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How could tiny needles inserted along the midline of the scalp help with your health problems?
Scalp acupuncture is very powerful due to the prime location of the points and began to emerge as a specific therapeutic modality in the 1940s after the publication of a text called New Acupuncture Therapies and Physiological Functions. According to ancient Chinese texts, the head and scalp are a major foundation where blood and Qi connect. Qi, of course, is the term that Chinese medical experts use to describe energy. Blood, in traditional Chinese medicine, is where all the fresh nutrients for healing are carried and is also responsible for the transportation of Qi.
This book expanded on those ideas, showing a relationship between the points on the scalp and the functions of the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is a thin layer of tissue that covers about two-thirds of your brain mass. It's also the most highly developed area of the brain and is responsible for various functions including vision, hearing, touch, movement and smell. In body acupuncture the stimulation from the needles travels from the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord then up to the cerebral cortex. Needling points in the scalp places the stimulation in close contact with the cerebral cortex. Despite these revelations, it wasn't until 1984 that the National Acupuncture Association of China finally drew up the International Standard of Scalp Acupuncture.
The usefulness of scalp acupuncture is vast and I have personally helped people with high blood pressure, neuropathy, insomnia and many other health conditions just thru the retention of needles in the head. -Andrew Dyer, D.C., D.A.B.C.A.
What's even better is that this highly effective therapy causes little to no disruption in your day to day life. Depending on their conditions, my patients have kept the needles inserted for as little as two hours to a long weekend of 72 hours!
So for anyone anxious or resistant to begin acupuncture because of a fear of pain associated with the insertion of needles, don't worry! My patient's sleep, shower, eat, drive their cars, go to work and do other normal day to day tasks – all with the needles still safely inserted. The scalp needs are very short and thin and can usually be placed into position virtually pain free. If you can handle the bite of an insect then scalp acupuncture could help you with your quest for improved health.
Let's take, for example, the point called Head and Face. This point can be found at the front border of the hairline (or in the case of some men, where the hair line should be located). The function of the point is to calm the spirit, clear the mind, sedate and stop fear. It also benefits the throat and opens the orifices. I've used this point in many of my patients who struggle with sleep and clear thinking with great success and it can also be effectively used to help in cases of:
- Depression
- Mania
- Nervousness
- Epilepsy
- Memory loss
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
Another highly successful scalp acupuncture point that I frequently use is called Lower Limb. This point is located just to the front of the highest point (vertex) of your head. The function of this point is to unblock the channels, alleviate pain and strengthen the tendons. With just 6 needles strategically placed in this region conditions such as these can be successfully improved:
- Weakness
- Pain
- Numbness
- Paralysis
- Flaccidity - muscles that are too loose
- Rigidity - muscles that are too tight
- Dyskinesia - movement of muscles in an involuntary manner and diminishing control of voluntary movements
Many times I couple scalp acupuncture with body acupuncture and possibly even auriculo, or ear, acupuncture as well. Combining these three different treatment modalities often allows patients to reach their health goals more efficiently.
As with all acupuncture techniques, the goal is to move the Qi (energy) throughout the body to affect the disease states. According to Dr. Ming Qing Zhu who developed his own scalp acupuncture system while a member of the International Standard Committee that standardized scalp acupuncture in 1984, "When there's Qi in the body; it is meant to be moved. When we don't move; we die."
Whether you or someone you know has been battling with pain, depression, insomnia or a different health concern call our office and set up a consultation to see if scalp acupuncture might be a viable treatment option.
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5785 Far Hills Ave
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