What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 2000 years to treat a variety of diseases based on the "meridian theory" as described in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine.
Acupuncture uses hair-thin disposable needles that are inserted into specific points of the body. Point prescriptions are customized based on the patient needs and the needles are retained anywhere from 20-45 minutes. These needles are stimulated to facilitate qi flow and unblock congested channels to help bring the body back to homeostasis. Acupuncture works primarily through stimulation of sensory nerve fibers that provide signals to the brain (hypothalamus)via the dorsal horn cells of the spinal cord. It then releases neuropeptides, hormones, serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin, autonomic nerve activity that influence visceral function.
What is Needle Fusion?
Traditional Acupuncture Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Dry Needling(DN). Over the years as a practitioner, I have been asked numerous times if I do DN and I said no. This is without even understanding what it entailed exactly. I realized that I probably needed to look into what it was, so I decided to take a course with the best in the business, Sue Falsone. I appreciated the class so much. It speared my interest in taking other classes for further training and learning from other practitioners outside of TCM. Through the western science lens, DN was explained in relation to how the body responds to the insertion of needles. DN is a subset of acupuncture with a modern explanation. In TCM, ashi points” are the equivalent of DN’s “trigger” points. To me, it’s a different language with the same meaning. “Needle Fusion” is the marriage between east and west, using different terminology and getting similar results. In my personal opinion, I believe there is a lot of overlap in the two modalities. I am incorporating my 20 plus years as an acupuncturist valuing TCM techniques and integrating advances in western modern science in what I call “Needle Fusion.”
The take away lesson for me is that when you open your mind and heart to learning, and all that is out there for us, our skills are endless.