Acupuncture Physician Darlene Carswell, AP, CBP

When most people hear the word acupuncture, they automatically think that it cures pain and addiction… back pain, neck pain, joint pain, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia, headaches, weight loss, and smoking cessation.

It is true that these conditions, and many more, are treated successfully with acupuncture. However, what most people do not understand is that acupuncture is so much more! Stress, heart problems, anxiety, depression, asthma, arthritis, gynecological disorders, low energy levels, emotional trauma, post-op recovery, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep,and poor circulation are merely a few ailments, which respond quite well with a series of acupuncture treatments.

Call or email today for a free consultation!

Darlene Carswell, AP, CBP
6238 Presidential Court, Suite 6
Fort Myers, Florida 33919
Phone: 239.332.HEAL(4325)
Email: Darlene@BalanceForAll.com

Acupuncture is an ancient treatment modality which practitioners of Chinese Medicine use to treat the "root imbalance" of an individual. In doing so, no matter what the symptom or "dis-ease" of the person is, Acupuncture enhances the flow of vital energy, or Qi (pronounced 'chee'). When this vital energy flows without obstruction, the body begins to work at its maximum performance level and the healing process begins.

When you simply treat your symptom, you are doing just that, and relief will be temporary because the root cause of what created the symptom in the first place still exists. And depending on how you treat your symptom, ie; with prescription drugs, you may very well create a whole new array of other symptoms and problems which may end up being worse than your original symptom.

Let’s talk about this mysterious vital energy called qi. Qi flows through pathways called meridians. Each organ has a meridian, which begins running just below the level of the skin, and continues to run through the organs, much like streets, roads, and highways run through the world. Acupuncture points are located on these meridians, and are landmarks of where the qi surfaces, so to speak. In order to have a healthy body, our qi must flow smoothly through our meridians. When qi becomes stagnated, deficient, or excessive, organs are not properly nourished, thus allowing pain and disease to set in.

Think of qi running through meridians as though it is water running through a garden hose. When there is a kink in the hose, the water ceases to come out of the end of the hose, and the flowers in your garden will not receive their water, and eventually they will die. If you discover the kink in the hose and eliminate it, the water will flow to nourish the flowers, and they will grow and blossom. Of course qi flow is much more complicated than water running through a hose, but I think you get the idea.

It is important to know that we unconsciously block our qi flow through our emotions. It is completely natural to experience all emotions, however, prolonged excessiveness of the emotions is harmful to our organ system, and ultimately, to our health. Anger lives in the liver and gallbladder; Excitement and sadness lives in the heart and small intestine; Worry lives in the spleen and stomach; Grief lives in the lungs and large intestine; Fear lives in the kidneys and urinary bladder.

Qi flow can also be harmed or obstructed by physical trauma; a fall, injuries sustained in a car accident, surgery, physical abuse, etc. Regardless of how qi is blocked, it is important to get it flowing as soon as possible so that our body can do all it has to do in order to sustain a healthy existance.

This is where acupuncture comes in. Qi is a bioelectrical energy, and metal is a conductor of that energy. Acupuncture needles are wisker-thin solid devices, which are inserted into specific acupuncture points to move the qi flow. The general population either hates needles, or is terrified by them. But not to worry~ in most cases, unless you actually look at the acupuncture needles, you won’t even know they are there. Typical sensations (if a sensation is felt at all) are a mild aching or itching, or an electrical sensation, which is very short in duration. The needles are retained for an average of ten to forty minutes, depending on your condition. At the end of the treatment, some people report that they feel light, as though a tremendous weight has been lifted from them. Others report feeling balanced, while yet others report a feeling of euphoria.

The number of treatments you will need depends on your overall state of health and how chronic your condition is. When you first begin, you should receive two treatments a week until you have taken eight to twelve treatments. Naturally, some people respond sooner and better than others, and unfortunately, some will not respond at all. Another strange phenomena that may occur is that you may seek acupuncture treatment for back pain. However, you may also have headaches, insomnia and acid reflux. You may find that your secondary symptoms disappear before your back pain. Do not judge this. Your body has an intelligence of its own that will respond in a way that knows what is best. For example, if you have insomnia, how can the body heal the pain in the back without proper rest?

When you choose an Acupuncturist, make sure that they are licensed in your state! State Board Licensed Acupuncture Physicians, Certified Acupuncturists, or Doctors of Oriental Medicine have taken a minimum of three years of study in an approved school of Chinese Medicine. They have studied the history, philosophy, syndromes, and points far more extensively than people who are in other professions using cookbook remedies.

Most Acupuncturists offer free consultations. So if you have a problem that has not responded well by going to medical doctors, do yourself a favor... Try Acupuncture! Feel the peace! It may be the best thing you have ever done for yourself!