Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used
systems of healing in the world. Originating in China some 3,500 years
ago, only in the last three decades has it become popular in the United
States. In 1993, the Food and Drug Administration estimated that
Americans made up to 12 million visits per year to acupuncture
practitioners and spent upwards of half a billion dollars on acupuncture
treatments.
Traditional Chinese medicine hold that there are as many
as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, which are connected by 20
pathways (12 main, 8 secondary) called meridians. These meridians
conduct energy, or qi (pronounced "chi"), between the surface of the
body and its internal organs. Each point has a different effect on the
qi that passes through it.
Qi is believed to help regulate balance in the body. It is
influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang, which represent
positive and negative energy and forces in the universe and human body.
Acupuncture is believed to keep the balance between yin and yang, thus
allowing for the normal flow of qi throughout the body and restoring
health to the mind and body.
How Does It Work?
Several
theories have been presented as to exactly how acupuncture works. One
theory suggests that pain impulses are blocked from reaching the spinal
cord or brain at various "gates" to these areas. Since a majority of
acupuncture points are either connected to (or are located near) neural
structures, this suggests that acupuncture stimulates the nervous
system.
Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the body to
produce narcotic-like substances called endorphins, which reduce pain.
Other studies have found that other pain-relieving substances called
opiods may be released into the body during acupuncture treatment.
Does It Hurt?
Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and
hair-thin, and they are not designed to cut the skin. They are also
inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles, generally
no more than a half-inch to an inch depending on the type of treatment
being delivered.
While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people
feel only a minimal amount of pain as the needles are inserted. Some
people reportedly feel a sensation of excitement, while others feel
relaxed. If you experience significant pain from the needles, it may be a
sign that the procedure is being done improperly.
Is It Safe?
When practiced by a licensed, trained acupuncturist, acupuncture is
extremely safe. As a system of health care, acupuncture already has some
inherent safeguards. Because the treatment is drug-free, patients do
not have to worry about taking several doses of a medication or
suffering a possible adverse reaction.
Properly administered, acupuncture does no harm. However, there are
certain conditions you should notify an acupuncturist about before
undergoing treatment. If you have a pacemaker, for instance, you should
not receive electroacupuncture due to the possibility of electromagnetic
interference with the pacemaker. Similarly, if you have a tendency to
bleed or bruise easily, or if you are a hemophiliac, you may want to
consider a different type of care.
What Conditions Does It Treat?
In the late
1970s, the World Health Organization recognized the ability of
acupuncture and Oriental medicine to treat nearly four dozen common
ailments, including neuromusculoskeletal conditions (such as arthritis,
neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness, and neck/shoulder pain); emotional and
psychological disorders (such as depression and anxiety); circulatory
disorders (such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and
anemia); addictions to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs; respiratory
disorders (such as emphysema, sinusitis, allergies and bronchitis); and
gastrointestinal conditions (such as food allergies, ulcers, chronic
diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, intestinal weakness, anorexia and
gastritis).
In 1997, a consensus statement released by the National Institutes of
Health found that acupuncture could be useful by itself or in
combination with other therapies to treat addiction, headaches,
menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain,
osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma.
Other studies have demonstrated that acupuncture may help in the
rehabilitation of stroke patients and can relieve nausea in patients
recovering from surgery.
What Should I Expect On My First Visit?
As with most health practitioners, the first visit to an
acupuncturist usually begins with the practitioner taking a detailed
history. Since traditional Chinese medicine takes a more holistic
approach to patient care than Western medicine, you may be asked
questions that appear unimportant (questions about your sleep habits,
your ability to tolerate heat or cold, your dietary habits, etc.) but
are actually vital to the type of care you will receive.
After reviewing your history, the practitioner will begin diagnosing
your ailment. Depending on your condition, you may be subjected to an
examination of the tongue, as well as an examination of the pulse a
major diagnostic technique in traditional Chinese medicine.
