Sheila Nair-Doyle uses body acupuncture, scalp, and auricular (ear) acupuncture to treat different ailments, such as pain in any area of the body, emotional imbalances, and other various disorders. A list of the disorders for which Acupuncture is considered an appropriate form of medicine by the World Health Organization (W.H.O) of the United Nations is shown below. She also can help to tone sagging facial muscles and reduce fine lines with facial rejuvenation acupuncture for a younger-looking face. Her acupuncture treatments are specifically catered to the needs of her particular patient. She has been trained in pulse diagnosis to diagnose the root imbalance of the system, and then to formulate the acupuncture treatment protocol according to the diagnosis. She also uses heat therapy, as well as electrical stimulation, when needed.
Infections: Colds, flu, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat.
Internal: hypoglycemia, asthma, high blood pressure, ulcers, colitis, indigestion, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, constipation, diabetes.
Ear, nose, throat, and eyes: deafness, tinnitus, earache, poor eyesight, hay fever.
Dermatological: Eczema, acne, herpes.
Musculo-Skeletal and Neurological: arthritis, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, stiff neck, Bells’ Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, headache, stroke, cerebral palsy, polio, sprains.
Genito-Urinary and Reproductive: impotence, infertility, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), vaginitis, irregular periods or cramps, morning sickness.
Mental-Emotional: anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia.
Acupuncture is quickly becoming a common complementary or alternative therapy to Western medicine. However, most first-time patients may not know what to expect during the first visit. Many acupuncture styles and techniques results in different opinions between acupuncturists. But, let’s look at the general tips all acupuncturists agree on:
Acupuncture treats more than the pain
Patients cancel their appointments when they are sick with a cold. What most people don’t realize is that acupuncture not only helps in treating stomach viruses and common colds, but it’s also helpful in dealing with problems such as skin diseases, infections, and cancer.
Eat something
Your acupuncturist may forget to mention that you shouldn’t go for the treatment without having a bite before the appointment. You may choose to eat a full meal or a snack. This helps in boosting the body’s energy level, hence maximizing the potential of the treatment. Getting acupuncture without having a meal may lead to dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
It’s not a must to remove all your clothes
Your acupuncturist might need to access any area under the clothes. But, he or she will drape you to make sure that your skin isn’t fully exposed. It’s also wise to wear loose clothing so that it can be easy to pull the pant legs above your knees and roll up the sleeves above the elbows.
Be ready to answer questions you may find embarrassing
Other than the physical examination, your acupuncturist may ask you questions on different topics about your lifestyle and health. These questions may include detailed descriptions of urination, bowel movements, or menstruation (for women). The more open you are to your acupuncturist, the better the diagnosis you will get. So do not be shy or feel embarrassed but rather provide honest answers to the questions so you will benefit more in the end.
Needles used in Acupuncture are thinner compared to hypodermic needles
Most people get turned off by needles. But, the needles used in acupuncture are approximately the width size of two hair strands. They are also quite flexible. Often people imagine how it will feel while the needles are being inserted and after they are in place. Surprisingly it’s common to find a patient snoring during the therapy.
One treatment isn’t enough to cure your sickness
Your acupuncturist will recommend subsequent treatments after the first one. If the costs are a problem, try to find out if your insurance plan reimburses acupuncture. Many acupuncturists will provide a bill you can submit to your insurance carrier to get the reimbursement. Your Naples Acupuncturist may even be able to offer a package of treatments to reduce your overall expense.
It is important to know what you expect to face during the first appointment. This helps you ask any necessary questions for clarification and to ease your mind. Also, communication between you and the acupuncturist is vital. Be sure to speak up if there is anything physically or mildly uncomfortable during your treatment. The acupuncture therapy should be relaxing and enjoyable. So, if the treatment isn’t that, the acupuncturist deserves to know so that they can remedy the situation immediately.
Infertility can be caused by an imbalance within the body mind spirit system, which can, in turn, be caused by various factors, like physiological problems, such as tumors and endometriosis which may cause blockages within the fallopian tubes by scar tissue, stress or depression, which ironically may be caused by trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant and is perpetuated as a catch 22 the more the couples tries and fails to conceive. Luckily, one of the wonderful effects of acupuncture is that it relieves emotional stress and alleviates depression, hence facilitating conception. Acupuncture also enhances the flow of blood and Qi (energy) to the lower jiao or lower abdomen, which can help in conceiving. It is also important to determine if the man has issues such as low sperm count or motility. If this is the case, acupuncture may help with that as well. After all, in this particular area, as the old saying goes, it definitely “takes two”.
