Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an important branch of Chinese medicine that has been practiced for a very long time. Acupuncture is based on the concept that energy (Chi) circulates to each cell in the body through a series of twelve major and two extra channels and called meridians. When the flow of energy is disrupted - blocked, misdirected, slowed, unbalanced - the body will be out of balance and will if not immediately, eventually experience ill health including pain and/or dysfunction. The practice of acupuncture and acupressure are designed to return the free flow of chi throughout the body. 

Acupuncture is gaining recognition in the broader medical community for its ability to provide symptom relief when other treatments have not provided adequate relief. We expect that recognition to grow as the medical community begins to more systematically measure the benefits, the dangers and the costs of various options for symptom relief. Dangers and side effects are generally much lower from acupuncture than pharmacological and surgical alternatives. The details will vary by patient and alternative considered. Many patients are asking for options that include less invasive and fewer side effects. 

Acupuncture is part of Dr. Gantt's practice. In other words, he uses it extensively but not exclusively. Some practitioners only do acupuncture. Dr. Gantt is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine. As such, he often includes acupuncture for immediate symptom relief while using other moralities to remove the underlying cause of the symptoms. In this manner his goal is to bring patients to fully functioning health or as close as possible rather than being on disease management plan whenever possible. 

​​Dr. Gantt will use your patient history and symptoms to determine where the blockage in the Chi is. Dr. Gantt will then use very small acupuncture needles placed at specific points in the body to release excess energy, eliminate blockages and bring back the smooth even flow of Chi. Following placement of the needles, a short period (generally 10 to 20 minutes) of quiet time is allowed with the needles in place giving them time to work. 

For many of us in America, acupuncture is new and the concepts quite different from our past experience with medicine. Most patients exploring acupuncture and other alternative treatments come because more traditional treatments didn't work for them or there were simply none available.   

Diseases that lend themselves to Acupuncture Treatment

Source World Health Organization Interregional Seminar.

• Upper Respiratory Tract Acute sinusitis
  
• Acute rhinitis 
  
• Common cold, 
  
• Acute tonsillitis, 
  
• Acute bronchitis, 
  
• Bronchial asthma 
  
• Eye Disorders 
  
• Acute conjunctivitis, 
  
• Central retinitis, 
  
• Myopia, 
  
• Cataract 
  
• Mouth Disorders
  
• Toothache 
  
• Gingivitis 
  
• Acute & chronic pharyngitis
  
• Gastrointestinal Disorders 
  
• Spasms of the esophagus
  
•  Hiccough
  
• Acute & chronic gastritis 
  
• Acute & chronic duodenal ulcer, 
  
• Acute & chronic colitis
  
• Neurological Disorders
  
• Musculoskeletal Disorders 
  
• Headache & migraine
  
• Trigeminal neuralgia, 
  
• Facial paralysis, 
  
• Post-stroke paralysis, 
  
• Neck, shoulder, elbow pain 
  
• Low back pain & sciatica
  
• Osteoarthritis
  

Acupuncture Coordinated with other Innovative Practices

Dr. Gantt incorporates Acupuncture with other innovative treatments in his Sacramento practice. This practice has been in place for many years and as testimonials and thank you notes from many clients attest to. These and consultation with Dr. Gantt can help you to see the range of success others have found and better evaluate how acupuncture may benefit you.

How many Acupuncture Therapy Sessions will it take?

Acupuncture addresses a variety of conditions and individuals at a variety of health levels across Sacramento, Roseville, Fair Oaks, Carmichael and Folsom. The number of sessions needed for each individual to achieve their objectives will appropriately vary from a few to support over at a more intense level over a longer time window. Dr. Gantt has the knowledge and experience to address both rapid recovery and the needs of longer more challenged patients.