Acupuncture in Hayward, CA

The Function Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Hayward, CA, is dedicated to bringing you the very latest in chiropractic treatments as well as many other proven and effective natural health care therapies. One of our most popular alternative healthcare treatments has been our traditional Chinese acupuncture services. There’s a very good reason that acupuncture in Hayward is one of the most asked-for services by our clients and that’s simply because it works. Acupuncture is one of the most ancient health and wellness disciplines and has been known for centuries to deliver almost magical healing results.

All of the acupuncturists we have on staff at our clinic in Hayward have been well-trained and have extensive experience in applying precise and effective acupuncture techniques to treat a wide variety of physical disorders and chronic ailments. As with all of the treatments and therapies we offer our patients as your local chiropractor in Hayward, acupuncture is intended to reduce chronic pain and discomfort, relieve stress and tension, and increase function and mobility in those suffering from disabling injuries, disorders, and conditions.

Chiropractic and natural holistic health care disciplines offer an alternative to the common allopathic approach most doctors ascribe to, which usually involves highly-addictive pain medications and risky surgical procedures that too often don’t solve the problem and can often make things worse. Natural medicine, including chiropractic and acupuncture, is non-invasive and completely safe, using the human body’s own ability to heal itself when its systems have been restored to the proper balance and equilibrium. It is based on ages old principles and philosophies that have too often been ignored by modern medicine.

At The Function Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Hayward, CA, we are dedicated to providing you with the natural solutions you need to put you back on the road to recovery and good health. Our doctors and health practitioners can help to alleviate the pain in your life, soothe the stress and tension you’ve been feeling, and give you back the freedom of movement to do the things you enjoy. We can give you back your normal, healthy, happy life.

Acupuncture in Hayward, CA

The History Of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been in use for many centuries and has slowly spread around the world and today is being practiced in virtually every country. It is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of long, thin, and very sharp needles into specific points on a patient’s body to treat a wide variety of disorders and ailments. The practice of acupuncture has been around for over 2,000 years and has been adopted by many different cultures because of its usefulness and effectiveness.

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The earliest written records of acupuncture that have been discovered date back to approximately 100 BCE, during the period of the Han Dynasty in China. Acupuncture was originally used to treat a variety of ailments such as headaches, digestive issues, and pain and it is still used for the same purposes today. According to local legend, the discovery of acupuncture was made by a Chinese soldier who noticed that his wounds healed faster when they were pierced by arrows.

The earliest forms of acupuncture in China involved its practitioners using sharp stones, shells, and bones to stimulate the energy points of the body’s life force pathways. Eventually, specialized metal needles were developed and the practice evolved and became more complex and refined. The practice of acupuncture was originally based on the even older theory of Qi, a life force energy that flows through the body through specific pathways, called meridians by an acupuncturist. The goal of acupuncture was then and still is, to balance the flow of Qi to restore equilibrium and thus the health and harmony of the various systems of the body.

As Chinese trade routes expanded throughout Asia, the traders brought the practice of acupuncture along with them. Within just a few centuries, acupuncture had spread to Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, where it was modified and adapted to fit in with the local culture and their particular beliefs. In Japan, acupuncture was combined with herbal medicine to create a form of treatment known as Kampo, which is also still practiced by natural health doctors today.

Acupuncture first started to get attention in the West in the 17th century when Dutch traders brought the practice to Europe, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that acupuncture began to be truly accepted in the West.

In the 1970s, acupuncture started to gain popularity in the U.S. when President Nixon made his famous visit to China. During the trip, Nixon watched a patient undergoing acupuncture treatment and was impressed by its seeming effectiveness. This first endorsement eventually led to the opening of acupuncture clinics in the United States and the founding of the National Acupuncture Association in 1972.

Since then, acupuncture has become a widely accepted form of alternative medicine in America and today there are thousands of licensed acupuncturists in the United States who use acupuncture to treat a wide range of ailments. Acupuncture is often used in conjunction with chiropractic and other forms of traditional medicine, such as herbal remedies and massage therapy, to treat a variety of conditions as we do at our clinic in Hayward, California. As our patients will attest, acupuncture works as well today as it did in ancient China.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

How Does Acupuncture Work?

As mentioned above, the techniques used in acupuncture are based on the ancient philosophy and belief in a physical energy or life force, called Qi or sometimes Chi, that flows through and animates all living things, humans, plants, and animals alike. The life energy force constantly travels throughout the physical structure through specific pathways commonly called meridians by acupuncturists. When the flow of energy becomes unbalanced or misdirected from its proper course in some way, usually due to disease or because of an injury, the result can often be physical illness and/or mental disorders. Just about any ailment or physical disorder can be traced to an imbalance in the flow of Qi. This same principle is in part why the spinal adjustments performed by chiropractors work so well, although there are other factors involved in that therapy. The breakthrough in ancient times was when someone realized that the flow of life energy could be influenced and altered to correct the imbalance by stimulating the flow of Qi at specific areas of the body called meridian points

Acupuncture practitioners, including our acupuncturists in Hayward, accomplish this by inserting long, thin needles just underneath the skin at these key meridian points to redirect the flow. They stimulate these points in a certain order depending on the area of the body that is suffering from the symptoms of a disorder, or to treat a specific type of ailment. A trained acupuncture therapist can very subtly and precisely control the flow to bring about the desired response.In the hands of a skilled practitioner, the acupuncture procedure is virtually painless and is actually very calming and relaxing. This is because the stimulation of certain meridian points also affects specific synapses and neurotransmitters in the brain during the session, temporarily altering the perception of pain. Our patients at The Function Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Hayward report an almost immediate lessening of their symptoms after their sessions, although typically several treatments are required over a period of time to accomplish long-lasting relief.