A couple may also have trouble getting pregnant if there is disharmony within the internal organs. Since having acupuncture treatments will facilitate the smooth flow of blood and Qi throughout all of the organs, it will greatly help with everything working together. After all, within the realm of holistic medicine, the health of the whole person is taken into consideration.
Therefore, anything that causes a disharmony within the different systems, whether it is physical, mental, or emotional, can be the reason for the malfunctioning of bodily processes and the cause of infertility.
The lack of conception can be the result of many causes. It is the job of the Acupuncturist to figure out the reason and correct it, resulting in the woman being able to get pregnant. I have had excellent results with patients who have this issue, whether the woman is undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments or not. What I have found is that the acupuncture strengthens and enhances the IVF treatments if the patient is undergoing them. Even if she is not doing IVF, she can still get pregnant with acupuncture treatment.
As mentioned before, in Oriental Medicine, infertility can be caused by various issues. By doing an assortment of diagnostic procedures, I have been able to come to the proper treatment protocol resulting in the patients’ pregnancy. The aforementioned diagnostics are not done by modern machines, but by ancient techniques that have been proven to work over the period of thousands of years, namely tongue diagnoses, twelve-pulse diagnoses, which is the examining of twelve pulses on the wrist (six on each wrist at shallow and deep levels), interviewing and observing the patient, and palpating of acupoints along the main meridians or in the ear.
These methods of diagnoses help the Acupuncturist hone in on the issues that are blocking conception, so that she may be able to put together a formula for treating and overcoming the obstacles. In fact, this diagnosis protocol can and has, in my private practice, helped patients overcome hundreds of various ailments and maladies.
The greatest plus of all with acupuncture is that it does not have any negative side effects, and is very compatible with other forms of medical treatments.
In Naples as in other parts of the country, Acupuncture has become increasingly popular for treating insomnia, pain, and other conditions, hence numerous myths are perpetuated. We shall address common acupuncture myths you may hear and the facts behind them.
Will Acupuncture hurt?
Most people think of pain each time something is associated with needles. So they think Acupuncture must hurt. However, the needles used are extremely small. It may feel like you have been bitten by a mosquito upon insertion, but the sensation is transitory. Once the needle is in its place, you are likely not to feel anything at all.
Your acupuncturist wants you to stop visiting your regular doctor. (Myth)
Your Naples acupuncturist believes that Western medicine is often necessary and effective. He or she will work with your physician to come up with a comprehensive health plan specifically designed for you. Some patients do replace Western medicine with acupuncture while others will complement it with Western medicine to make it more effective.
Acupuncture has no scientific basis. (Myth)
Acupuncture is over 5,000 years old. This is a much older form of medicine than Western medicine. Many recent studies have shown how some progressive hospitals offer various acupuncture services. The World Health Organization also recognizes acupuncture as one of the valid treatment methods for different health conditions.
Acupuncture only cures pain. (Myth)
It is true that acupuncture will relieve different kinds of body pain like neck, knee and back pain. But, it can also be used to treat internal health issues, including digestive orders, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, fertility, women’s health, acne and much more.
Will you always need acupuncture after your first session? (Myth)
This is not true. Some patients even get better after three sessions. But if you have chronic pain conditions that have been going on for a long time, the condition cannot be corrected in one session. Just like healthy eating, or training for any sport, the acupuncture results are cumulative. Your body will take a while to adjust to the changes.
Acupuncture works magic.
Although this practice will significantly improve your health when used correctly as performed by a licensed practitioner; its efficacy can be limited if not used with a healthy lifestyle. Patients are always advised to follow the prescribed lifestyle and dietary modifications religiously. This can include exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and including other activities that can lessen the negative effects of stress like tai chi, yoga or massage.
Acupuncture isn’t sterile. (Myth)
Other than the pain associated with needles, sometimes people are concerned about the sterility of the needles. Will the needles transfer illnesses from one person to the other? Your Naples acupuncturist will use single-use, individually packaged, sterilized and disposable needles for each patient. All the needles are properly disposed of just like the ones in hospitals. The infection risk from acupuncture is very low since the needles are only used once and then disposed of.
Acupuncture will promote self-healing and your long-term well-being. It might not be a solution for all the ailments in life, but separating the facts from fiction will help you understand how effective it is.
