Fleur de Lis Acupuncture

Baton Rouge Area Acupuncture

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for centuries. It's based on the theory that energy, called chi, flows through and around your body along pathways called meridians.

Acupuncturists believe that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances your chi, and acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance.

Acupuncture is done by putting very thin needles into your skin at certain points on your body. This is done to influence the energy flow. Each of the points relates to certain health problems or body functions.

Most people find that it doesn't hurt. The area may tingle, feel numb, itch, or be a little sore. This is a sign that the energy flow, or chi, has been accessed.

In addition to Acupuncture, other components of Chinese Medicine include herbal medicine, nutrition, meditation, Tai Chi and manual therapies such as Tui Na, Cupping and Gua Sha.


Conditions Treated with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Safe and Effective Means of Treating a Wide Range of Medical Conditions, Including:

*  Musculoskeletal: neck, shoulder & back pain, carpal tunnel, sciatica, chronic pain, swelling, localized traumatic injury, sports injury, sprains, strains, tendonitis

*  Neurological: headache, migraine, insomnia, stress, high blood pressure, tremors

*  Gynecological: fertility, menstrual pain, PMS, menopause

*  Respiratory: asthma, cough, sore throat, hay fever, seasonal allergies

*  Gastrointestinal: constipation, acid reflux, nausea, poor digestion, weight loss

*  Other: smoking cessation, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, autoimmune, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, Meniere’s disease


What Does it Take to Become a Licensed Acupuncturist?

1.  Mandatory Education and Training:

          *  Masters of Sciences in Traditional Oriental Medicine from an accredited institute

          *  900 hours of clinical internships

          *  4200 hours of coursework including biomedical courses: Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Science, Pharmacology, Neuroanatomy and Biochemistry

          *  Eastern Medicine coursework:  Meridian theory, acupuncture point location, herbology and herbal formulas, needle technique, and ancillary manual therapies 

2.  National board exams regulated by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

3.  Application for license unique to each individual state.


How is Dry Needling Different From Acupuncture?

Dry needling is a certification course with minimal training involved, which makes it Illegal in most states.  Where legal, it is most commonly used by chiropractors and physical therapists.  It is a more aggressive approach, therefore it is more painful. 

 

Click the image to download an informative presentation from acupuncturist, Aerin Couvillion.

Aerin Couvillion

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