What should I expect in my AcuGraph exam?
The exam itself is brief and comfortable. You will need to remove your shoes
and socks, and sit or lie comfortably during the exam. You will hold a metal
bar in one hand, and your practitioner will touch a probe lightly to your skin
in various spots on your hands and feet. During the exam, you will hear the
computer produce tones that mean the exam is progressing properly. The entire
exam takes about 2 minutes.
During the report of the findings after the exam
is through, Dr. Wilson will give you information
about the system of energies in your body and
describe possible correlations between energy level
in TCM organ meridians and human health conditions.
[See TCM Organ
systems and physical/mental function.] The
treatments that he and you choose may or may not
include acumeridian therapies. However, all
treatments will have a beneficial effect on the
autonomic nervous
system.
Is AcuGraph Safe?
AcuGraph uses a tiny electric current to test the conductivity of each of your
acupuncture meridians. This electrical current is extremely safe for infants,
children, adults and the elderly alike. In fact, the only safety concern at all
is when there is a pacemaker or other implanted medical device present. In that
case, the AcuGraph exam is not performed.
Will I feel anything?
Yes. The tip of the probe will be moist, so you will feel the moisture where the
probe touches your skin. But it’s very unlikely you’ll feel the electric current.
It’s far too small to be felt in most cases.
What will I learn from the AcuGraph exam?
The AcuGraph exam will show you the balance of energy in your acupuncture meridians.
This balance, or lack of balance, is an important key to understanding the state of
your health and potential health issues. Your practitioner will help you understand
the exam results in the context of your current condition.
Dr. Wilson describes the Acugraph as giving a
snapshot of your body in action. He encourages his
patients to study various health care systems,
including
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
If I have energy imbalances, does it mean I’m sick?
Not necessarily. It only means there is an imbalance. According to acupuncture
theory, energy imbalances in your meridians, left untreated, may lead to health
problems. That’s why it’s important to locate and correct imbalances—before they
become severe.
Dr. Wilson points out that
"dysautonomia", or impaired function of the
autonomic nervous
system can be present before the development of
obvious physical concerns. You can look at this
description of
autonomic
nervous system stressors and begin to make plans
to remove those from your life.
Is one exam enough?
In general, you’ll start with your first exam to establish a baseline, and than
have at least one follow-up exam to track your progress. Most likely you will
have several AcuGraph exams over the course of several weeks.
How often should I have an AcuGraph exam?
Once your initial imbalances are corrected, it’s a good idea to follow up
occasionally—so you can catch problems before they grow. Your acupuncture
practitioner will recommend how often you should be checked.
