what is acupuncture?

Acupuncture originated over 2,000 years ago in China and is now used by millions of Americans annually. Acupuncture is recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and World Health Organization (WHO) as a safe, natural and drug-free way to address a wide range of illnesses.

A partial list of illnesses treated by Dr. Koh include:

Traditional Eastern medicine believes that inside our bodies are “Meridians Meridians are pathways that allow the flow of energy known as “qi” (pronounced “chee"). Qi is the energy force that contains the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical elements of life and is comprised of the Taoist notions of yin and yang. Qi can be blocked due to trauma, poor diet, medications, stress, hereditary conditions, environmental factors, or excessive emotional issues. When qi cannot flow, the meridians are blocked. Yin and yang become unbalanced and illness is a result.

Acupuncture is the insertion of tiny needles into the points where the meridians lie the closest to the surface of the skin. There are over 1,000 acupuncture points. Through acupuncture the meridians are unblocked and qi can flow steadily throughout the body.

Think of your body as a city. This city has freeways that run through it that get us to where we want to go. Now imagine a breakdown. When this car gets stuck on the freeway it cannot move and it also stops other people from getting to where they are trying to go. People get angry, frustrated, run late to appointments and may miss out on seeing family members. The immobility of one car creates a huge traffic jam that upsets the entire city.  Now think about what happens when roadside service vehicle comes and moves the car off the road. The flow of traffic goes back to normal and others are no longer affected by the broken down car. Traditional Eastern Medicine views the health of our bodies in a similar way.

Think of the needles used in acupuncture as the roadside service vehicle that comes and clears the freeway (meridian) for the cars (qi) to pass.

Many people avoid acupuncture due to preconceived notions that there will be pain involved. Many people imagine that they are going to lie down on a table and have hundreds of needles inserted in their bodies at a time. This is not the case.  Dr Koh will ask you about your medical history, evaluate your whole body and check your tongue and pulse. The treatment you receive will be based upon an Eastern medical diagnosis and acupuncture points will be chosen accordingly. Some ailments can be treated with as many as one needle a treatment that are manipulated by hand or electrical stimulation. At the time the needle is inserted, some may feel soreness or slight pain. Others may feel nothing. The feeling of needle insertion feels like someone flicking your skin. You may also feel tingling or electrical sensations around the needle.  Some people are more sensitive than others to acupuncture but for most it is a very relaxing experience with many people even falling asleep during treatment.