by Dr. Sharon L. Fitelson
One can benefit from the wisdom of the ages with Acupuncture treatments and blend it with the innovation of the 21st century diagnostics at the same time. Dr. Fitelson is highly trained, being a diplomat of the National Council of Chinese and Oriental Medicine and Chiropractic Council of Acupuncture as well as being in practice for 33 years now.
How does Acupuncture work? There are many frequently asked questions about acupuncture that Western medicine cannot explain.
Traditional acupuncture is based on the theory of the flow of Qi (energy) and Xue (blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body likes nerves and vessels do. Acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is excess. Also if yin and yang are imbalanced then Qi cannot flow. The goal of acupuncture is to restore harmonious energetic balance of the body, and not just treat the symptoms.
How are the imbalances determined? Chinese medicine practitioners diagnose by employing four basic examinations. The first is questioning and taking a complete history. The second is visual inspection especially of the tongue and its coating. The third is listening to one’s voice and breathing. The fourth is palpating the pulses at both wrists. Dr Fitelson also employs a modern state of the art electronic graphing device that prints out a picture of the energy in 7 different colorful graphs complete with herbal and dietary recommendations.
Acupuncture is about lifestyle and so diet, emotions, exercise and meditation and herbology are all a part of the discipline and not just stimulating points. Moving energy can be done with sterile needles, laser, electric stimulation, acupressure, tui na and shiatsu massage depending on the patient, their health and the condition.
Any condition of the body that is imbalanced can be treated by acupuncture. Often treated are; Immune system dysfunction such as allergies, sinusitis, colds, flu and autoimmune disorders; digestive problems such as hiatal hernia, reflux, GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhea; women’s health issues such as infertility, meno-pausal symptoms, endometriosis and pms; pain of all types such as back and neck, sports injuries, headache and fibromyalgia.
Difficult cases are always welcome. Once a condition is successfully treated often patients come back for a “tune up” with the change of seasons.
Dr. Sharon L. Fitelson can be reached at InMotion Health Center, 7800 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63117. 314-644-2081. www.imhc.com.