By Dr. Alice Honican, Licensed Acupuncturist, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a system of natural health care that encourages the body toward homeostasis by observing and following the natural forces of the universe. The aim of TCM is for the harmony of the whole, for which this intricate system was developed over 4,000 years ago.

Western Medicine tends to not look at the whole, but rather isolate a single causative factor for disease. When I was in Acupuncture school in the year 2000, I took a course called “The Treatment of Orthopedic Disorders.” This course was presented with an allopathic view for the treatment of muscular imbalances. The professor foresaw that medical doctors and physical therapists would try to westernize popular and effective traditional methods to increase its efficacy. And boy was he right, the term “dry needling” was coined and has become a very popular modality to treat sports injuries.

Unfortunately, there has been some conflict among PT’s and Acupuncturists. Acupuncturists feel that 27 hours is not long enough to learn needling techniques and the public safety is at risk. There is ongoing debate about whether dry needling is a type of Acupuncture, or a different technique altogether. Some groups, like the American Alliance for Professional Acupuncture Safety (AAPAS), say dry needling is a form of Acupuncture and that practitioners should have the same training and oversight as Acupuncturists. Others, like Physical Therapists, say dry needling is a different technique.

What is the difference between Acupuncture and Dry Needling?

At Longevity our patients were asking if Longevity offered this service so, as a perpetual student, I decided to take the course. I got certified in Dry Needling from the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. Since Dry needling is not taught in PT school, the therapists must take a CEU course to learn the techniques. The certification took place over 2 weekends. The first 27-hour course focuses on disorders of the upper body and the second on the lower half of the body. After the introduction of theory and Dry Needling and Acupuncture studies, the course began with disorders of the shoulder.

I was honestly a little surprised to discover that the course was taught using Acupuncture points and not what I assumed to be trigger points. For example, a point suggested for posterior scapula / shoulder issues is called Small Intestine 9, or “True Shoulder” in TCM. This point treats the shoulder, relieves pain and benefits the ear. For Dry Needling purposes, this point affects the disorder of the Teres Minor muscle. The professor stated the reason they are teaching location according to the Acupuncture system is because they have found they correlate with the affected anatomy, with less errors and better success rate. However, even though the therapists are needling Acupuncture points, they adamantly state that they are not practicing Acupuncture, as they are not trying to stimulate “qi.” They are not trying to treat the whole patient, just the musculoskeletal disorder.

I will say that some of the PTs at the dry needling training felt the course information was like “drinking out of a water hose.” Once I got over my personal bias, I realized we can all play in the sandbox together. Physical Therapists are extremely knowledgeable of the body and muscles and can master needling techniques with enough practice. However, you must get a referral by an orthopedic to get a dry needling prescription.

As an Acupuncturist, I do not need a medical referral, however most insurance will not cover it. For both dry needling and acupuncture, the needles allow the body to release endorphins and opioids, natural feel good hormones, to relieve pain and create a greater sense of well being. If you are suffering from an issue of pain such as neck, shoulder, back, knees, foot, etc. and want to try acupuncture and dry needling, I feel confident I can help. I can spend half the session treating the chief area of pain and the second half balancing your energy.

Schedule a session with me at Longevity on Fridays!

By Dr. Alice Honican, Licensed Acupuncturist, Bio-Energetic Practitioner

In Western physiology, emotional and mental processes are attributed to the brain. The brain, situated at the top of the body, plays a crucial role in how emotions affect us. Emotions impact the limbic system within the brain, sending nerve impulses down through the hypothalamus and through the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve centers, eventually reaching the internal organs.

In contrast, Chinese medicine views mental processes not as a pyramid but as a circle or sphere of interaction between the internal organs and their emotional effects. The state of an organ affects emotions, and emotions, in turn, affect the state of the internal organ. This holistic view of organs as mental-emotional spheres of influence is a cornerstone of Chinese medicine.

Each organ is associated with specific emotions: the heart with joy, the liver with anger, the lungs with sadness and grief, the spleen with worry and overthinking, and the kidneys with fear. For example, the kidneys correspond to the anatomical kidneys, the energies associated with the kidneys on an energetic level, the brain and thinking on a mental level, and fear on an emotional level. All these levels interact simultaneously. Consider long standing anger: while everyone feels angry at times, harboring anger for years can cause disease. Anger makes the qi rise and negatively impacts the liver. In such cases, the tongue may be red, especially on the sides, the pulse wiry, and the stools hard and dry. The patient may suffer from headaches and exhibit frustration. Acupuncture points and herbs chosen for treatment aim to soothe the liver and sedate fire.

Chronic stress is detrimental to both the mind and body. When a person is constantly in fight or flight mode, elevated cortisol levels compromise optimal rest and digestion. Acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific points along the meridian to restore and balance the flow of qi, allowing the body to function normally and repair itself. Acupuncture can lower cortisol levels, release endorphins, and opioids—natural feel-good neurotransmitters—to relieve pain and foster a greater sense of physical and emotional well-being. Improved emotional and mental health leads to enhanced physical health.

To create a treatment plan, an acupuncturist observes the body and tongue, takes the pulse, and asks questions about energy, sleep, pain, digestion, menstrual cycles, and mental state. In cases of severe and long-standing emotional problems, acupuncture alone may not suffice. The patient might need the support of a skilled counselor. For chronic mental and emotional issues, I recommend a series of 10 treatments, with 1-2 sessions per week.

Acupuncture is highly effective for achieving emotional balance and overall wellness. By treating the whole person, it supports lifestyle improvements and self-care practices, helping individuals lead healthier, more balanced lives.

To learn more about how acupuncture can benefit you and to schedule your first treatment, visit Longevity Health. Start your journey towards emotional balance and holistic well-being today.

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