About Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of a system of medicine which originated in China more than 3000 years ago. It’s origin comes from the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a paradigm unlike that used in Western medicine. Acupuncturists refer to the foundational concept of "Qi" (pronounced chee), which can be loosely translated as energy and its effects on physiological function and health. The underlying goal of acupuncture is the creation or restoration of harmony within the individual and between the individual and the environment. The goal of acupuncture is to control symptoms and restore strength and resilience in your body.

How does Acupuncture Work?
Many theories abound. Scientists in the West theorize that the insertion of small needles into very specific sites stimulate the release of endorphins (pain controlling hormones produced by your body). While this may explain the pain management capabilities of acupuncture, it does not explain acupuncture’s success in the treatment of allergies, asthma, chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndromes, chemical addiction or other conditions where pain is not the predominant feature. Eastern forms of medicine believe healing is more important than understanding it’s mechanisms.

What type conditions are suited for acupuncture?
The World Health Organization published a position statement concerning clinical conditions that have demonstrated a positive response to acupuncture. The following conditions were found amenable to treatment with acupuncture:

Are there other conditions that respond to acupuncture?
Yes, the list above are conditions that have a higher incidence of successful management through acupuncture. Acupuncture itself is used for many more conditions and when coupled with other forms of traditional Chinese medical treatment expands the list even further. If you are at all uncertain attend one of our orientation lectures free of charge.

Is acupuncture regulated?
Yes, acupuncture has become widely recognized with more than 30 states allowing the legal practice of acupuncture. An additional 14 states are working on legislation to license and regulate the practice of acupuncture. All of our acupuncturists are licensed by the State of Illinois.

Does it hurt?
Not at all. Acupuncture needles are so thin that they pass through the skin without damaging the skin cells. Because of this there is virtually no pain associated with acupuncture.

Are needles sterilized?
We use only prepackaged factory sterile products. Needles are sterile but never sterilized meaning we never reuse needles. All patients are treated with individually packaged, disposable needles which are used only once.

Why First Health?
We hire only the brightest and best doctors and therapists. Dr. Yu Zhu, OMD (M.D. China) will head our new Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department. Dr. Zhu received her OMD degree in 1983 from Gansu College in Gansu, China, where for eight years after graduation she also served as an associate professor and department director. In 1986 she completed her Masters Degree program in TCM at Shanghai University. Over the last 24 years she has taught TCM in China, Sweden, Israel and the U.S. She later served as director of the TCM unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel. During her illustrious career she has co-authored 5 books and published over 18 papers on TCM. First Health is proud to offer her services to all our patients.