What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a health science that is used to treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. 

Where Did Acupuncture Begin?

Acupuncture began in China about 5,000 to 7,000 years ago.  Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later in Western Europe.  As merchants and missionaries returned to Western Europe from China, they told of the amazing results they had seen and received through the use of acupuncture.

Acupuncture was not introduced in the United States until the 1970’s, after improved relations between China and the U.S. resulted in increased trade and exchange of education and information between the countries.

How Does It Work?

There is a two-way communication between the skin and all organs, glands, and tissues of the body.  By stimulating specific points on the skin, called acupoints, the patient can be brought back to health by controlling or eliminating pain, and restoring normal function.

According to the basic premise of acupuncture, the energy of the human body flows along major channels, called meridians.  There are twelve basic meridians used in acupuncture, which are balanced when the body is functioning normally.  If the flow of energy is blocked or altered along one or more meridians, pain or dysfunction, or both, result.  A normal flow of energy, and balance, is restored by properly stimulating specific acupoints.

What Methods Are Used?

The method which most commonly comes to mind when we hear the word “acupuncture”, is stimulation by needles.  Although needle stimulation is an effective method, other techniques are used with equally good results.  In health care, people usually associate needles with pain.  The insertion of acupuncture needles into the skin is almost always a painless procedure.  This is because of the extremely small size of the needles used.  Five acupuncture needles would fit inside the opening of a hypodermic syringe, which is the smallest needle used in medicine.  A variety of stimulation methods can be applied to the acupoints to achieve effective results.                                             

Teishein:  A dull, non-piercing needle.

Electro-Acupuncture: The acupoint is stimulated by a small electrical impulse, either manually through a piezo, or by battery-powered point stimulators.

For more intense treatment which requires home care for some conditions, an acu-patch may be applied to the patient’s ear or other acupoint, and worn 24 hours a day until it is removed by the doctor after an appropriate period of time.

What Conditions Are Commonly Treated?

Acupuncture is used to successfully treat many of the same conditions which traditional chiropractic treats:

 When Is Acupuncture Recommended?

At the Doctor’s discretion and in discussion with the patient, acupuncture would be recommended as the treatment of choice for a particular condition for a specific patient.  Acupuncture may be used as the only treatment, or in combination with spinal or extremity manipulation, or with other physiotherapy modalities such as electromuscle stimulation.

For example, a patient who continues to have neck pain after surgery, would not be a candidate for any spinal manipulation.  However, acupuncture may be an excellent method of pain control for the patient in this case.

Acupuncture can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or in combination with chiropractic adjustments, therapy, massage, nutrition, or traditional medical care.  You and your doctor will mutually determine the right treatment for your condition.

Acupuncture’s History in Nebraska.

There are legal precedents dating as far back as 1975 in Nebraska in which Doctors of Medicine were allowed to use acupuncture as part of their scope of practice, and no additional training or certification was required.  However, we are not aware of any Medical Physicians in Nebraska who were using acupuncture until recent years.  Patients in our practice who desired to use acupuncture were routinely referred to Kansas, Iowa or Missouri.

In 1999, the Nebraska Attorney General ruled that acupuncture is also included as part of the scope of practice for Doctors of Chiropractic, with no requirements for special training.

In September 2001, Licensed Acupuncturists were allowed to practice in Nebraska, independent of Doctors of Medicine, Chiropractic, or Osteopathy.  According to Nebraska statute, a medical or osteopathic physician allows the acupuncturist to treat a patient only after referral or diagnosis.

What is Dr. Vander Broek’s Training?

Dr. Vander Broek has attended educational seminars on acupuncture through the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture (IAMA) and the Acupuncture Society of America (ASA).  He has received his acupuncture certification from the ASA, and has been conferred the degree of FASA (Fellow of the Acupuncture Society of America).  The educational seminars included specific hours spent in lecture, study, hands-on training, and concluded with practical and written examinations to ensure the desired level of understanding and expertise has been achieved.  Written and hands-on instruction in clean needle techniques were also provided and tested.

How Many Treatments Are Typical?

As in any health care regimen, the number of treatments varies with each individual and different condition.  Long-term problems usually require more care than acute conditions.

Researchers internationally agree the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen.  The usual frequency is between two to four times per week.   If a series of recommended acupuncture treatment is begun and the patient gets good results faster than expected, the doctor may elect to discontinue or alter the treatment schedule.

Patients should not seek acupuncture treatment with the idea that they want to just “try” one to three treatments.  This approach usually results in a waste of time and money for the patient.

What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

As in any treatment, it must first be determined whether you have a health problem that may be helped with acupuncture, and if you are a good candidate for acupuncture.  Dr. Vander Broek will review your case history with you, and any necessary examination will be completed to determine what your problem is, whether acupuncture is advisable for you, and how much treatment could be expected.  If it is determined that you have a problem which will most likely respond favorably to acupuncture, you would be accepted as a patient.