About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one element of a larger medical system referred to as Oriental Medicine, which also includes Chinese Herbology, bodywork, dietary therapy and exercise. Daniel utilizes all of these forms of treatment to help heal and relieve discomfort and heal disease in his patients.

Oriental Medicine

Acupuncture utilizes specific points positioned along the 12 meridians that are located throughout the body. Each of the points has a well-established and predictable result to the energy/qi that flows through it. Modern techniques have been able to measure the electrical conductivity at the points, lending scientific support to the meridian locations and point functions.

Oriental medicine incorporates the use of an intricate system of tongue and pulse diagnosis, along with the palpation of the meridian(s) and their points. In addition, a detailed medical history, including review of Western medical information where applicable, is conducted. Based on this, an Oriental medical diagnosis is established. A comprehensive treatment plan is then formulated to establish healing and dynamic balance in the meridians and throughout the body.

What should I expect?

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can relieve many conditions, often very rapidly, depending on the severity and nature of the problem. Typically, the length of treatment required relates to the length of time that the condition has been present. For example, acute conditions such as sprains or injuries can be relieved fairly quickly, often times in several treatments. Whereas long-term conditions, which have developed over years, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or depression, are relieved with consistent progress over time, requiring a larger number of treatments.

The ability to heal is also effected in large part by the patient's attitude, determination and willingness to alter their lifestyle and dietary choices. Daniel Raider highly encourages each person he sees to take an active role in the healing process to help set the pace and level of healing.

Acupuncture and western medicine

The use of Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can readily be combined with that of Western Medical treatment. There are many circumstances in which acupuncture can bee seen as a complementary form of health care to Western Medicine. In certain cases, Daniel will recommend a Western medical evaluation (if one hasn't been performed) in order to enhance the understanding of the presenting condition(s).

What is an Acupuncture treatment like? Does it hurt?

Receiving acupuncture does not resemble the feeling of receiving an injection. This is due to the extremely thin, solid yet flexible nature of acupuncture needles (about the diameter of a human hair). The pain caused from an injection is from the hollow, relatively large-diameter needle used and the medication being forced into the tissue under pressure. Often times a patient does not even feel the insertion of the acupuncture needle. The sensation that most people gat is one of heaviness or tingling at the needle site once it is under the skin. Most people find treatment by acupuncture to be very relaxing and often times will fall asleep during treatment. Your initial treatment to be treated will take roughly 1.5 hours and will include a thorough intake and evaluation, usually 45 minutes to an hour, as well as a treatment. Subsequent/follow-up treatments are 1 hour long and include a relatively brief intake, roughly 10 minutes, before treatment.

How safe is Acupuncture?

The training received in school for acupuncture is very comprehensive and is focused on safety of the patient and acupuncturist. I use only disposable/one-time-use sterilized needles and employ all of the prescribed "clean needle" techniques. Points are selected and needled using a very intricate knowledge and understanding of human physiology and anatomy. I maintain both a nationally accredited certificate in acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as an Oregon State license to practice acupuncture.

What is Chinese Herbal Medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine is derived from thousands of types of plants, mineral and animal substances. The majority of herbal remedies are chosen from 200-300 herbs. For those who prefer, alternates to animal substances can be readily found in other plant-based herbs. Coupled with acupuncture, the use of Chinese herbs is a very strong method to healing all types of conditions. A typical remedy consists of between 5-15 herbs mixed together. These herbs can be taken either in a granulized form (like a powder) with water or the "raw" herbs can be cooked down and consumed like a tea. Chinese herbs differ significantly from Western pharmaceutical drugs in that they have a balancing or regulating effect on the body without significant side effects.

The most common problems associated with taking Chinese herbs is gastrointestinal discomfort, gas bloating or loose stools. If this occurs, the combination of herbs can be easily altered to reduce these side effects or the amount of herbs taken can be reduced. Either one of these options typically alleviates those side effects listed, or any other problems which may occur. You, the patient, have great discretion in determining the amount of herbs to be taken. I am in close contact with all patients taking herbs to make sure that any potential discomfort is lessened and that the herbs are providing the effects anticipated.