|
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the ancient art of placing tiny needles in exact acupuncture points to achieve therapeutic effect. Acupuncture is a branch of Oriental Medicine and its base on the same theoretical principals.
How old is acupuncture?
How far acupuncture goes back is not know, but we know than in Stone Age, stone needles were used to treat humans and animals. Acupuncture was first described in the Huang Ti Nei Ching. That book describes a conversation between Emperor Huang Ti and doctor Chi Po. If acupuncture was practiced in time of Huang Ti, then it is at least 5000 years old.
How does it work?
There is no clear explanation in Western Allopathic terms, because neither of them can adequately explain all diverse therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment. These are some of the most popular theories. Neurophysiologic experiments have shown that acupuncture modifies the transition of neural impulses between the spinal cord and the brain. This theory postulates that the action of pain fibers in the spinal cord is blocked by acupuncture needles. Other studies say that acupuncture releases endorphins; brain hormones produced by the body as a response to stress. Endorphins induce a euphoric sense of well-being. Some people believe that acupuncture is a result due to hypnotic suggestion. I personally feel that acupuncture is almost like a workout. When we workout in the gym, we get muscle soreness, but the next day, muscles become stronger. The same goes for acupuncture, when needles insert in the body we have similar to workout sensation in the area of insertion. And in the next few days we are getting improvements of the symptoms.
Is it safe?
Yes. Studies show that acupuncture accidents very rarely occur if the practitioner is a graduate from accredited college of Oriental Medicine and certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
What conditions does acupuncture treat?
The World Health Organization of the United Nations has listed 68conditions for which it considers acupuncture appropriate. These are some of them:
Addictions, Allergies, Arthritis, ADD, Asthma, Bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, TMJ, Depression, Diabetes, Fibromyalgia, Gynecological Dysfunction, Infertility, Joints Pain, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Sciatica, Sport Injuries, Stomach Problems.
Is the needles clean?
Yes. The standard in the US is that any and all acupuncture needles and instruments that penetrates the skin or is brought into contact with mucous membranes must be sterile. It is recommended to use disposable needles in acupuncture practice.
How many treatments will it take to get results?
It varies from person to person. Some need only one session, while others need weeks or months of therapy. It deepens on how long a person has had the problem, and how severe the problem is. In general, acute conditions require fewer treatments than chronic. For some conditions acupuncture may be done every day, for some as little as twice a month.
How long the acupuncture procedure does takes?
Usually a session lasts an hour, depending on the style of acupuncture being used. Also it's depends on patient age, level of physical fitness and spiritual condition.
Are there any side effects?
After having acupuncture patient see improvement in their total being, more than they expected. From my personal experience the only side effect I see is positive effect beyond the targeted area.
Can children receive acupuncture?
Yes. In China, children were treated as adults until the late 200 AD, when medical textbooks begin to include separate charts for treatments of children with acupuncture. Western medicine distinguished children from adults in 1920s. |