Acupuncture Therapy

Ancient Medicine, Modern Treatment for Healing Chronic Illnesses

What is Acupuncture?

“Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in traditional Chinese medicine.” National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

The Chinese name for acupuncture is Zhenjiu, meaning needle and moxa, the two main traditional ways used to stimulate an acupoint. The English word “acupuncture” comes from Latin word acu (needle) and punctura. (to puncture). Acupuncture is the treatment of illness by sticking needles in the skin in particular points on the body’s surface named acupoints. Modern acupuncturists also use infrared laser, ultrasound, magnets, electrical stimulation including microcurrent, and injections.

There is no single way that acupuncture works. Because it’s a whole-body therapy, it effects health in multiple ways. 

Are There Different Styles of Acupuncture?

There are three main styles of acupuncture: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, encompassing many different schools. Dr. Williams practices three therapeutic methods of acupuncture therapies:

Classical Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine – a tried and tested healthcare system that has been practiced for thousands of years in China and other countries in the Orient. It was developed, researched, and refined over the centuries. This long history gave us a complex and detailed understanding of the body’s function and bioenergetics.

Medical Acupuncture is an evidence-based approach that refers to the use of acupuncture as a therapy incorporated into a medical setting like a clinic, research facility, or hospital. Diagnosis is based on Western medical examination and analysis, including blood testing and imaging. Acupuncture needle insertion may be guided with ultrasound or assisted with therapeutic devices like micro-current or laser.

Biopuncture & Acupuncture Injection Therapy are similar but distinct types of injection therapies utilizing ultrafine hypodermic needles to deposit micro doses of homeopathic medicines, herbal extracts, and nutrients at specific sites, including acupoints, on the body.

Dr. Williams was among the first to teach acupuncture injection therapy and Biopuncture to physicians and medical doctors. 

What Conditions Respond to Acupuncture?

The World Health Organization lists 28 scientifically proven conditions effectively treated with acupuncture. An additional 63 others are listed with potential therapeutic effect.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

Restoring Body Balance

There is no single way that acupuncture works. Because it’s a whole-body therapy, it effects health in multiple ways.

Classical Effects

• Restores homeostasis (balances yin yang)
• Promotes self-healing (restores production and function of qi)
• Treats both the cause (root=ben) and effect (stem=biao)

Modern Effects

• Alleviation of physical and psychological stress
• Activation of immune response
• Promotes anti-inflammatory mechanisms
• Acceleration of tissue healing; increases protein synthesis
• Regulates normal electrophysiology
• Restores muscle, tendon, ligament, and fascia physiology
• Reduces the pain response

Scientific Effects
There is growing research evidence on the mechanisms of how acupuncture works. PubMed.gov lists over 26,800 studies on the subject.

• Promotes Mechanical Signaling Effects: When an acupuncture needle is rotated, it stimulates collagen fibers and connective tissue through mechanical signaling promoting cell reorganization and healing.
• Improves Gene Expression: A 2017 study found that acupuncture stimulation of ST36 influences gene expression in at least nine different organs. ST 36 stimulation also affected several diseases including arthritis, heart disease, and wound healing.
• Regulates the Autonomic Nervous System: Acupuncture stimulates a pathway system, referred to as the “somatoautonomic reflex.” Sensory information travels to the autonomic nervous system through this pathway to influence organ function.
• Influences Nitric Oxide: Specific acupoints display elevated levels of NO signaling molecules. This is one reason why a well-trained, and highly skilled acupuncturist treatments are so effective.
• Vagal Tone: Acupuncture effects are mediated through modulation of the vagus nerve to improve vagal tone and reduce inflammation. Acupoint stimulation produces anti-inflammatory responses in internal organs through enhanced vagal tone.
• Lymphatic and Extra Cellular Matrix: Needle stimulation activates fibroblasts, a type of stem cell, that are involved in tissue repair.

Dr. Williams’ Acupuncture Background

Dr. Williams began his acupuncture studies in 1976 in the Chinatowns of San Francisco and San Diego. He started within the Asian communities as part of his ethnographic research about different cultural approaches to healing. Consequently, he became fascinated with the ancient philosophy that guided Chinese medicine.

In 1978, he studied Japanese acupuncture for two years under Dr. Nobuyoshi Asano. Between 1980-82, he studied Chinese acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and Wu style tai chi with Dr. York Why Loo.

And in 1983, he was in the first graduating class of the San Diego Acupuncture College. In 1985, he received his Doctor of Oriental Medicine (OMD) from Sino-American Medical Research University in Los Angeles. In 1986, he completed hospital rotations at the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. He also holds National Board Certification in Chinese herbal medicine.

Dr. Williams was among the first to teach acupuncture injection therapy and Biopuncture to acupuncture physicians and medical doctors. He shares his knowledge with patients and students from all over the world. He has taught over the span of his professional career, including at:

• San Diego Acupuncture College
• Pacific College of Oriental Medicine
• East West College of Natural Medicine
• University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
• NOVA Southeastern University
• Emperor’s College of Oriental Medicine

Dr. Williams Is a Pioneer in Integrative Therapies & Functional Medicine.
He has practiced since 1983.

Contact Dr. Williams

Dr. Williams sees patients in Sarasota, Florida, as well as in San Diego and Los Angeles, California. He consults with patients from all over the world.

Make an Appointment in Sarasota: (941) 955-6220

Please visit the Contact page for more information.