The Benefits of Acupuncture

Holistic Wellness: Let Thy Body Heal Itself

By Jackie Dobrinska

The natural forces within us are the true healers of disease. This is one of many directives given back in the third century BC by Hippocrates, now known as the father of western medicine.

This kernel of wisdom is the foundation of acupuncture, one of the main modalities of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a 2,500-year-old medical system that includes diet, herbs, and a practice of movement and postures known as Qigong. TCM focuses on bringing harmony to the natural forces within. The heart of it lies with qi (pronounced CHEE), our life-force energy.

When qi flows smoothly and freely through the subtle channels, called meridians, we are in a state of health. But if the channels become blocked, the whole system can become imbalanced and illness will show up in our most vulnerable places.

Krystal Kinnunen, owner of Sacred Valley Acupuncture in Asheville, explains it by looking at nature. “Qi is like water flowing freely downstream,” she says. “Illness is analogous to when a beaver dams and blocks its. Acupuncture removes the blocks so the qi can be smooth and harmonious.”

“Acupuncture differs from western medical models,” Krystal continues. “It treats more than symptoms. Typically, a doctor gives a diagnosis and then a prescription. The pills may alleviate the symptom, but often neglect the root cause. Acupuncture sees symptoms simply as clues to a bigger picture. When the cause is uprooted, symptoms will disappear, though it also addresses symptoms during the healing process.”

TCM is also unique in that it treats the whole person, not just the disease. An acupuncturist is trained to focus not just on the pain in one area of your body, but on your whole story, past and present. They know that the whole system is more than just the sum of the parts, and everything—from bone, to blood, to body fluids—works together. Their job is to make minor adjustments that allow the whole system to rebalance and heal.

This means you need to spend more than 15 minutes with your provider. An initial appointment may be 60–90 minutes and, while some people feel great after the first visit, it may take several weeks to notice any change. During an acupuncture session, the practitioner will stimulate specific points on the body by inserting very tiny needles for a period of time. For those who have a needle phobia, points can be stimulated through pressure alone.

Studies show that acupuncture has proven benefits, especially for back, knee, neck, and hip pain. It is also used for allergies, arthritis, digestive issues, emotional conditions like anxiety and depression, fertility issues, and even to help address the side effects of chemotherapy.

A licensed acupuncturist must go through years of rigorous schooling to be able to identify and treat such conditions. Asheville has its own school of acupuncture, as well as many accomplished practitioners. Sacred Valley Acupuncture is just one of these, and others include Asheville Community Acupuncture, Kwan Yin Clinic in Biltmore Village, The People’s Acupuncture, Silver Leaf Natural Medicine, and Maggie Valley Wellness.

Just as we restart our computer when things go a little haywire, an acupuncture treatment can reboot the body, reminding it how to return to its natural state of wholeness.

This article contains general information about medical conditions and complementary treatment, and is not to be considered expert advice. Always consult your physician and other qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment, diet, or fitness regimen. Jackie Dobrinska is a wellness coach and owner of A Simple Vibrant Life (asimplevibrantlife.com). You can reach her at jldobrinska@gmail.com, or by phone at 828.337.2737.