We’ve all seen images of acupuncture, many times incorrectly depicted in the media, but few people in the United States really know or understand exactly what acupuncture or why it’s beneficial. Many people assume that acupuncture is only good for weight loss or to stop smoking, and most think the treatment will be painful, both of these assumptions untrue.
Acupuncture originated in China about two thousand of years ago and has been in practice throughout the world since. The process involves inserting a very thin needle into acupuncture points that run along the meridian of the body. Meridian’s correspond to an organ that governs specific functions in the body. The placement of the needles in these points helps regulate the flow of the body’s life force known as ‘Qi’ (pronounced Chee). These acupuncture points are described by Western medical professionals as places in the body where the nerves, connective tissues and muscles can be stimulated.
The needles used are very thin and sharp. Unlike hypodermic needles used for shots and taking blood, the ends of the acupuncture needles are not jagged therefore do not cause the pain associated with doctor’s needles. Most people who have had acupuncture report little or no pain when the needles are inserted. Every person reacts to treatment differently but the most common reactions are either feeling energized or feeling of relaxed. If a needle is improperly placed it can cause pain and soreness, this is only one of the reasons you need to ensure you acupuncturist is properly trained and licensed. The acupuncturist should be using sterile single-use disposable needles.
People seek acupuncture treatment for a myriad of afflictions, including the cessation of smoking and weight loss. The areas that have been proven to have the best results are for pain relief, anxiety, and stroke, diabetes, controlling side effects from cancer and AIDS/HIV treatment.
Using acupuncture for the treatment of pain has been widely beneficial to those who have suffered injuries in car accidents, suffer from migraines, have joint and muscle pain, dental pain and even rheumatoid arthritis. The use of acupuncture for pain control is thought to release chemicals in the brain that help to decrease pain in the patient. The World Health Organization has acknowledged the benefits in using acupuncture in for pain relief. Even the U.S. military has implemented the use of acupuncture in the field by teaching “Battlefield Acupuncture” to doctors that are being deployed, after studies have shown that the use of acupuncture before and during surgery greatly reduces need for prescription pain medications after.
Acupuncture has been shown to help with people who suffer anxiety and depression as well as a by-product of those disorders, insomnia. The use of acupuncture has been recommended for patients suffering from chronic or acute paralysis after stoke with significant improvement after four months of treatment.
This holistic treatment has been proven to be beneficial for patients suffering from fatigue and nausea resulting from the cancer treatments as well as aiding in the pain brought on by the disease. The same benefits have been felt by patients suffering from HIV/AIDS.
A properly trained acupuncturist often combines acupuncture with herbal remedies and massage. In order to get the best out of acupuncture treatment is it imperative that you make sure that you are seeing a licensed, fully trained professional. Some states allow MD’s and chiropractors to practice acupuncture with as little as 300 hours of training. The best qualified acupuncturists have attended one of the many fully accredited three-year college programs available throughout the country. The best way to ensure that you are seeing a licensed acupuncturist is to make sure that they have been certified by the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM).
