Acupuncture is a therapy developed by the ancient Chinese that consists of stimulating designated points on the skin by the insertion of needles, application of heat (moxibustion), massage (finger pressure) or a combination of these modalities. Acupuncture is part of the overall system of Oriental Medicine, healing and/or care and is based on an awareness of the connected energy network of all things in the universe.

According to Chinese medical tradition there is a network of energy that flows through the body and connects surface locations or "points" by way of different "channels," also called "meridians." These channels are related to specific internal functions and are identified with anatomic units, such as heart, liver or lung. These channels all form a network, which has circulating energy, called "Qi," (pronounced Chi) that moves like an electric current. As long as the energy circulation has the appropriate strength and balance, and the flow is not blocked, healthy functioning of the body continues. Disease creates an imbalance in the system so that the "signals" are either too weak, too strong, blocked, crossed, or not moving in the proper pathway.

Oriental Medicine effectively treats many ailments, but it is important to recognize that as we approach death, our body loses the ability to restore or maintain balance. There simply is not enough energy remaining for all bodily functions. Therefore, rather than cure, our goal is to bring as much comfort as possible to our patients, in whatever way is most important to them.

Frequently encountered complaints toward the end of life are pain (especially chronic), digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, decreased appetite), mental and emotional distress, sleep disorders, shortness of breath, neurological problems (stroke, diabetes), circulatory problems, and skin breakdown. Although it may not be possible to eliminate symptoms for a given patient, acupuncture, massage, and other techniques of Oriental Medicine often reduce symptoms enough to give welcome relief.

The following are good introductory books on Oriental Medicine:

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicine, by Tom Williams

Between heaven and Earth, by Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold

The Web That Has No Weaver, by Ted Kapchuk

If you have additional questions, or would like to discuss a particular case of yours, please feel free to contact me at my office:

Steven Foster-Wexler
Alpine Acupuncture, LLC
628 NW York Drive, Suite 104
Bend, OR 97701
(541) 330-8283

AlpineAcupuncture@earthlink.net
www.BendAcupuncture.com