Acupuncture in Lakeville MN

Are you looking for acupuncture in Lakeville MN? Can you imagine how effective a health care discipline must be to stand the test of time for hundreds of generations? With a large portion of the media and research focusing their attention on the newest surgeries and medications, valuable and essential forms of health care are being forgotten. With acupuncture being practiced as a medical system for over 2400 years, its safety and effectiveness have been proven time and time again. While acupuncture alone has been shown to be the best line of treatment for many conditions, it can also be incorporated into various treatment plans to increase results and decrease treatment time. Turning Leaf Chiropractic would like to use this short article to provide you with some basic information about acupuncture and to see if you could be one of the millions of people to benefit from its application.

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Understanding Acupuncture in Lakeville MN

As mentioned earlier, acupuncture has been practiced as a system of medicine for over 2400 years, but its philosophy and roots predate recorded history. In fact, it is believed that acupuncture was first performed using needles that were actually formed from grinding stones into fine points. As time progressed, the first text describing acupuncture as a system of medicine was produced around 300 B.C. (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). Soon after its introduction, finely crafted metal needles replaced the stone variety and it has been recorded that royalty routinely used gold and silver needles. While this original text has been revised, edited, and added to for thousands of years, it still serves as the foundation for the contemporary medical system. Today, acupuncture has been incorporated into many western paradigms and is practiced in hospitals and private health care clinics across the world.

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How does Acupuncture work?

With all the toxins present in our various environments, it is important that our bodies are well suited to interact and deal with each challenge that we face. While traditional and western explanations of acupuncture vary, each fundamentally deals with acclimating our body to our surroundings. After thousands of years of research, various points across the body have been located that have a significant impact on our body's overall physiology. Typically, depending on the desired end result, fine needles are meticulously positioned at these points to stimulate various aspects of our hormonal, immune, and endocrine systems. Once these systems have been stimulated, a number of neurotransmitters, natural pain killers, and hormones are released. Patients at our Turning Leaf Chiropractic have described the following effects following acupuncture treatments:

• Decreases in muscles spasms and pain
• Decrease in swelling at various points across the body
• A general decrease in pain
• A decrease in illnesses due to stimulation of the immune system
• Lower levels of back and neck pain
• Fewer headaches
• Improved digestion
• Overall better sleep
• Fewer injuries during recreational sports
• Females report fewer gynecological issues

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What should I expect during my acupuncture treatment?

The first thing to understand prior to an acupuncture session is that the needles used are much different than those that you would typically encounter at a hospital. They differ in that they are hair thin, smooth and solid rather than hallow, hence they are referred to as “dry.” Most patients describe their acupuncture treatment as a calm and relaxing experience. In fact, some patients report feeling little to nothing at all.

On your first visit to our clinic in Lakeville MN, Dr. Marie will begin with an evaluation and consultation to gather a health history and understanding of your current health concerns. Dr. Marie will then analyze the information gathered and develop an individualized treatment plan.
During the acupuncture treatment session fine, sterile, single use only needles will be inserted at specific anatomical locations. You will then lay and rest with the needles in place for approximately 30 minutes. The total visit typically lasts around 50 minutes.

As with many conditions, the treatment effect will vary depending on the severity of the problem and how long symptoms have been present. Many patients report feeling immediate relief, while others describe noticing changes up to two days following treatment. The healing effects of acupuncture are cumulative. As you progress through the stages of treatment relief from symptoms and healing benefits will be compounded. It will be important to monitor your response to treatment and communicate this with your provider so your treatment plan can be adjusted as needed.

While side effects are minimal, some patients have reported transient dizziness and nausea during their initial treatment. It is important to eat 1-2 hours before acupuncture to avoid this and to stay hydrated. Other possible side effects include bruising, minor muscle soreness in the affected area and fatigue. If this occurs, these effects are temporary, but it is important to notify your provider prior to your next visit.

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ADDITIONAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

If you would like to learn more about acupuncture in Lakeville MN or see if you could benefit from its incorporation into your current care, please contact our team at Turning Leaf Chiropractic today for help.