Acupuncture in Sherwood Park Michael Goshko, Dr.Ac., B.Sc., M.W.T.A.A., R.M.T., R.Y.T.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a physical medicine with special emphasis on three things:

1. Qi ("chee") = "Vital Air" = "Oxygen"

2. Xue ("Sh-way") = Blood Flow

3. Ying Qi = "Nutrients in the Blood"

Overtime, changes in any of these can lead to disease.

According to Chinese Medicine, the definition of health is highly nutritious and oxygenated bloood coursing through all areas of the body.

What Are "Meridians?"

Meridians are longitudinal lines composed of blood vessels, nerves, fascia, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.

EXAMPLE OF THE "BLADDER MERIDIAN"

Acupuncture ultimately treats the brain

Circuit Breaker Analogy:

House = Body

Circuit Breaker = Brain

Wiring and Electricity = Nervous System

Switches = Acupuncture Points

Light = Blood

By flipping different switches we can turn on various lights in the house.

In other words, we can use acupuncture points along a certain longitudinal line to bring highly nutritious and oxygenated blood which is full of white blood cells, natural anti-inflammatories, and opioids to a diseased area to promote healing.

A local needle affects the brain differently than a distal needle.

Local Needle:

Traditional application of acupuncture
Causes local damage to trigger healing mechanism
Small scale effect on blood flow to diseased area

Distal Needle:

Linked to Neuroscience, areas needled in one area of the body are connected in the brain to another area and often results can be immediate
- E.g. Needling the feet to treat issues in the head or needling the shoulder or elbow to treat the knee
Large scale efffect on blood flow to diseased area

What can Acupuncture Treat?

1) Musculoskeletal Disorders

Pain anywhere in the body

2) Respiratory Disorders

Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD

3) Cardiovascular Disorders

High/low Blood Pressure, Arteriosclerosis

4) Digestive Disorders

Colitis, Diarrhea, Constipation, Nausea

5) Gyencological Disorders

Irregular Menses, PMS, Menopause

6) Pscyhoemotional Disorders

Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Stress

7) Urogenital Disorders

Incontinence, prostate issues, Urgency

8) Neurological Disorders

Stroke, MS, Parkinsons, Bells Palsy

9) Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat Disorders

Headaches, Migraines, Sinusitis, Glaucoma

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin single-use disposable needles through the patient's skin at specific points on the body called acupoints. The patient will be asked to lie down, either face-up, face-down or on his/her side, depending on where the needles are inserted. As each needle is inserted the patient should feel them, but initially without pain. However, when the needle reaches the right depth there should be a deep aching sensation. The needles are generally retained for about 30-60 minutes.

Supplementary techniques may be applied as needed to enhance the theapeutic outcome such as massage, cupping, electroacupuncture, infrared laser ('electro-moxabustion'), stretching, and/or gua sha (skin scraping)