What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture refers to the insertion of special needles through the skin into underlying tissues at strategic points known as acupuncture points. Acupuncture is used to alleviate pain and to treat many diseases. It has been practiced in China for more than two thousand years. In that time, more people have been successfully treated with acupuncture than with all other health modalities combined. Acupuncture is currently practiced in Asia and Europe. It is becoming more widely practiced in the United States. Acupuncture treatments can be given in conjunction with conventional Western medicine.
What conditions are treated?
Acupuncture may be used as an adjunct to other medical treatments in many disorders. The World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture may benefit a wide range of medical problems. Typical conditions treated are: anxiety/depression, arthritis, asthma, sciatica, indeterminate aches and pains, eczema, sports injuries, allergies and hay fever, migraine, menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal problems infertility and pregnancy management and delivery. It has proven useful in systematic relief of side effects caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Finally it is also used in a preventative manner to keep the body functioning optimally and the immune system healthy and active.
How does acupuncture work?
According to principles of traditional Chinese medicine, vital energy, known as Qi, flows through a complex system of meridians throughout the body and maintains health and life. The body is viewed as a dynamic system of organs connected by the flow of Qi within the meridians. Illness results from the improper flow of Qi through the meridians.
The proper flow of Qi may be restored by the insertion of fine needles at properly selected combinations of the 365 classical acupuncture points, which are located along the meridians. The improved energy flow produced by acupuncture results in stimulation of the body's natural healing abilities and promotion of physical well-being.
Modern scientific research suggests that needling acupuncture points stimulates the body to release chemicals into the nervous system and into the bloodstream. These chemicals change the experience of pain and trigger the release of other chemicals which influence the body's internal regulatory systems.