Acupuncture is a tradition of the East Asian medical systems. It has been practiced in Asia for over 2,000 years and has been adapted over the last few hundred years in Europe and the Americas. With acupuncture, sterile, single-use, very fine needles (often as thin as a single hair) are inserted into specific points on the body that are known to alleviate pain and treat various mental and emotional conditions. Nothing is injected into the body when the needles are inserted. There is often minimal or no pain.
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, by stimulating acupuncture points, the flow of energy within the body is harmonized and health can be restored. The primary goal of acupuncture therapy is to restore the body’s balance. Conventional medicine refers to this balance as homeostasis.
Imbalances are common and can occur in one or more body systems. TCM associates these systems with organ names, such as liver, kidney, lung, and pericardium, whereas conventional medicine refers to these as the circulatory, nervous, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems. The mechanism underlying acupuncture’s effects are being explored and potentially include mediating autonomic nervous system signals.
Since acupuncture enhances the body’s natural healing processes, it is known to be used for many conditions. Acupuncture may be given once, several times or more depending on a patient’s condition. By reducing inflammation, promoting healing and enhancing immune response, acupuncture is best known for treating pain. Other examples of conditions that are treated by acupuncture are:
- Shoulder Pain
- Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Digestive Disorders
- Headaches/ Migraines
- Constipation/ Diarrhea
- Neck/ Back Pain
- PMS/ Painful Periods
At the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, our acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine services include:
Acupuncture or Electroacupuncture: Acupuncture uses small needles inserted into specific acupoints on the body to treat various conditions. Electroacupuncture is a variation of acupuncture where a small electrical current is passed between pairs of acupuncture needles, augmenting the use of regular acupuncture. A recent study by the UCI Samueli Institute researchers has shown that repetitive electroacupuncture releases a kind of natural opioid that lowers blood pressure. The results suggest this therapy may be effective in treating clinical hypertension with few, if any, side effects.
Tai Chi: We offer Tai Chi classes taught by Dr. Shin Lin who has expertise in the practice and research underlying health effects of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art practiced for its health benefits and has been called meditation in motion.
Why Choose Us?
Traditional Chinese medicine therapies are an important part of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. We have made acupuncture a focus of our research efforts and have been able to create a targeted approach which yields reliable clinical results.
Bobby Nourani, DO, FAAO
Heather Rice, Dipl. Asc., MSTOM, LAc,
Karen Cocozza MSTOM LAc
Kym Loi, DOAM, LAc
Lifang Xie, PhD, LAc
Mariko Horie, DAOM, L.Ac
Milim Jeon, PhD, MSAOM, LAc
Rachel Rychlock, DIPL.O.M., LAc,
Sheng Li, OMD, LAc
Ye Jin Chang DAOM, LAc