Lasers: Taking the Fear Our of Acupuncture
By
Dr. Thomas Patavino of Thoracic Park Alternative Health

Acupuncture has been one of those strange entities that seem to perplex the average person. For starters, it seems impossible that tiny little needles placed in specific spots on the body can have therapeutic effects, yet we hear the miraculous stories of those who have benefited from the least likely of choices of medicine. We hear of studies depicting favorable results with conditions we would never in a million years consider trying an art of medicine invented on the other side of the world. We can’t pick up a magazine or flip through a special report on the news mentioning this newest trend as a hope to fix the health of the ailing. However, this trend is not new at all. The far east has known about this art for 5000 years, it only seems new to us as we are only now exploring the possibilities of this science.

I am amazed by patterns I see with acupuncture. Not the pattern of people showing improvement in their pain, losing weight, stop smoking, over coming infertility, reducing stress or managing their cancer treatments but the expression of human nature. People are always doubtful of their progress. “I don’t know if it’s in my head or placebo, but I feel better”. I have had heard those words quite frequently from surprised patients that report improvement after several acupuncture treatments. My response is simple. “ The placebo trial was conducted before you started acupuncture, how did you feel then compared to now”? That is usually enough to remove the doubtful nature of the human mind. On one hand you have the undesirable hope that it works or they would never consider it in the first place and on the other, you have the doubt that the results can’t possibly be real despite the improvement felt with their own bodies.

The other common trend I see with acupuncture is the fear of needles. Typically acupuncture is a painless, bloodless relaxing procedure that even those with an extremely low pain threshold seem to handle without concern, but many still have this deep-rooted fear of needles. For some, it doesn’t matter how small or where the needle will be placed. Acupuncture is not an option. This is unfortunate because sometimes acupuncture ends up being that missing link in medicine when all traditional methods have failed. Regardless, fear often overrides reason and that truncates progress and stifles hope.

This has been an obstacle for many, up till now. Modern day technology has now made it possible for people to experience the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture without the use of needles. Acupuncture can be performed by the use of special frequency class 3b lasers. Shining the pulsed laser at the specific spots the needles are normally placed capture the same therapeutic affect to stimulate the body to promote balance and healing. This opens the doors for those who typically have adversity to the use of needles for healing. Small children, elderly patients, people with low pain thresholds and those who have a fear of needles can now consider acupuncture as a viable option of health care.

Laser acupuncture is less invasive than needle acupuncture. The procedure is absolutely painless as recipients feel mild pulsations, warmth or vibrations at the points of stimulation. Treatment times are relatively shorter compared to traditional needle acupuncture.

Laser acupuncture can be used for the same conditions as traditional acupuncture. Pain management, infertility, menopause and menstrual conditions, asthma, allergies and sinus problems, weight loss, smoking cessation, cancer and surgical recovery and most other health conditions can be treated by laser acupuncture. It’s ironic that modern advances can replicate ancient practices that are over 5000 years old. They say trends are cyclical and everything makes a come back, but if you’ve never tried it, it will always remain new to you.