Acupuncture Supports Healing Beyond Pain Relief

Having tiny needles placed strategically in your body when you are in pain may sound counterproductive, but in fact, it can be quite effective and is becoming more and more popular. Acupuncture – the insertion of tiny needles – is a traditional, ancient Chinese medical practice. Practitioners insert these tiny, thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate nerves and muscles.

Leslie Meinert, owner of State of Balance performing acupuncture on a patient

“Acupuncture is a holistic approach to health which works to rebalance the nervous system, so that your body can properly function and heal itself. There is a natural flow of qi — life force energy — and blood throughout a healthy body. The needles help direct this flow back to a balanced state when there is a dysfunction that is causing ‘dis-ease,’” said Leslie Meinert, licensed acupuncturist and owner of State of Balance.

According to Meinert, acupuncture can be used to help treat and relieve a wide range of conditions including pain and inflammation; digestive health; emotional and mental health; respiratory and immune; sexual, hormonal and reproductive health; and neurological and nerve issues. “What makes acupuncture a great option is that it is a minimally invasive therapy with very few risks when performed by a licensed practitioner. Side effects are rare and typically mild, such as temporary soreness or slight sensitivity at the needle site,” she said.

While the idea of having needles inserted in tender spots may sound painful, acupuncture needles are extremely fine and rarely cause actual pain. “Everyone has different levels of sensitivity — most people don’t feel the needles but may experience a mild heaviness or tingling sensation — this is a sign the treatment is working,” Meinert explained.

Going to an acupuncturist for the first time is much like any medical appointment. “The first appointment involves a more in-depth discussion about your medical history and the symptoms or issues you are experiencing. Based on this information, I will create a treatment plan that will address your concerns in an effort to resolve the root of the issue as the main goal,” Meinert said. “After needles are placed, I play some calming music and dim the lights, and the patient will relax for about 30 minutes before the needles are removed.”

The number of treatments varies from patient to patient, Meinert said. “Everybody is different and will react to treatment uniquely. Typically for an acute condition, five treatments would be standard, ten treatments for chronic issues. Again, you may need less, you may need more, depending on your specific circumstances,” she said.

Kari Falk of Zelienople started going to Meinert for back pain and sciatica. “I was pretty desperate for relief, and she was able to help me tremendously. I now maintain appointments with Leslie for overall well-being or if I have a flare-up,” she said. Falk had gone to acupuncture in the past after her father had done some research when Western medicine was not able to provide her with pain reduction. “Acupuncture did help calm my symptoms, so I definitely know it worked and provided relief,” she said.

Working with Meinert has been a good match for Falk. “Leslie has been awesome, and I really appreciate how she listens and thinks problems through. She has been very helpful throughout the time I have been seeing her,” she said.

Meinert said finding that match is important. “This is a form of energy healing, and therefore it is very important for you to be comfortable with your practitioner and feel safe to be vulnerable and open when communicating what is going on with your physical and emotional concerns. If your energies do not flow well together, I think that is something you notice, and it is OK to find someone else who you may feel fits you better,” she said.

Dan Johnson of WAY Wellness Center

Dan Johnson, WAY Wellness Center, said many of his patients come from word of mouth. “They come to our clinic as a referral from hearing the positive experiences of their friends, family and community members. Other clients come to us when they are frustrated with not getting results within the more compartmentalized theories practiced by the Western medical system. People are looking for an integrative option where they can both be seen as a whole person and get their medical conditions treated by a licensed professional,” he said.

Like Meinert, Johnson treats a variety of medical issues. “We have a general practice. We treat all conditions including pain, gender-specific health concerns, infertility, digestive issues, neurological conditions, cardiovascular diseases, stress, anxiety and autoimmune conditions,” he said.

Acupuncture can benefit everyone, not just those facing medical concerns. “Chinese medicine is exceptional at keeping people healthy. We utilize subtle diagnostic methods that can help us to identify imbalances that have yet to settle into a distinct pathology. We find ‘tune-ups’ and maintenance treatments very helpful,” Johnson said.

Johnson said new patients should expect to complete a health inventory prior to their first visit, and a full evaluation. “We will complete traditional inquiry methods including tongue, pulse and abdominal diagnosis. You will receive a full acupuncture treatment as part of your first visit and we will go over your Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment plan at the end of the session,” he explained.

An acupuncture session at WAY Wellness

“Most of our clients rest deeply during acupuncture — acupuncture should not be painful. There is a difference between sensation and pain. To be effective, at times we need to elicit sensation to ‘wake up’ your body’s responses to heal. This should not be painful,” Johnson said. “Clear communication is very important when working with your acupuncturist.”

Both Meinert and Johnson stressed the importance of selecting a licensed acupuncturist. “All acupuncturists in the state of Pennsylvania are licensed through the osteopathic medical board. They have completed a minimum of a four-year master’s degree in acupuncture and/or herbal medicine. They are certified through the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine,” Johnson said. At WAY Wellness, the practitioners have completed advanced doctoral-level training.

For more information on Meinert and State of Balance, visit https://www.stateofbalanceacu.com/ or contact 412-352-0853.

To contact Johnson, visit https://waywellnesscenter.com/ or 412-772-1461.