You glance down at your body, small quills poking out of your skin, in a mysterious “connect-the-dot” pattern that you can’t quite figure out. These quills, or fillform needles as they are technically referred to in the practice, are somehow magically working to “balance” you, while all you do is lay there and remain still. Acupuncture is uncharted territory for some, and for others it’s a way of life. As the Charlotte area continues to grow, so do the number of acupuncturists who practice here, and maybe it’s time to take a closer look at this ancient practice that made it all this way from China over thousands and thousands of years.
For millennia, acupuncture has been used in eastern healing approaches to encourage the balance of energy, which is what is perceived in eastern medicine to be the path to true health. It is balancing this energy, known as Qi (“chee”), that is paramount to understanding the practice of acupuncture itself: using the needles along specific points on the body, an acupuncturist can help facilitate the free flow of Qi, removing blockages that cause the body to experience illness. By allowing Qi to be balanced and flowing, the body can heal: nourishment is able to reach the cells and all the organs and tissues of the body.
How do acupuncturists know where the energy is blocked? It’s not so simple really, and that’s why it takes acupuncturists three to four years to complete certification. Acupuncturists have a very thorough process of evaluating clients to determine Qi imbalance known as pattern diagnosis, and it’s not as simple as interpreting the numbers on lab work. Understanding someone’s Qi imbalance requires knowing more about their mood, lifestyle, symptoms, and history – a very thorough undertaking indeed. You may have even heard of acupuncturists looking at the tongue for indications, or feeling the strength of the pulse, both ancient tenets of this practice that have a long-lasting track record of accuracy.
Acupuncturists garner all the clues from the initial evaluation to devise the most effective approach to treating the individual. There are several lines on the body identified in ancient eastern medicine that serve as channels for Qi, up and down which that energy flows. These lines are called meridians and each meridian is associated with different organs of the body. Along these meridians are specific points where energy accumulates. Even in modern-day CT scans, science has confirmed clusters of microvessels where ancient medicine says these points lie, and these points are what are used to determine where to insert the needles. There are over 2,000 points in the human body and their purposes are varied, ranging over an extremely wide scope from lowering blood pressure to reducing pain to stimulating fertility.
As for the needles themselves, there is a bit of controversy around this practice due to some individuals’ perceived fear of needles. The needles are inserted gently and compare to the width of a strand of hair – it is not at all like having a shot or getting a tattoo. The hair-sized needles are tapped with care into the specific points on the skin and remain in place for anywhere between 10 – 30 minutes. There may be a tingling sensation associated with insertion of the needles, and oftentimes there is a sense of relaxation. After the needles are inserted, the Qi begins to move freely again throughout the meridians and balance stands a chance of being restored. The number of sessions one will need to resolve specific issues relies on the extent of the imbalance.
You can use acupuncture for almost any ailment imaginable. Common treatments include migraine, chronic pain, hormone imbalance, high blood pressure, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, poor sleep, arthritis, acute injuries, nausea, allergies, hot flashes, constipation, breathing disorders, and irregular periods. Because acupuncture addresses the whole body’s balance, there’s almost no issue that can’t be helped by it. There are acupuncturists who specialize in certain areas of balance, such as fertility and chronic pain, as well as relaxation
If you’re looking for a gentle, all natural, and effective way to address anything on your healing journey, acupuncture may be the missing piece. The following are just a few of the reputable acupuncturists in the Lake Norman area who can help you find answers to the mysteries of your health:
Balanced Health Acupuncture
20605 N Main St
Cornelius, NC 28031
(980) 349-8947
Acupuncture Center for Balance & Healing
560 Davidson Gateway Dr
#200
Davidson, NC 28036
(704) 896-0217
Acupuncture Jo
560 Davidson Gateway Dr
#200
Davidson, NC 28036
(305) 572-5834
NC Acupuncture and Wellness Clinic
16507 Northcross Dr Ste D
Huntersville, NC 28078
(980) 229-3206
Roots of Harmony Holistic Medicine
500 S Main St Suite 113
Mooresville, NC 28115
(704) 802-9188
About the Author:
As a thermographer, Danielle Benham utilizes the highest quality infrared thermal camera in Charlotte for the most reliable medical thermographic images in conjunction with effective functional nutrition counseling to guide people holistically on their journey to whole-body health.
As a Rock Hill, SC, native, Danielle prides herself on being “a local.” Aside from her passion for health, she loves her role as a boy-mom, and enjoys spending free time inline skating, and plays percussion for a local wind symphony.
Danielle Frain Benham
Full Spectrum Health & Wellness
www.fullspectrumhealthandwellness.com
About the Publisher:
Jeff Hamm is the creator and producer of The Best of LKN. He’s a local real estate agent and digital marketing professional.
When he isn’t working, you can usually find Jeff boating, running & cycling local greenways, and taking walks with his dogs Sam and Maisy.
Jeff Hamm
Allen Tate Realtors®
Lake Norman
www.LKNreal.com
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