pain relief: Many experience pain relief, even after the first session.

Yes. If this is your physical state, it may be even more beneficial to get treatment. Stress often makes muscles tense. And if left unmanaged, stress can cause other negative effects on the body and even provoke illnesses. There are two main ways that acupuncture can help relieve pain and stress. Relaxing Muscles: When a muscle is tense for an extended period of time, it stops the natural cycle of contracting and relaxing. This means that less blood and nutrients are delivered to the muscle. As a result, knots or tight bands can develop causing pain. Stimulating acupuncture points can help muscles relax and release. Relaxing the Mind: Another reason why people feel relaxed after an acupuncture session is that it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. When activated it sends signals to your brain to relax and unwind. Which is why it makes sense to book an acupuncture appointment if you are feeling stressed.

Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving the insertion of fine and flexible needles into the skin at precise points. The goal is to clear and balance the energy pathways. This energy or life force believed to flow through the meridians is known as chi or Qi (pronounced “chee”). Acupuncture practitioners believe that when Qi does not flow freely, it can cause illness. They also believe that acupuncture can restore balance and health on a holistic level. Western medicine explains acupuncture's healing through knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and the principles of evidence based medicine. Western scientists believe that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system, and this results in the release of substances including immune system cells, endorphins, neurohormones and neurotransmitters. These substances may have a great variety of beneficial effects on the body like pain relief, lowered stress and an overall sense of well-being.

Acupuncture is considered safe during pregnancy. In fact, a large number of pregnant women seek out acupuncture to help treat lower back pain, pelvic pain, fetal malposition, nausea, vomiting, headache, depression, insomnia and other pregnancy-induced issues. Evidence of acupuncture being effective during pregnancy for various conditions is emerging. There have been numerous studies on the risk factors of acupuncture during pregnancy. Out of 10,000 pregnant women receiving acupuncture treatments, only 1.5% (147 women) reported mild or moderate adverse effects. The most common is reported to be needling pain. There were no serious adverse effects related to acupuncture in 10,000 treatments. Learn more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4112450/

For most patients, acupuncture is not painful. Acupuncture needles have an average diameter of 0.00325 inches which can be compared to a strand of hair. You would need around 100 acupuncture needles to match the diameter of a regular hypodermic needle. The majority of people report that they usually don’t feel the needles going in or that they feel a slight tingling at the puncture point. When the needle is in place a dull or throbbing sensation may be felt which many people find relaxing. You could also experience an electric sensation and warmth around the acupuncture points. Acupuncture should not be painful which is why you should tell your acupuncturist if you experience any form of pain. Some people feel sore after an acupuncture treatment and this is nothing to worry about. An acupuncture session is usually a relaxing experience and many fall asleep during treatments.

Acupuncture is considered safe when performed by a qualified practitioner using sterile needles. There are however reports of mostly mild and short-term side effects such as: - Pain where the needles were inserted - Slight bleeding or bruising - Drowsiness - Feeling dizzy or faint Millions of people receive acupuncture treatment every year, but the number of complications reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is relatively low. According to two surveys conducted independently of each other and published in the British Medical Journal in 2001, the risk of a serious adverse reaction to acupuncture is less than 1 in 10,000. However, you may risk complications if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking anticoagulants. You can read more about acupuncture and potential side effects here: “Is Acupuncture Safe?”, By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MD https://www.news-medical.net/health/Is-Acupuncture-Safe.aspx