Dr. Riley is a certified acupuncturist, practicing this 5,000 year old art and science for 21 years.

Q.  What is acupuncture?

Q.  Where does this interruption of energy flow occur?

A.  In either or both of two locations:  (1) in the channels of energy flow, which are called meridians, located throughout the body just beneath the skin surface:  (2) in the spinal column where vertebrae may become misaligned, thereby compressing vital nerve trunks.

Q. Are there other causes of disease besides interference with transmission of energy flow?

A.  Yes, of course.   Psychosomatic states, hereditary factors, poisons, adverse environmental conditions, injury, germs, malnutrition, etc., are all disease producing.

Q.  How is this disturbance in energy flow detected in the patient?

A.  By many methods, including certain signs, symptoms, pain spots, organ reflex points, meridian reflex points, and by pulse or instrument findings.

Q.  Assuming I'm going to take acupuncture treatments, how are they performed?

A.  First the related skin points are determined.  They they are appropriately treated by any of over thirty methods of stimulation, some of which are:
1) Long needle insertion (especially done in acupuncture anesthesia for surgery.
2) Short needle penetration.
3) Non-piercing needles.
4) Finger tip pressure (called shishin or "finger needles").
5) Metallic balls taped to the points.
6) Electrical stimulation.
7) Moxabustion (the burning of herbs over the points).

Q.  What are some of the conditions commonly treated by acupuncture?

A.  As a chiropractic physician, most patients present to my office for treatment of nerve - muscle - bone conditions.   The fact, however, is that most textbooks list over 200 conditions that may respond to acupuncture.

Q.  Out of say, 10 patients accepted for acupuncture health care, how many usually respond favorably?

A.  On the average, 8.  Two out of 10 fail to respond satisfactorily for a variety of reasons.  Advanced age, severity of the condition, irreversible tissue damage, etc., are deterrents to recovery.

Q.  Are spinal adjusting treatments necessary with acupuncture?

A.  Absolutely.   Spinal adjusting is part of acupuncture health care. World authorities, including Felix Mann, M.D., of England; Paul Nogler, M.D. of France; and Kunzo Nagayama, M.D., of Japan are very emphatic on this aspect of "getting well."  Dr. Mann states that many internal diseases are cured by the spinal adjustments alone.   Leaving the adjustment (chiropractic) out of the treatment plan invites failure.

Q.  Does Acupuncture have another name?

A.  Yes.  In fact the word acupuncture is incorrect because it implies needles only.  The proper wording is "Meridian Therapy," or Ching Lo Chi Liao in Chinese.  It was named "acupuncture" in the 16th century by Portuguese sailors who knew no better. The wrong name stuck.

Q.  In acupuncture (Meridian Therapy) are there other important factors besides skin point stimulation and vertebral adjusting?

A.  Yes, there are four laws to obey for those who desire health and longevity:
1) Proper nutrition.
2) Adequate rest.
3) Moderate exercise.
4) A positive mental attitude.

Reprinted, in part, from a publication by the Acupuncture Society of America