ZenSummerIssue

The Truth About
Acupuncture
By Joshua Goldstein
Integrative cupuncture enter, Ridgewood,
1Acupuncture is not just for pain:
Most people who have received
acupuncture or have read about
acupuncture will say that it is for pain.
This of course is true, but many who
come in for pain start to realize that acupuncture
is a great “stress reduction”
therapy session. Working long hours
in ew ersey with plenty of traffic and
commuter stress, people are desperate
for relief from the “grind” of physical
and mental stress. Acupuncture helps
to center, relax, and calm people down.
And you know what? It’s okay to feel that
way!
I had a Type A patient who asked me to
help her with her pain but made it clear
that she did not want to feel relaxed after
the session. (She did and eventually
left!) Acupuncture releases endorphins
and helps tone the para-sympathetic
nervous system so take your mind and
body from a stressed fight or flight
response to a profoundly deep and relaxed
state of mind and body. You may
not know that acupuncture is currently
being used in the military to help troops
deal with the physical and psychological
manifestations of Post Traumatic
Stress Syndrome as well as for back
pain, headache, insomnia an traumatic
injuries. I always tell my patients that
acupuncture squeezes the body to utilize
it’s own resources better. The needles
send the signals to the body to do
this.
2Acupuncture needles pinch but
they don’t hurt!
This by far is the most common
fear preventing people from giving acupuncture
a try. So here’s the deal. Acupuncture
needles are slightly bigger
than a cat’s whisker. Nothing is injected
into the needles, which makes them extremely
small.
A slight pinch may be felt when inserted
into the skin, but it does not cause
the pain associated with hollow hypodermic
needles, the kind of feeling that
most people fear when going to the
doctor.
3What do the needles do?
Once the needles are inserted,
they start working their magic,
which is where the relaxation part
comes in. It chills out the nervous system,
decreases muscular tension, and
helps quiet the internal chatter.
People who get acupuncture on a regular
basis are familiar with the term “aculand”.
This is a state of blissful relaxation
in which you feel lighter, calmer, and
better equipped to manage stress.
If you are struggling with chronic physical
or emotional health issues or just
want a higher level of balance in your
life, consider incorporating acupuncture
into your wellness regimen.
Joshua Goldstein is an acupuncturist
working in Ridgewood
To find out more please call us at
or go to our website for
your free acupuncture booklet.
6
ZEN LIVING MAGAZINE