What Can Be Treated With Acupuncture?

What Can Be Treated With Acupuncture?

Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for a wide variety of health conditions and chronic ailments and disorders, including but not limited to the following:

  • Pain management – One of the primary uses of acupuncture is the alleviation of pain and discomfort from illness, injury, and disease. This includes the pain caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic headaches and migraines, menstrual cramps, dental issues, back, neck, and joint pain, and more. Mainstream methods of pain relief usually involve drugs or surgery and can be risky. Acupuncture is often used in combination with chiropractic and other natural health procedures.
  • Dermatological disorders- Acupuncture has been proven to be very effective in the control and alleviation of disorders of the skin. It can be used to improve the flow of oxygenated blood to the surface of the skin, which is useful in many types of dermatological issues, alleviating the associated itching and discomfort.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders – Acupuncture therapy is often used to treat the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, problems due to cancer treatments and chemotherapy, and other issues. It works by stimulating the production of digestive secretions in the stomach and intestines, helping to promote good gut health and reducing diarrhea, nausea, and discomfort associated with these disorders.
  • Respiratory disorders – Acupuncture can help to alleviate breathing problems caused by allergies, bronchitis, COPD, and asthma by boosting the immune system, improving the circulation of blood and oxygen, and opening up the airways by reducing inflammation and swelling.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions – The stiffness, pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility associated with arthritis, nerve disorders, and injuries involving the joints, neck, and back, and hip inflammation can be largely reduced through the use of acupuncture.

The Benefits Of Acupuncture Therapy

People who have been experiencing pain, discomfort, and loss of mobility due to an injury or a surgical procedure, as well as those who are simply in poor health generally due to physical disorders, disease, medical conditions, or advanced age, can realize many positive benefits from alternative therapies like acupuncture. The treatments have been proven to strengthen and increase the circulation of the blood, which delivers the vital supplies of oxygen and vital nutrients to the tissues and muscles throughout the body and also serve to relieve the tension from the muscles, reduce inflammation and swelling, and lessen pain, stiffness, and discomfort.

And the great thing about acupuncture therapy is that it is effective without causing any of the negative side effects that patients often suffer from when they’ve been prescribed medications and mainstream allopathic treatments. No matter what your age or physical condition, acupuncture can effectively serve the health needs of everyone.

What To Expect During An Acupuncture Session

Every professional acupuncture specialist has their own unique style and approach to their treatment methods, but certain things can generally be expected when you arrive for your session. The acupuncturist will ask you questions about the kinds of symptoms you’ve been experiencing, your lifestyle and work habits, and any other questions that will help them determine the type of treatment that will work best for you. They will also examine the areas of your body that are experiencing symptoms and check your vital signs and respiration. They can then prescribe a treatment regimen and begin.

You will be asked to lie down on a comfortable padded table and you will be given a gown to wear. During a typical session, an acupuncturist can use up to 20 needles or as few as five. The needles are very thin and are inserted to various depths, and most people report not feeling anything. Needles might be placed anywhere on your body at the appropriate points, often nowhere near the area giving you problems. The acupuncture needles may have to stay in place for up to 15 minutes while you lie still. An acupuncture session typically lasts about an hour, although it can often be much shorter.

Acupuncture treatment Hayward, CA

Depending on the condition being treated, your acupuncturist might recommend one or two treatments each week for a total of up to eight weeks. Patients usually describe feeling both relaxed and energized simultaneously after an acupuncture session, and a definite relief of their symptoms.

Choosing An Acupuncture Practitioner

It’s a good idea to choose your acupuncture specialist just like you would choose a doctor or dentist. Ask your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers for their recommendations. Search online for customer rating stars and reviews. Talk to your prospective acupuncturist and ask about their experience, training, and if they have any certifications from national organizations. Don’t forget to check whether your health insurance will cover acupuncture treatments. Many policies will, but it’s always best to check beforehand. Our clinic in Hayward will be glad to help you navigate insurance coverage and answer any questions you may have about treatment.

Acupuncture has been proven through numerous studies and practical experience to be effective at relieving the symptoms of many types of medical conditions, physical disorders, and injuries. It doesn’t always work for everyone, but for most people it does. It is non-invasive, safe, and has no side effects, so there’s no harm in giving it a try.

For more information about  acupuncture or chiropractic treatments, contact The Function Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Hayward, CA.