What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is a system of medicine that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. It is in use today around the world as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has become integrated into Western medicine as well. It is even in use in some hospitals as a form of anesthesia.
What is acupuncture used for?
According the Chinese Medicine, disease sets in when there are blocks in the circulation in the channels. Good health is maintained when the chi is placed into a state of balance. Chi is not measurable by electrical or other scientific instruments, but clinical trials have shown the efficacy of treatment. The mechanism of effectiveness of acupuncture is not known, but research shows an effect on neurotransmitters
What is acupuncture treatment like?
Treatments with Chinese Medicine follow a few common features. Treatment follows the pulses on twelve primary pathways, or meridians, that circulate energy in the body. The theory of Chinese medicine explains that the pathways that circulate the energy, or “chi” can be best accessed through specific points, which act like gates. Acupuncturists seek to create a balanced flow by clearing energy blocks, and balancing the energy through the various channels. Treatments utilize extremely fine needles and most patients find that acupuncture does not hurt. It is less painful as pricking yourself with a needle.
Another acupuncture technique involve the use of herbs, called moxa. Moxibustion uses burning herbs or herbal pastes placed in the various acupuncture points. A technique called “cupping” uses vacuum cups placed on the body to draw out toxins and increase circulation.
Clinical trials have provided scientific evidence that acupuncture is safe; in fact, it is even indicated and prescribed to numerous conditions, such as nausea, vomiting, and post-operative dental pain. Acupuncture has been used to treat fibromyalgia, the nausea of chemotherapy, arthritis, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Research by Western scientists has been able to measure the points with scientific instruments, and have found that the points correlate with known (to Western practitioners) assessment of the body and its anatomical features. Acupuncture points have been shown to emit a type of light that was detected by laboratory equipment. Another instrument was able to detect ions flowing in patterns called, “ionic streambeds”. The patterns correspond with the patterns of the Chinese meridians.
What are the types of acupuncture?
There are many different types of acupuncture. The most common is practiced as Traditional Chinese Medicine, which combines acupuncture with the use of Chinese herbal medicine. Classical Acupuncture is known as Five Elements Acupuncture and uses different type of needling and does not use herbs. Japanese acupuncture utilizes smaller needles than the traditional style. Some practitioners use needles only in the ears- a technique called Auricular Acupuncture. You can even find treatments that use electricity attached to the needles, in a technique called Electroacupuncture.
Acupuncture anesthesia has been practiced in China since the 1960s. More recently, practitioners are using Acupuncture analgesia, which activates the body’s own systems of pain relief. In this manner, acupuncture is used after surgery for pain management.
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. Practitioners use the same points on the body to treat patients, but use finger and palm pressure and other bodywork techniques, rather than needles that are commonly used in acupunctures.
Shiatsu is a bodywork system that uses a similar system of diagnostis and treatment. The word shiatsu means finger pressure, and treatment involves applying pressure to acupoints along the meridians.
The National Certification Commission certifies acupuncturists for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To be a member requires over 200 hours of training and two years of clinical practice. The organization administers a national exam. You can find board-certified acupuncturist at their site, NCCAOM.com.