Dr. Minicucci is working towards her Fellow and Diplomate status in the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture this summer.  When she attains Diplomate status, she will be on the referral list on the below website. If you would like more information on Acupuncture, please visit www.IAMA.edu

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a health science, which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body.  Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China.  In fact, authorities agree the science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old.  The use of acupuncture spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed.  Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the U.S. until 1971, when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.

Early Chinese physicians discovered that there is an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures at over 1,000 “Acupoints” on the body.  This energy works in harmony with the body’s circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body.  When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident.  Stimulation of one or a combination of key “Acupoints” on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.

Historians have stated, “More people have benefited from acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern.”

How does it work?

Frequently in the medical profession, a patient is told after extensive examination, “There is nothing wrong,” “It is all in your head,” or “Sorry, you’ll have to learn to live with it.”  The examining doctor is unable to find the cause of the problem and has little else to tell the patient.  Fortunately, many physicians and patients are looking to acupuncture as a last resort. 

Acupuncture’s goal is to restore normalcy to the body’s energy balance by utilizing a combination of Acupoints located on the twelve meridians.  This is accomplished by a variety of means, the needle is just one.

Medical research continues in this country to attempt to explain in western scientific terms, what the ancient Chinese seventy centuries earlier described.  Today, many theories have been postulated as to why acupuncture is so effective in pain control.  However, as more discoveries are made, more research is indicated.

How many treatments are usual?

The number of treatments varies with different conditions and individuals.  Chronic problems generally require more treatment than acute ones.  Some patients notice an immediate improvement after the first treatment, whereas others may not notice any effect until the seventh or eighth visit.  Its been shown that a certain percentage of patients receive maximum benefit up to three months following a course of therapy.

A small number of patients will experience a worsening of symptoms, as the body’s energies are returning to normal.  This is usual and no need for alarm.  It is followed by improvement.  Researchers internationally agree that the usual number of treatments is between eight and sixteen.  The usual frequency is between two and four times per week.

Patients are urged not to enter an acupuncture program with the thought of  “trying a few” to see what will happen.  Patients are encouraged to be patient with the healing process.  If the treatments are recommended and results occur in less time than expected, the doctor may elect to either discontinue treatments or continue in order to stabilize the condition.

Are results psychological?

Many critics of acupuncture have suggested the science is hypnosis or “mind over matter”.  This criticism is totally unfounded as acupuncture has startling effects in infants and toddlers, as well as veterinary patients.  The effect it has in surgery as an anesthetic further disclaims the skeptics.

What is Meridian Therapy?

Meridian therapy is the accepted name employed by those who practice the principle of acupuncture without the use of a penetrating needle.

Acupuncture is a principle, not a technique. Many practitioners use electronic stimulation, laser beam or pressure massage to treat an acupoint.

Contemporary Acupuncture Diagnosis- EMI

In 1951, Dr. Yoshio Nakatani M.D., Ph.D., developed a method of examining the meridian system of the body through electronic measurements, which altered the way acupuncture would be practiced throughout Japan, Europe, Australia and North America. Referred to as “Ryodoraku” by Nakatani, its use would become international within 25 years of discovery.

In approximately 1957, a medical delegation from the People’s Republic of China visited Japan and became fascinated with Dr. Nakatani’s discovery.  The Chinese delegation visited Nakatani’s clinic, making detailed observations into the procedure and was amazed at both the theory and therapeutic effects.

Nakatani first developed the procedure of electronic evaluation of the meridian system by measuring skin conductance at the Yuan (Source) point of the wrist and ankle.  By doing so, he created on of the most significant acupuncture diagnostic methods that has yet to be created in either contemporary or traditional acupuncture. When one compares the findings of learned Asian Masters of acupuncture using pulse diagnosis, with the findings of Ryodoraku; the meridians, which are shown to be involved, are identical.  Masters of acupuncture are known to palpate the 12 pulse positions for as long as 15-30 minutes per wrist in select cases.  Electronic evaluation of the 12 Yuan points takes less than a total of two minutes, regardless of the complications of the case.

Electronic measurement evaluation of the patients Yuan points do not determine the same indications that analyzing the specific 28 pulse characteristics seen in proper pulse diagnosis do. It does, however, determine if an individual meridian is excess or deficient in comparison to the entire meridian system average of the 12 primary meridians.

When one finds an elevated or deficient meridian on Ryodoraku, the treatment approach is to specifically tonify or sedate the acupuncture points known to replenish or deplete biomagnetic energy.  By doing so, this action will create balance in the meridians.  Electronic measurements are ascertained by examining the bilateral 24 specific Yuan points of the wrist and ankles for only three seconds per point.

The system of Ryodoraku was re-named “Electro Meridian Imaging”(EMI) by Dr. John A. Amaro in 1982.  It gave the procedure a more contemporary term for today’s patient.  This electronic method of evaluation is reliable, duplicable, and easy to explain to the patient.  It is internationally changing the way acupuncture is being used both diagnostically and therapeutically.