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