The earliest recorded mention of acupuncture as a medical intervention is contained in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic, c. 475 BCE. However, tools used for the practice of acupuncture have been discovered in sites dated as early as 13,000 BCE. Scholars currently hypothesize that the conceptualization and manipulation of the meridian system is thought to have begun earlier than 2070 BCE with the discovery of sophisticated needling implements made of jade and bronze.
Healing concepts and practices migrated along Silk Road trade routes between the east and west, as evidenced by Ötzi, the Ice Man, discovered in the Austrian Alps with tattoos of meridians and acupoints in several locations on his body (c. 3300 BCE). Ancient Ayurvedic texts also make mention of acupuncture and meridians. Over the centuries and many generations of people and cultures this ancient medicine has touched, millions of people have found healing and relief from their ailments.
The West was late to utilizing acupuncture techniques, in the face of the vast history that precedes Dutch traders first bringing acupuncture to Europe in the 1600’s; who encountered it in Japan. Electrostimulation of the acupuncture points was first applied in France in 1825. China adopted western allopathic medicine during the 1950’s and combined it with TCM to establish the first form of integrative medicine that is still successful in China today.
Acupuncture captured the interest of the American public after Nixon’s political delegation visited China. A reporter described acupuncture anesthesia in an NY Times article in the early 1970’s, launching a new era of interest in acupuncture in the US. Licensure for the practice of “Oriental Medicine” came about shortly thereafter to accommodate the many Chinese Medicine (CM) doctors practicing in their communities. They were otherwise being arrested for practicing medicine without a license until the unique licensure regulations passed into law.
As people outside of the Chinese, Korean, and Japanese communities of the U.S. found relief and better health through TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), they began to study and practice it themselves. Under the tutelage of family lineage CM doctors, these outsiders became practitioners in their own right. As interest grew in the US, colleges specific to the study of TCM became prevalent. First a Master’s degree in TCM was established, with most requiring 1200 hours of study and clinical practice to become a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). In the early 2000’s a clinical doctorate (DAOM) was established to address the growing expertise of the providers of TCM.
In Florida, Acupuncture Physicians (AP) or Doctors of Oriental Medicine (DOM), enjoy a robust scope of practice that includes many of the same modalities available to TCM doctors in China, as well as being considered primary care. Since the advent of acupuncture licensure, several western medical providers have still tried to pick and choose from the rich resources of CM, some modalities have been legislated into their respective scopes of practice commonly as “dry needling” (as little as 12 hrs of training with the incumbent medical errors) or “medical acupuncture” (MDs train for about 250 hours). As a profession, CM doctors and L.Ac.’s work tirelessly to preserve the practice of this discrete system of medicine. The yin-yang symbol (TaiJi) describes the synergy of CM illustrating that the parts create a greater whole. It is preventative medicine at it’s roots as seen by its perseverance through time and flourishing in many diverse cultures.
Acupuncture Points
During the 1950’s simple feedback loop systems were developed to detect subtle electrical variations on the skin that tend to align with acupuncture points. Preliminary research into the physiological structures that constitute the meridian system and acupuncture points was developed, but remained inconclusive until about 2012 with Helene Langevin’s research. She and others have discovered that fibroblasts and other nano structures respond to various acupuncture techniques in a unique way.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065718/
Electrostimulation of acupuncture points gained popularity and consistency of practice during the 1950’s in China and Japan. The most sophisticated electrostim machines are battery operated and can conduct micro-currents with a programmable sweep of amplitude and frequency that encourage the body to heal and muscles to release the tension of spasm. Refinement of these currents is valued in TCM as more closely aligned to the body’s own subtle bio-electrical currents. “Zapping” the muscles with strong currents is regarded as a sure way to weaken the muscle and deplete inherent vitality over time.
Laser Acupuncture technology has come along as a viable painless treatment method, first developed in the Czech Republic in the 1970’s. Low-level light or cool laser is effective as a wand-type single-point lens that can cover a wider area of skin surface. Newer technology from Germany, which Dr. Hackett applies in her clinic, uses fiber optic leads that attach gently to the skin with single use leads for an individualized treatment similar to receiving traditional acupuncture, except the tool is light instead of surgical steel.
Acupuncture is an ancient healing modality that doctors of Chinese Medicine have developed multiple styles and techniques of over centuries of collective practice. All of the techniques Dr. Hackett uses involve the utilization of filiform needles to stimulate the body’s natural healing response at various points on the body.
Distal – use of acupuncture points that are located below the elbow or knee to create a systemic shift in the body. This technique works for pain, emotional balance, and chronic illness. The needle depth varies from superficial to intramuscular.
Ashi – “Ashi” means “where it hurts” in Chinese and equivocates to trigger points in western medical parlance. Typically the the needling depth is intramuscular to aid the release of muscle spasms.
Systems – a variety of body points are used, selected on the basis of TCM diagnosis techniques. There are several types of diagnosis within the discrete system of Chinese medicine, each of which developed over centuries of thought and practice.
Japanese – (Toyahari) – the use of a thin, blunted needle above the skin surface to subtly stimulate the meridian flow without penetration of the skin. Effective for children, very sensitive people, and elders with papery skin.
Auricular – the use of points on the ear lobe as a body map, similar to the foot or hand in reflexology, to effect a stand alone treatment (pain, addiction) or as an adjunct to body points.
Advanced Dry Needling is a method that includes “dry needling” (Ashi acupuncture) in conjunction with distal points selected to support the resolution of pain and muscle spasm.
