What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a Chinese Medicine therapy that works over a course of treatments. Acupuncture is over 2500 years old and is rooted in thousands of years of studies and experiential knowledge. During an Acupuncture treatment, fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body. These points are actual nodal points that active the human bodies various systems, such as, nervous, musculoskeletal, digestive, endocrine, etc, The insertion of these very fine needles allows the body to "unblock" stagnant areas, which in turn allows the body to begin to heal itself with fresh oxygen and nutrients delivered through the blood system.
A good analogy is one of a water hose. A blockage in the hose and water will not be delivered to the plant. Same goes for too much water and the hose may burst. However, if you unkink the hose and turn the volume of water to the correct output on a regular basis, you will have a healthy plant that does not wither, but produces abundant flowers, fruit, and is beautiful. The human body is much the same. Get rid of those kinks and blockages, give a steady flow of nutrients and blood flow and the human body will become healthy and flourish. This is what Acupuncture does for you.
Most patients report feeling better right away upon needle insertion, with significant reduction in pain lasting upwards from an hour to a couple of days. Like any therapy, multiple treatments are necessary for all health problems.
Balance Method Acupuncture
At Sherrell Acupuncture, we utilize a unique system of Acupuncture called Balance Method Acupuncture. Here are some of the benefits of using this system:
A Western Approach
Our modern day society can be extremely stressful. Most people are constantly on the go, the body and mind remaining in a constant state of fight or flight. Acupuncture will help you regulate those extremes and allow your body to maintain a state of Balance. There are two states the nervous system can be in, sympathetic or parasympathetic.
Sympathetic Nervous System(Fight or Flight): This state is very useful for emergency situations, like lifting a car or running really fast. Done for a short period of time it is very beneficial to us. However, done over long periods of time, it can drain the adrenal glands causing premature aging, insomnia, and major health issues.
Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest & Digest): This state is the one the Shaolin Monks are in most of the time. Very relaxed and aware. Not sleep. This state is very useful for everyday activities, such as digesting your food, breathing, peaceful rest, etc. Is has been described as feeling content and at peace with one's self. This is the state we should be in most of the time, however, due to modern day society, we are not.
Acupuncture regulates the body's Parasympathetic Nervous System allowing you to relax. Acupuncture puts us into a relaxed state. It takes us from the fight or flight mode where the body's energy is aimed at putting all of the blood and awareness to the skeletal muscles; into a state of rest & digest system where the body's blood and energy are aimed at regulating the organs of the body, lowering blood pressure, regulating breathing, and aiding in digestion. Studies have shown that Acupuncture affects the Hypothalamus portion of the Brain. The Hypothalamus controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian cycles, just to name a few.
Training & Credentials
Most Acupuncturists are trained to perform all of the subsets of Chinese Medicine, with the exception of Chinese Herbs, which is a specialized training unto itself. Chinese Medicine training is 4 years of graduate level schooling (Masters degree level or higher). After schooling Acupuncturists take National Board Exams (4 seperate exams for Acupuncture and 1 exam for Chinese Herbs). Each state then Licenses the Acupuncturist. In the State of Colorado Acupuncturists are titled, Licensed Acupuncturist.
Eric Sherrell received his pre-medical training from Virginia Tech and attended Southwest Acupuncture College, a prestigious Acupuncture College. He is a Licensed Acupuncturist in both Colorado and Virginia. Eric is active in research for the advancement of the acupuncture profession. Through this research, he is able to provide his patients with the most advanced services available in acupuncture today.
What does Acupuncture Treat?
Acupuncture Treats many diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has mandated that Acupuncture is a successful method of treatment for many diseases. Studies of Acupuncture on its effectiveness in treating & prevention of many diseases have led many Western trained physicians to become interested in this Ancient Medicine. Discover for yourself, just how well this Medicine works, by booking your appointment now.
Call our office to find out more about Acupuncture. (303) 669-2949
