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