Acupuncture Is Minimalist Medicine
Editor’s Note: This is a Guest post by Sara Calabro, founding editor of AcuTake
The beauty of minimalism is in watching it permeate throughout all aspects of life. What started with an impulsive purging of VHS tapes is now helping you prioritize tasks at work and informing how you educate your children about gift giving.
Another area with which minimalism forms a perfect synergy is health. When minimalist ideas are applied to how we care for ourselves, healthy lifestyle choices become intuitive and medical decisions are more in our control.
On our journeys toward optimum health, sometimes we need a gentle nudge. Acupuncture, because it is by definition minimalist, is the ideal helping hand.
Acupuncture is low-cost. One of the fundamental tenets of minimalism is to shun excessive spending. And yet American healthcare is the poster child for excess. We over test; we over medicate; and we over emphasize insurance coding at the risk of sound medical decisions. Of course, many aspects of modern medicine can be lifesaving, but as a whole, the system has become bloated and disproportionately beneficial for those who can or choose to spend a lot of money. Acupuncture is an antidote to many of the financial complexities that prevent us from getting the care we need. Not only is acupuncture an effective way to trim current costs on prescriptions, but as a preventive medicine, it also decreases long-term spending on the chronic conditions that can be financially debilitating as we age. The expense of acupuncture education combined with the lack of acupuncturist jobs within mainstream medical settings has unfortunately driven up the cost of acupuncture as well. But there are currently 166 full-time community acupuncture clinics throughout the U.S. In addition, many nonprofits and community gathering places offer affordable acupuncture. Most of these clinics charge sliding-scale fees (usually between $15 and $40), where people pay what they can afford, or are donation-based.
Acupuncture works with what you’ve already got. The driving idea behind acupuncture is that we’re already in possession of everything we need to be well. Sound familiar? Minimalists abide by the same philosophy. Buying a third flat-screen TV for the kitchen might appear to help a hardworking family decompress during dinner. It blocks out distracting stressors and eliminates pressure to make conversation. In the same way, popping a pill every time heartburn strikes offers fast, easy relief and erases the need to contemplate why the problem has become chronic. Instead of introducing an external substance to mask symptoms, acupuncture “wakes up” or redirects the body’s own healing mechanisms to resolve underlying imbalances. Most of us already have all the tools we need to have a meaningful, TV-less dinner with loved ones—voices, imagination and curiosity. Similarly, acupuncture takes what’s already there and rearranges it into something positive.
Acupuncture requires limited equipment. In his book Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance, author Atul Gawande says our healthcare system would be better off investing in performance improvement than continuing to throw money at the latest new technology. He says, “We have not effectively used the abilities science has already given us.” Acupuncture has been around for 5,000 years. It has been keeping people healthy long before MRIs and CT scans became the norm for even slightly confusing symptoms. Minimalism doesn’t require much in the way of equipment—in fact, the less the better. Acupuncture is the same way. Needles and cotton balls are pretty much all you need (for extremists, even the cotton balls are optional). As Gawande points out—and as minimalists know better than anyone—if we could just get better at utilizing and appreciating the quality things we already have, we might think twice before finding comfort in new fancy gadgets.
Acupuncture is individualized. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to minimalism, just as there is no universal cure for disease. Modern medicine is centered on the idea that the body can be broken down into anatomical structures, cells and molecules that, when diseased, require pre-determined interventions. Acupuncture takes a different approach: The human body is comprised of interdependent physical structures whose condition is affected by emotional and environmental factors. Acupuncture treatments are personalized to each person’s unique constitution and circumstances. Minimalism, like back pain, is different for everyone.
Acupuncture requires an investment. As is the case with minimalism, the world does not always make it easy to embrace acupuncture. People who choose to live minimally do so in the face of powerful corporations, relentless advertising, and societal pressure to keep up with the Joneses. Likewise, those who use acupuncture do it despite pooh-poohing from pharmaceutical companies, doctors, as well as family, friends and colleagues, most of whom regard mainstream medicine as the only acceptable form of healthcare. Acupuncture is not a quick fix; it (usually) does not solve problems overnight. Nor does it have millions of dollars of advertising behind it to convince society of its benefits. Acupuncture requires that we invest time and effort into listening to our bodies and giving them what they really need rather than what someone tells us they need. Acupuncture asks us to play an active role in our health, to participate in the process and take responsibility for the outcomes. This is not always easy, but, as minimalists know, it ultimately is the most rewarding path.
