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