The Energetic Duo

The Energetic Duo

By John L. Stump, DC, PhD, EdD

Did you know Acupuncture and Chiropractic care compliment each other and are a great natural paring to help you get well?

Combining ancient acupuncture and Chiropractic (Tuna) has long been a remedy for structural malfunctions in Asia. In Asia they are termed Acupuncturist or Acupuncture practitioners. They have to go to 4 years of Acupuncture College just like Chiropractors have to go 4 years of Chiropractic College. However, recently Chiropractors who have been treating neck, back and other structural pains of the body with specific manipulations of tissue for over a hundred years, have started combining the two methods where and when they are needed.

I discovered more than 40 years ago the effectiveness of each, Chiropractic and then Acupuncture when I was selected to be a team physician for the Korean Olympic teams in 1986 and 1988. It was then that I studied acupuncture in Asia to allow me the time to understand the ancient art and science of manipulation of meridian energy. Just as Chiropractors manipulate body tissues by an adjustment, Acupuncturist manipulates body energies with the needle or various other means.  Chiropractic removes mechanical obstructions and acupuncture removes energetic obstructions. The two worked together, the forces are called Yin and Yang in the human body, coming from the Yang being positive energy and Yin being negative energy. The acupuncturist learns to balance these energies for good health and wellness in the body.

There are different methods of adjustments used in chiropractic, the same holds true for acupuncture methods. Some acupuncturist use micro-stimulation and laser and some are straight needle acupuncturist (purist). I studied from the doctors in China, Japan and Korea interested in progress, discovery and understanding; as such during martial arts and sports events like the 1988 Olympics we started combining the philosophies, techniques and procedures of the two healing arts.

Today, it is almost standard for the model we established 40 years ago to be utilized as the Chiropractor (D.C.) incorporates acupuncture into the procedures used in the holistic office.  The Chiropractor is now trained to be able to modify between acupuncture and chiropractic treatment procedures that you may require for your injury or illness.  By merging the combination of the ancient (acupuncture) with the modern (chiropractic) the D.C. is now very much able to care for many patients typically rarely seen in a Chiropractic office; like diabetic neuropathy, Bell’s Palsy, Stroke and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD/IBS). The D.C. with acupuncture certification can now treat the neurological condition from both the nutritional and acupuncture aspects in addition to chiropractic.

Many people are frightened when you mention acupuncture but only one procedure uses the long needle technique. There is laser acupuncture and needle-less acupuncture where you just run the meridian with the doctor’s hand/fingers. It is what we call Applied Kinesiology (AK), using finger pressure and stimulation to specific points on the body to stimulate or sedate an area, muscle or connective tissue. AK actually is the procedure that connects science and the methodology that should be used to correct the problem; chiropractic, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, laser, massage, etc.

The very diligent D.C. will then employ nutritional protocols to follow-up, and use nutritional advice to supplement diet changes suggested. This is the procedure I have been using for over 40 years with great success.  Dr. Michelle Patrick, my associate, is adding acupuncture to her already very successful Chiropractic practice. This will be in full certification mode by the New Year (‘18).  Then it is just a matter of time to use and get the experience needed for the Yin and Yang to begin to function together for the benefit of each patient like yourself.