Sara Calabro is the founding editor of AcuTake, a website dedicated to improving acupuncture education and access.
What questions do you have for Sara? Have you tried Acupuncture before? I have considered it, but never done it, and would love to hear your feedback in the comments section.
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21 Responses to “Acupuncture Is Minimalist Medicine”
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This is a very timely post. My fiancée is currently in acupuncture school. She started her first clinic hours yesterday.
Something that you point out Sara that I didn’t realize before my fiancée entered acupuncture school was how individualized acupuncture is. The point/meridians differ greatly from one person to the next which changes the approach. This applies to life as well. We all differ in vast ways and need to be approached in different ways to actually be effective.
Great guest post…
David Damron
LifeExcursion
Thanks for the feedback, David. The individualized nature of acupuncture is one of the things that really resonates with me as well. One-sized-fits-all approaches to medicine (and as you rightly point out, to life) is where we sometimes get into trouble. I am continually surprised by how many life lessons are buried within even the most basic tenets of acupuncture.
Keep on with the great work you do at LifeExcursion. And best of luck to your fiancée…clinic is when it really starts coming together and getting fun!
Sara
I’ve had acupuncture treatment on and off for the last decade. It’s been especially helpful when combined with other treatments (chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage).
When I was in labor with my son I had a treatment to get contractions ‘cooking’ so to speak. It worked!
Great post. Thanks, Sara and Courtney.
Thanks, Rachel. I’m a big fan of acu-combos myself. It’s a great way to optimize results. Glad to hear you had success during labor.
I tend to have a lot of anxiety (especially when it comes to a needle being shoved in me). Do you feel the needles? And, if so, does it hurt or just a slight discomfort?
I’m completely ignorant of acupuncture and not really sure what all its used to treat. And, since it does need to be so personalized, does that mean anyone interested should really research first to make sure the person isn’t a wacko sticking people in the wrong points/meridians?
I guess it could also be asked, does one have to have a certificate or schooling of some sort to practice it? (I am so picturing the movie Kung Fu Panda when he is stuck with the needle and his face goes all crazy cause the guy can’t find the right spots, lol.)
Sorry if these are dumb questions, but maybe I’m keeping someone else from having to look dumb like me.
Hi Chandra,
Thanks for your questions. No such thing as dumb ones, and you’re absolutely right that other people out there are probably wondering the same things.
So first the biggest and most common question: Does acupuncture hurt? Everyone experiences pain differently so it’s hard to give an absolute yes or no to this. The best I can tell you is that for the majority of people, acupuncture doesn’t hurt. Typically, when the needles are inserted, you might feel a dull prick, almost like a very mild mosquito bite. Many people feel nothing at all. Once the needle is in, people sometimes feel a dull, achy sensation, which is normal and often described as pleasant.
Acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions, everything from back pain to allergies to insomnia to menstrual difficulties. The World Health Organization has deemed acupuncture effective for a very long list of conditions. You can see them all here: http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4926e/5.html
Great question regarding wackos sticking people with needles! Yes, you absolutely should look who you’re receiving acupuncture from. In order to practice acupuncture legally in the U.S., acupuncturists have to be licensed in the state in which they are practicing. To be eligible for a license, we complete a 3-year Masters program (many acupuncturists actually have 5+ years of training because they study herbology at the same time as acupuncture) and pass a national board examination. The letters you want to see after someone’s name are “LAc.” That stands for licensed acupuncturist and it means they’re legit. National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM, http://www.nccaom.org/) is the organizational body that certifies acupuncturists, so if you ever wanted to look into someone further, they have record of all licensed acupuncturists.
If you’re interested in learning more, you might want to browse around my blog, AcuTake (http://acutakehealth.com), where I cover a wide range of conditions and topics from an acupuncture perspective. The intent there is to write about acupuncture in a way that makes it accessible to people outside the acupuncture world. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact me directly at sara@acutakehealth.com
Thanks again for the inquiry,
Sara
Great post, I think Acupunture is a great medicine. And very ancient. And holistic.
