Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine – Overland Park – Kansas City

Acupuncture, one of the main forms of therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been practiced for around 3,000 years. In acupuncture, certain points on the body associated with energy channels or meridians are stimulated by the insertion of fine needles (or a needle-less form using a new age tool) to stimulate the points. Unlike the hollow hypodermic needles used in allopathic medicine to give injections or draw blood, acupuncture needles are thin, solid and can hardly be felt. Most of our patients would describe them as nothing more than a tap or tingle. You'll also be amazed at how small they are!

Amy Satterfield, MSOM, LAc. is Board Certified by the NCCAOM in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Dr. Brad Woodle, DC, CCSP(R), FASA, CSCS is Nationally Board Certified in Acupuncture by the NBCE, Advanced Certified, and is a Fellow of the Acupuncture Society of America. Dr. Colton Bartels DC, CSCS is certified in acupuncture and meridian therapy. Our practitioners are continually researching and adding new therapeutic techniques to improve results and effectiveness by combining tradition, research and new technology.

One example of this technology is the Acugraph, which uses a computer based screening that can show you your Qi in relation to your 12 meridians and balance of Yin and Yang. This is one of many tools that we may use to help treat you most effectively in addition to educate you on how acupuncture works.

Acupuncture restores health by removing energy imbalances and blockages in the body. Practitioners of acupuncture believe that there is a vital force or energy called Qi (pronounced "chee") that flows through the body and between the skin surface and the internal organs, along channels or pathways called meridians. There are 12 major and 8 minor meridians. Qi regulates the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical harmony of the body by keeping the forces of yin and yang in balance. Acupuncture may be used to raise or lower the level of yin or yang in a specific part of the body in order to restore the energy balance.

There are 2000 conditions that the World Health Organization states can be treated with acupuncture including:

To set up your first acupuncture consultation call 913-643-1771

Acupuncture is an ancient healing art. It can be traced back to about 5,000 BCE. The early practitioners of acupuncture observed how man and nature work to create balance. Slowly over the years practitioners saw the effect that acupuncture had on the body. Early practitioners were able to observe how Qi (chee) or energy traveled through the body. They then created a system that stimulates Qi, which helps the body stay balanced and free of disease. With many years of practice we now have an intercut holistic medical system.

This holistic system is made up of 14 main meridians or channels. These meridians circulate Qi through the body. If the Qi becomes stuck in a meridian it can cause pain or illness. This is when a practitioner will use acupuncture to help regulate the flow of Qi, which in turn will make the person well.

To do this, practitioners use very thin needles inserted into acu-points. Acu-points are areas of electrical sensitivity. There are over 2,000 acu-points on the body. Acu-points are located on the trunk, arms, legs hands, feet, scalp, face, and even ears. Every acupuncture treatment utilizes specific points that suites the individual needs of a patient. When the needle is inserted into a point, that needle stimulates Qi and balances the person’s body.  This is a very basic explanation of acupuncture and the meridian system. Each time you come in you will receive more in depth education.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

Acupuncture needles are very thin. They are usually around 34-40 gauge. The normal size of a hypodermic needle is an 18 gauge needle. To put this into perspective forty acupuncture needles can easily fit inside the opening of an 18 gauge hypodermic needle. 

Of course there will be areas of the body that are more sensitive than other areas. The palms and soles of the feet can be very sensitive. Most points that are used are mainly on the arms, legs, head and tops of the feet. When the needle is inserted you will feel a slight prick, then you can feel a warm, tingling, numb, or no sensation at all. All of these are normal. Most people feel very relaxed and calm after a treatment, with no adverse side effects.