The most common acupuncture side effects are things everyone needs: increased energy levels, sleeping better, less stress, better digestion and mental clarity. But sometimes you might get other less pleasant acupuncture side effects. These side effects are rare, and none are life-threatening. It’s important that you know them so that you won’t be concerned when they occur. Here are the infrequent acupuncture side effects, many of which are a healing response, a necessary part of the healing process.
Emotional outbursts
Some people often cry during an acupuncture session. This isn’t because they are experiencing pain, but because they get emotional. The emotional release usually happens once a person gets a positive experience. Feeling tear-prone or extra sensitive during the session or even days after is very normal. Even if you sought acupuncture for a physical ailment, an increase in emotional expression indicates that healing is happening. From an acupuncture point of view, the emotional and physical health is interconnected. This means any emotional shifts experienced are an indication that the physical changes are happening as well.
Fatigue
Some people often feel wiped out after their session with an Acupuncturist. At Naples Acupuncture, the most common result experienced is increased energy, but the “tired” effect may hang on a bit longer. This normally means that your body is depleted. Feeling fatigued after a session shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Nevertheless, it is a sign that your body needs to rest. If you have such experiences, consider taking it easy for the rest of the day. Make sure that you go to sleep early. By morning, the combination of rest and acupuncture will leave you feeling whole again.
Lightheadedness
This is extremely rare, although it can happen. Rarely, lightheadedness can even result in fainting. Attending a session on an empty stomach or getting up from the acupuncture table quickly can cause the lightheadedness. Eating is one of the most vital things you must do before your appointment.
If your session is over, be sure to take your time while getting up. Move gently as you get your belongings. You can even sit in the waiting room for a few minutes before going home.
Bruising
Bruising sometimes occurs at the needling site, despite the fact that the needles are like hair-thin fibers. This sometimes transpires as a result of a localized blood collection that is initiated immediately after the needle punctures your skin (a hematoma). These bruises tend to last longer, but they should not worry, you beyond the aesthetic inconvenience. Studies haven’t uncovered why some people often bruise from acupuncture. Such people will bruise no matter the needle size, brand or technique used. Others never experience bruising anywhere.
Twitching of the muscles
Anyone can experience involuntary muscle twitching after or during acupuncture. This often occurs in muscles that receive needles, but it can also happen on random parts of your body. The muscle twitching that one may experience is very different from the full-on muscle spasm. This is very rare and really never happens.
The benefits associated with acupuncture are so many and diverse that you will lose nothing by trying it out, Acupuncture treats your entire body emotionally, physically and even mentally. This is done through strengthening the body and mind connection.
Here are signs that you need acupuncture:
- You have chronic back or neck pain
Some people often seek out an acupuncturist in Naples FL because they are experiencing back and neck problems. Acupuncture has a cumulative effect, so give it a chance and have a few treatments. You can’t expect to have one session and then feel better immediately, although many people do. However, this doesn’t mean that you won’t feel pretty incredible after each session.
- You have irregular periods
No one can dispute the fact that acupuncture can positively influence your menstrual cycle. At the very least, acupuncture relieves stress and will provide the energy so that you will feel great. It facilitates the smooth flow of blood. A positive boost such as this will definitely contribute to a cycle that is healthier. Acupuncture is fantastic for infertility. Most patients get pregnant within a few weeks of acupuncture treatments.
- You have mysterious mood swings
Studies have shown that you can treat depression more effectively by getting acupuncture every week for at least three months. If your moods are always all over the place, be sure to find a Naples acupuncturist. The acupuncture needles will trigger the neurotransmitters that make you happy in the brain without triggering the nasty side effects associated with prescription medication.
- You lack sleep
Acupuncture addresses the body imbalances that are known for throwing off your usual sleep cycle. Though gentle, the needling will encourage your brain to provide more neurotransmitters that are responsible for relaxation and sleep. Most people with insomnia that have tried acupuncture report that their sleep has become more balanced. In case you haven’t slept well for a while, something might be going on in the body that can’t be treated via medication. Consider trying Naples Acupuncture.
- You wish to get rid of seasonal allergies without using medication
Allergic patients who have tried acupuncture have reported less runny nose and sneezing. Some of them have even stopped taking antihistamines. Others who don’t respond to shots or medications found relief. Acupuncture will treat allergy symptoms and also prevent them from getting to you. So how is this done? Acupuncture boosts your immune system naturally and treats the meridians around your spleen, large intestine, and thymus. The Lymphatic System is responsible for your immunity which defends the body against external pathogens. Acupuncture raises your immunity; this is why it is considered Preventative Medicine.