Traditional Acupuncture
Traditional Acupuncture
A Patient’s Primer
Larry Tepper, M.S. M.Ac. Licensed Acupuncturist
What is traditional acupuncture?
Traditional acupuncture is a system of healing based on natural laws, which helps restore and maintain physical, emotional, and mental health.
Although relatively new to this country, it has been continuously practiced in China for thousands of years, making it one of the world’s oldest systems of healing. The fundamental principles of acupuncture are to treat the person as a whole, and to diagnose and treat the causes of one’s illness rather than to palliate the symptoms. The person can then heal as much as nature will allow.
How does traditonal acupuncture work?
Acupuncture is based on natural laws which describe the flow of life energy in nature and in the body. This life energy, called ch’i, courses through the body in channels similar to rivers that course over the Earth. When the ch’i in the body is full and flowing, health is promoted. When the ch’i is not full and flowing, the body will send out distress signals in the form of symptoms. Since the natural tendency of our body is to correct an imbalance, we usually recover from illness or emotional hurt and proceed with our lives. However, there are time when the energy gets stuck. At these times some external help is needed. An acupuncturist evaluates the underlying energetic cause of a person’s problem or symptom. This is done by looking at the whole person: the physical body, the mind, the emotions, and the spirit for life. The acupuncturist then attempts to restore balance by inserting fine needles into the body at specific points which have been empirically proven effective in the treatment of specific disorders. These points have been mapped by the Chinese over a period of thousands of years. While acupuncture is widely known to relieve pain, it is also helpful for many conditions in which pain is primary, including a wide variety of chronic conditions. Traditional acupuncture does not separate the mind and the body. Instead, it looks at everything about a person, including lifestyle and stress. When the practitioner is able to find and correct the underlying problem, the symptoms will often disappear because they are no longer necessary. Because each person is unique, many practitioners discourage publishing specific conditons for which acupuncture may be effective. Each person must be evaluated individually. Acupuncture may be helpful whether you have a major health problem or are in good health and are interested in your own peronal growth.
What is the relationship between acupuncture and conventional medical care?
While acupuncture is concerned with the whole person and addresses itself to many levels of functioning, it is also a particular form of treatment with its own limitations. It needs to be used in conjuction with health-promoting attitudes and behavior. In many cases, patients already being cared for by other providers will need to remain in their care. Acupuncture practitioners cooperate with other providers and do not recommend altering medications or other therapies without consulting the personal physician or provider.
Does it hurt?
Many people are worried or fearful about the use of needles. However, the needles used to stimulate acupuncture points have no resemblance to hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles are very slender, barely beyond the thickness of a human hair. The finest quality stainless steel, pre-sterilized, disposable needles are used. In addition, I practice a style of acupuncture known a Toyohari, which utilizes a technique called non-insertion needling. In Toyohari, practitioners are taught to affect the patient’s energy by resting the needle on the surface of the skin and directing their intention down the needle. This technique is highly effective while being absolutely painless.
How soon does one see results?
Factors to consider in term of response include lifestyle, habits, length and severity of problem, and the general state of health. Individual progress needs to be evaluated in terms of what is reasonable for a particular person. In general, one should see some change within 10 to 12 treatments.
What is recommended for those in treatment?
Various changes, subtle or profound, may occur during and after a treatment. All changes will be montiored by your practitioner who is aware of your general progress towards total well-being, as well as the specific improvement of your most important concerns. The progress is different for every individual. To enhance the value of therapy, the following procedures are important: Plan your activities so that you can rest and relax after each treatment (especially the first few). This allows you to gain the maximum benefits from your treatments. Continue prescription medicine exactly as directed by your physician. Be aware of changes in your patterns of functioning (attitudes, emotions, sleep, appetite, levels of energy, etc.) Cultivate respect for your body-mind-spirit, and strive to live in moderation. Treat yourself to adequate mental and physical rest, nutrition, and exercise. Let your thoughts and attitudes reinforce the support each treatment provides. Research has shown that your own mental energy is a meaningful aid to the healing process.
What can I expect when I visit an acupuncturist?
Your initial visit is designed to help your practitioner understand your reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment and to assess the underlying problems leading to your symptoms. This session begins with an interview which includes both your health and personal history and continues with a phyisical examination and consultation. It is conducted in complete confidentiality by your practitioner who will then advise you of the anticipated frequency of treatments. This initial session usually lasts about 2 hours. No needles are used during the first visit. The frequency of subsequent sessions depends on your individual needs. Initially most people are seen weekly in order to create an internal harmony that can be maintained between treatments. As this harmony is achieved, the frequency of visits gradually decreases until visits become seasonal.
How can I find out more about acupuncture?
If you are considering treatment but need more information, you are welcome to schedule an initial consultation with me at no charge. Introductory workshops are also offered upon request. These give people an opportunity to meet me, ask questions, and learn in more depth how acupuncture works.
About my practice:
I have been involved in the holistic health movement since 1981. At that time I moved here in search of a cure for my bouts of chronic depression which had begun shortly after being drafted during the Vietnam War. Prior to coming to Washington, my formal training was in Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science. Using my analytical skills and an eclectic blend of healing modalities, my depressions gradually began to dissipate. As my personal healing progressed, I became hungry to learn as much as I could about holistic healing, not only to help myself, but also so I could help others. I began treating patients in 1989. I have a Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and am licensed by the State of Maryland. Since graduating, I taught for a while at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, Maryland. I have also continued to improve my healing skills by studying other forms of healing. I now treat people using an eclectic blend of acupuncture, Zero Balancing, herbs, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle counseling. Most patients show at least some improvement, and for some, the results are truly spectacular. I work hard to educate and communicate openly with my patients and with other health care professionals. This is important for those people who need coordinated care from several disciplines.
Fees and insurance coverage:
I will gladly discuss charges for diagnostic and follow-up visits. Patients should check with their insurance company to see if reimbursement is possible. To keep administrative cost to a minimum, I request payment at the time of treatment.
Larry Tepper, M.S., M.Ac.
Traditional and Toyohari Acupuncture:
Initial visit- $150
Follow up visits- $80
