In today’s modern world, technology and innovation made life so hectic that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with everything. Looking back at the times when life was so much simpler, we bring thousands of years of holistic practice and medical knowledge to help us slow things down and become more present in the moment and in our physical body. Acupuncture, an ancient holistic practice, is one of the aids we can apply to today’s world, specifically as a medical asset.

Dr. Ken Grey, A.P., D.O.M., a licensed acupuncturist and founder of the revolutionary VellHelath app, shares his story of bringing acupuncture to Jupiter Medical Center to help cancer patients with compromised immune systems manage their symptoms and speed up recovery time. Acupuncture is especially beneficial to patients who are allergic to pain medicine and anesthesia. By combining acupuncture with traditional anesthesia during a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction surgical procedures, Dr. Grey made a significant impact on reducing post-surgical pain, inflammation, and anxiety associated with this life-changing procedure. 

Patients who suffered from post-operational discomfort have seen significantly shorter recovery times when acupuncture was introduced during surgery. Western doctors who advocate acupuncture in the operating room believe it stimulates natural chemicals such as endorphins that are responsible for blocking pain signals and helping patients cope with discomfort. 

Acupuncture, when done professionally,  is considered a safe and painless procedure. A licensed acupuncture doctor inserts very thin disposable sterile needles into the energy points of the body to realign the flow of the patient’s life force which is understood to play a crucial role in our health and wellbeing. 

Here is what you should look for in your first acupuncture session. A licensed acupuncturist:

• Examines you and asks questions about your health history
• Searches for blocked energy and identifies your constitutional pattern by taking your pulse, examining your tongue, and looking at your skin and eyes
• Detects established energy landmarks to determine the points of insertion
• Quickly taps the needles into your skin. You may feel a light pressure but most feel no pain. The area may tingle, feel numb, itch, or be a little sore.

Each treatment session will last from 15 minutes to one hour and you may need 5-10 treatments to reach optimal results. Each treatment is usually individualized and most patients with the same symptoms often don’t get the same treatment.

Sometimes over-the-counter pain medications are a good option to immediately eliminate the pain but we also must understand that by suppressing pain we also suppress our immune system which may result in unfavorable long-term effects. As we believe that all disease is linked to blocked energy and blood flow, removing blockages is the ultimate purpose of acupuncture. In Western medicine, pain is considered an enemy. Ancient Eastern practices see pain as an indicator that points at energy blocks and gives us possible clues about how to remove the root cause of the problem. 

Studies have shown that acupuncture is suitable for a wide variety of conditions ranging from simple headaches and lower back pain to more serious ailments like cancer. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture as an integrated approach to your health, we are here to help!