I feel the same regarding Homeopatia. Every individual in unique. And everything is related. This holistic dimension when concerning health is the base.
I wish you a good new year. I love your posts.
Thanks Lydia, I didn’t write this post, it’s a guest post on a topic that I am really interested in. I’m glad there was an expert willing to provide the article. I think it is so smart to incorporate homeopathic medicine when appropriate and conventional medicine when appropriate.
Acupuncture is also not scientifically valid. In other words, it doesn’t really work.
See, for example, this post at Science-Based Medicine, a blog which it seems would be useful for all of you to read so you can learn a little about reality.
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=7660
Hi Jude,
Thanks for weighing in. I have met many people who have had great success with Acupuncture, so while it may not work for all, it does work for some. I think that is the same with conventional meds. All bodies and minds react differently to each treatment.
It makes me grateful that there are so many options.
Minimalist medicine? More like non-existent medicine. Jude is right. Look at the evidence.
I say this not because I am married to the managing editor of Science-Based Medicine, but because I am a healthcare professional who has looked at the evidence myself.
here’s more to think about when considering how to best spend your dollars and cents http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=6391
You are right, Acupuncture has to be paid in Germany, but for my hurtings from running it is the only medcine which is helping. And running is a Minimalist Sport so I need a Minimalist Medicine!
By the way, happy new year and sucess for the new year 2011 to you and your family!
Hi Mac,
Glad acupuncture has helped keep you on the road. I’ve done a few recent pieces on acupuncture for running that you might want to check out:
http://acutakehealth.com/runners-achilles-heel
http://acutakehealth.com/plantar-fasciitis-indicates-soleus
Happy 2011 to you too!
Sara
Thank you very much, Sara, I will check that the next days!
Interesting article, didnt really tell me much of anything about acupunture just informed me about how much benefit it will be to my purse and my bank account and not to my body. I live in the uk and at present i dont pay for medical treatment and its only in england that we have to pay for prescriptions. However i would have to pay privately for holistic treatment and looking on the web the cost approximately £40 per session. I have been sick and off work for 6 weeks so far with first a chest infection that exacerbated my asthma and now i have viral laryngitis and ive had every pill and potions needed to save my life. But along with the medical treatment i required and recieved from very kind medical practitioners and their staff i also had a good friend who gave me reflexology sessions as i got better and were of amazing benefit for the stress.
So its not that im opposed to holistic health im not, far from it but sometimes you need a little bit more.
By the way im a registered nurse working on a high dependency caridiology ward – i mend hearts.
Thanks for the input, Bev. I’m sorry to hear that illness is keeping you out of work. I absolutely agree with you that combining Western medicine with things like reflexology/acupuncture/etc. can often be the most effective approach.
My intent with this piece was to highlight some philosophical/theoretical similarities between acupuncture and minimalism, things that I believe actually are part of what makes acupuncture beneficial to the body. But to your point, the goal was not to talk specifically about how acupuncture works and for what conditions.
But that’s exactly the kind of stuff I write about over at my blog, http://acutakehealth.com, so if you’re interested in learning more, I recommend checking that out. I’m happy to address any specific questions there in comments and/or via email.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Sara
I have been wanting to try acupuncture for some time now for chronic hypertension. I read into your blog and loved the info I did read Sara, but didn’t see anything for hypertension.
Can you briefly describe any cases or any experience you may have with reduction in blood pressure with acupuncture?
We can chat more on Twitter, Facebook or your blog as I am now tracking ya- thanks!
Eric
Hey Eric,
Thanks for checking out my blog. You’re right — I haven’t done a post yet on hypertension. That’s a great suggestion. I will think about doing one in the near future. In the meantime, let me pull together some suggestions for reading material for you on the topic. Acupuncture could be an effective option for you. I’m already a reader and fan of Elevated Simplicity, so I will contact you there.
Speak again soon!
Sara
What an amazing post! This sums up my exact feelings and ideas of late. Acupuncture was one of the first things I did that led me, quite organically, to minimalism.
Hi Christina,
Thanks for the feedback! Isn’t it amazing, the synergies between acupuncture and minimalism? Glad you enjoyed the post.
Sara
Wonderful post! As an acupuncturist who has always taken a minimalist approach to health and wellness, this really sums up all the reasons why simpler is often better. Thank you for sharing:)
Paul