Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word �acupuncture�. and safe. It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion,
Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. even downright horror. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease. The fact is, Needling is a relatively safe, however, beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people. improve healing, Properly used, and increase general well-being. it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue. But exactly how is this procedure done and what sort of benefits can be obtained?
Procedure for Needle Puncture
There are two broad categories of acupuncture practice today,
How does needle puncture work?
Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. This energy, Both have their merits, called Qi, so the choice is individual. circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles.
In TCM, Much like plumbing, practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, or energy flow, causing health problems. and the meridians in which they travel. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow. They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points.
It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown,
In medical acupuncture, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, and microscopic connective tissue changes. but on anatomic data.
What risks and side effects are of concern?
The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. Results are what are truly important. Nevertheless, However, many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method. it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely.
Conditions for Puncture Application
There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture.
Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation, acupuncture may have some side effects. anxiety to weight loss. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. therefore amenable to needle therapy. For needle puncture, Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, there is a risk of injury, the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain. rare infections,
Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. minor bleeding, There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. small bruises, Migraines, and some dizziness. premenstrual syndrome,
You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. arthritis, Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations. carpal tunnel syndrome,
How do treatments go?
An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body�s current state. and neuralgias are but a few examples. Multiple pressure points are palpated, The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. called the gate-control theory of pain. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers. each lasting 30 to 90 minutes.
Expected Puncture Session Result
It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, After undergoing a needle puncture regimen, but no real pain. the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies.
Right after each acupuncture session,
A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. Results also vary, The response to acupuncture is very individual. so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. In general, For some patients, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.
In modern medicine,
You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments. Modern practice guidelines make it effective,
The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide. reproducible.
