Once thought of as an ancient healing practice, today acupuncture is an acceptable and widely used treatment within the health and medical industry. In many instances, acupuncture can take the place of surgery or medication, and anyone with a health issue should consider looking into this procedure.
| Can acupuncture relieve my health problems? Yes, acupuncture can relieve many types of health issues including pain, injuries, sciatica, asthma, carpal tunnel, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and many other types of health complaints. |
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been used throughout the Far East for thousands of years and is one of the world's oldest healing practices. Chinese medicine believes that there is a life force or energy known as qi (pronounced chee), which flows through our body along meridians or pathways.
Qi is the balance of yin and yang, which are complementary opposites. Any imbalance, too much energy, too little energy or a blockage of energy, is thought to be the cause of illness.
Each meridian corresponds to a certain area of our body, and if that pathway is blocked, energy cannot flow freely. Certain health problems can be caused when energy is blocked along these pathways and acupuncture can unblock the flow of energy relieving the health problem.
Acupuncture is a series of procedures that use thin solid needles that are inserted into certain acupuncture points of the body along these meridians. The needles are used to stimulate the meridian pathways and unblock the flow of energy, restoring balance and health.
The Different Types of Acupuncture
There are many types of acupuncture, with the following types being the most widely used forms in the United States:
- The most common form of acupuncture is the Traditional Chinese Medicine form, which is based on the eight principles of complementary opposites.
- Moxibustion is a type of acupuncture that uses heated needles. The needles are heated by holding them near a burning moxa stick (dried wormwood).
- French energetic or French meridian acupuncture focuses on the meridian pathways.
- Korean hand acupuncture is based on the belief that our hands and feet have strong concentrations of qi energy. The acupuncturist will apply the needles to the areas of the hands or feet that correspond to the areas of the body that need restoring.
- Auricular acupuncturists believe that the ear represents our body and they will place the needles at certain points on the ear. This method has been used to treat certain addictions such as addiction to cigarettes.
- Myofascial based acupuncture involves the acupuncturist feeling the meridian lines for tender points. These tender points indicate areas of abnormal energy flow, which is where the needles will be placed.
- Japanese styles of acupuncture or meridian therapy use needling techniques and feeling of the meridians in diagnosis.
Health Conditions Acupuncture can Help
Acupuncture is now recognized by both the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health as a form of treatment for many illnesses. Acupuncture can relieve many types of health issues including:
- Fibromyalgia
- Asthma
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Lower back pain and sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Spinal injuries
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Nausea because of chemotherapy
- Urinary problems such as incontinence
- Allergies
- GERD
- PMS
- Sports injuries
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Muscle spasms, tics and tremors
- Sinusitis
- Bursitis
Acupuncture is Safe
Acupuncture is a safe and approved medical procedure. According to a 2007 National Health Interview study, an estimated 3 million adults and 150,000 children have used acupuncture in the previous year.
A large study reported that out of 34,407 acupuncture treatments, there were only 43 minor adverse reactions. No serious events were reported [1].
When looking for an acupuncturist, make sure they are licensed. You can find a qualified acupuncturist in your area through the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
About the Author
Copyright © 2014-2019 Sam Montana
Resources
[1] Research Gate
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
