Orr Health & Chiropractic Clinic • 740-587-0061 • Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved.
Dr. Nick Vasilkov, L. Ac
Nick Vasilkov, L.Ac. is an experienced (20 years in profession) acupuncturist with both Western Medical Doctors’ and traditional Oriental training in Acupuncture and Related Techniques.
Acupuncture is a form of treatment in Traditional Oriental Medicine. Today in most western cultures it is considered a part of “new” alternative medicine. However, the first record of acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This is said
to be the oldest medical textbook in the world.
Dr. Nick Vasilkov, our acupuncturist is in our office on Tuesday mornings. You can view more about the benefits of Acupucture at
Call our office to schedule your appointment, 740-587-0061.
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles (sometimes in conjunction with the electrical stimulation) in the body's surface points, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body. The acupuncture points are located and join together in “channels” or “meridians”, along which Qi flows. The points are specific locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are accessible for a treatment. Qi is the energy force, which consists of all essential life activities including spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of life. Personal health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur.
Several scientific theories have been presented to explain how acupuncture is restoring the balance in the body. The “Gates” theory suggests that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various "gates" to these areas. Since a majority of acupuncture points are either connected to (or are located near) neural structures, this suggests that acupuncture also stimulates the nervous system. The "Endorphin" theory states that acupuncture stimulates the secretions of endorphins in the body (specifically encephalin). The "Neurotransmitter" theory states that seratonin and noradrenaline levels are affected by acupuncture.
Acupuncture needles (unlike hypodermic needles) are solid and hair-thin, and they are not designed to cut the skin. They are inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment. The needles are used once and discarded in accordance with medical biohazard regulations and guidelines.
There are a few related procedures that fall into the range of acupuncture treatments. The first is electro-acupuncture. This is the using of very small electrical impulses through the acupuncture needles or through an instrument’s probe. This method is generally used for analgesia or pain relief.
A very effective treatment is auriculotherapy. The theory is that since the ear has a rich nerve and blood supply, it would have connections all over the body. For this reason, the ear has many acupuncture points, which correspond to many parts and organs of the body. Auricular acupuncture has been successful in treating problems ranging from obesity to alcoholism, to drug addiction.
Another popular method is moxibustion, which is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to the points. Acupuncture and moxibustion are considered to be the complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is used for ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, certain types of paralysis etc.
What can we treat with Acupuncture?
Since 1970 the World Health Organization recognizes the ability of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to treat nearly four dozen common ailments, such as:
- arthritis
- neuralgia
- insomnia
- dizziness
- neck and shoulder pain
- depression
- anxiety
- hypertension
- angina pectoris
- arteriosclerosis
- anemia
- addictions to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs
- emphysema
- sinusitis
- allergies
- bronchitis
- food allergies
- ulcers
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- indigestion
- intestinal weakness
- anorexia
- gastritis
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2.-In 1997, a consensus statement released by the US National Institutes of Health found that acupuncture could be useful by itself or in combination with other therapies to treat:
-addictions
- headaches
- menstrual cramps
- tennis elbow
- chronic fatigue
- myofascial pain
- osteoarthritis
- lower back pain
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- asthma
Please note that...
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1.-depending on the seriousness and the history of condition, the first visit may take between 30-60 minutes,
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2.-it may take several (usually 8-12) visits to see a significant improvement,
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3.-while each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only a minimal or no pain at all as the needles are inserted,
- some people reportedly feel a sensation of excitement, while others feel relaxed.