During the 1940’s a physical therapist used syringes without any injectable substance to stick into muscles spasms. This rudimentary procedure is very painful. Physical therapists have since started using acupuncture needles, but their training is at a low level (about 12 – 20 hours) for this invasive procedure and illegal in many states (including Florida) for this reason. Needling technique is an art and a science. Fundamental to the successful resolution of muscle spasms and a more comfortable procedure is training (1200 – 4000 hrs for an L.Ac or DAOM) and experience. Dr. Hackett has been practicing acupuncture professionally since 2005.
The NCCAOM designation assures that diplomates have the proper training and clean-needle technique to safely perform a variety of needling therapies appropriate to the presenting symptoms. Dr. Hackett has about 4,000 hours of training in acupuncture and clinical herbal medicine and is has the NCCAOM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine designation.
Acupuncture point injection (also known as acupoint injection therapy, biopuncture) entails the injection of small amounts of homeopathic saline and/or orthomolecular solutions (e.g., B, F, and K vitamins, amino acids) into acupuncture points/trigger points by specifically trained and qualified acupuncturists, like Dr. Hackett. Similar to acupuncture, fine gauge syringes are inserted into acupuncture points or trigger points just under the skin or into muscles to safely deliver non-toxic, nutritive support for your body to heal itself.
AIT is excellent for immune support, resolution of allergies, hair and skin rejuvenation, inflammation reduction, and pain relief. It is also a safe, effective way to relieve the discomfort of autoimmune symptoms and cancer treatment. Homeopathic preparations used in individualized combinations do not interfere with any medications you currently take.
Laser acupuncture is a painless yet effective, needle-free treatment. It is especially good for people who have thinning skin or skin hypersensitivity due to medications or fear of needles.
No heat is generated with this cold laser technique, therefore there is no tissue damage. It is a 635nm red laser and is the same wavelength as a healthy human cell. It is a good treatment option for people who are immunocompromised, laser acupuncture is completely sanitary since the skin is never punctured.
Clear + Brilliant and Permea
Non-oblative. fractional laser for skin rejuvenation and resurfacing. This technique utilizes a ‘hot’ laser to stimulate collagen production using a specially designed tip over the laser lens to create mini needles of light. Instead of several small needles painstakingly applied all of the face, fewer session are required yielding a greater net result of refined, smooth, and velvety soft skin.
After you complete an intake form, Dr. Hackett will discuss your health history, what your health goals are, and explain a preliminary treatment plan. You will also receive an acupuncture treatment. The more information you provide, the better your outcome is likely to be. Dr. Tracy has a saying “there is no such thing as complaint here, it’s all data collection to get your best possible result.”
Acute injuries and conditions tend to resolve more quickly with treatment, while chronic conditions tend to take longer to resolve especially if you are taking medications.
Acupuncture treatment is cumulative in effect. The body somatizes experiences or somehow ‘remembers’ the previous treatments creating a synergy of previous effects. People tend to relax more deeply as their treatment plan progresses and many even sleep during treatment.
Supplements and/or herbal formulas are given parsimoniously. Dr. Hackett thinks that “supplements” should not be “permanents”. The most pressing conditions are treated first with as few supplements as possible. As the symptoms resolve, she treats each set of symptoms as they arise.
TCM principles of healing are at their basis about treating the individual, just as they are at each visit. The body is different everyday. Dr. Hackett looks at your conditions anew each time she treats you. Lab work is oftentimes helpful to objectively monitor changes you could experience during your treatment. There are a variety of effective lab measures available at HHH that add to the information you get from a regular annual blood test.
There are very few contraindications for acupuncture treatment. The main one is getting treatments from an under-qualified provider. There are several professions that dabble in acupuncture therapies, but none have the training that a licensed acupuncturist does.
Dr. Hackett has over 4,000 hours of training and has studied in San Francisco with mainly Chinese doctors, as well as study in TCM hospitals in China. She understands the application of several types of needling techniques. Some conditions require a lighter style of needling while others require a heavier technique. Get the best care by selecting a specialist in needling therapies. Wouldn’t you rather see a doctor of OM who has discovered new and effective acupuncture points anyway? Dr. Hackett has. She has written and will soon publish her paper on 25 of 30 acupuncture points she has discovered during her clinical practice.
Needling is not recommended into most areas of the body that have abnormal swelling or unusually poor circulation. She does not needle into wounds, scars, or bruises.
Acupuncture stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal itself, therefore it supports the body in the resolution of any type of condition. The caveat to that statement lies in how chronic the condition being treated is and how robust your health is at the beginning of treatment. Please consult with Dr. Hackett if you have any questions about your particular situation, especially if you have a complex health history.
After your initial intake and treatment, Dr. Hackett will recommend a treatment plan that may or may not include supplements and herbal formulas. Some minor conditions (like cold onset symptoms or sprains) will resolve in one to three treatments close together, usually within a week to ten days.
More severe injuries or chronic pain will likely take longer. The first two treatments should be within one week. The follow up treatment schedule is determined by how quickly you respond to treatment, whether or not you re-injure yourself, or how chronic the disease symptoms are. Sometimes flare-ups of symptoms are part of the healing process, especially if you have systemic inflammation or concomitant illnesses. Dr. Hackett takes all of these things into account to provide you with the fastest and most comfortable results.
Prevention and maintenance are part of the longevity management aspect of your treatment plan. Once your most troubling symptoms have resolved, more minor issues can be treated on a bi-weekly or monthly basis. Some patients opt to schedule if they start to experience a flare-up of symptoms. This is recommended if you can catch the earliest signs of a flare-up and get in for treatment right away. Fewer follow-up treatments are required the earlier we nip symptoms in the bud.
Be assured that your treatment plan is results driven at HHH.