What is Acupuncture?
Traditional Chinese Medicine Used in Healing Illnesses and Injury
Acupuncture is gaining acceptance as an adjunct treatment for a variety of chronic health conditions. This overview introduces readers to this ancient Chinese practice.
Acupuncture is one of several holistic approaches used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). "TCM seeks to strengthen and/or adjust the flow of energy (Qi, pronounced "chee") in an unhealthy, or unbalanced body," writes Dr. Cathay Fung of Kansas City, Missouri. Restoring balance of all organs and systems throughout the body is the primary goal of TCM. This balance is the often-quoted phrase, Yin-Yang.
Acupuncture involves applying hair-thin needles to specific points on the body to treat illness. The points are targeted at the suspected source(s) of illness in an effort to restore positive energy flow. For example, a patient suffering from nausea may have needles placed on the wrist, while other ailments may target the ear, scalp, or hands. Practitioners believe, and experience has shown, that "the treatment stimulates the body's internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response," explains Dr. Fung.
What to Expect
The first visit to an acupuncturist is much like any initial doctor's visit. A thorough medical history will be taken, your pulse is checked (for quality, strength and rhythm), your tongue is examined (for structure, color and coating), notes are made about how your breath smells, and, depending upon your symptoms, how certain parts of your body feel. You will be asked about your lifestyle, eating and sleeping habits, digestion and circulation, and emotional responses. The practitioner considers your history and symptoms holistically, rather than in isolation, to develop a complete understanding of your condition.
You may have your first treatment after this consultation. Regular, weekly or bi-weekly visits are usually recommended until the condition is stabilized. The treatment involves inserting between one and 15 needles under the skin (while it can be felt, it rarely hurts) for 15 to 40 minutes. Sometimes herbs may be burned, or gentle electrical impulses may be used to increase the therapeutic effect of the treatment. Reactions vary among patients, ranging from tingling sensations, numbness, to nothing at all. Most find the treatment relaxing and often fall asleep during the session.
East Meets West
Acupuncture gained gradual acceptance in western culture during the 1970s, as patients sought more natural approaches to health care. Since then, acupuncture has gained wider acceptance within the medical community as well. In 1997, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reviewed hundreds of studies, concluding that acupuncture is an effective treatment for postoperative pain after dental surgery, and for nausea caused from cancer treatment, pregnancy, and anesthesia. The NIH also recognized acupuncture as beneficial in treating other conditions, including fibromyalgia, stroke recovery, headache, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Additional recognition has come from the World Health Organization (WHO), which recognizes acupuncture and TCM's effectiveness in treating over 43 common disorders. A few include: gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological disorders, such as irregular periods, infertility, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopause. Acupuncture has also proven effective in treating respiratory and circulatory problems, nervous system disorders, addictions, eye, ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems, and a host of other ailments.
If you think acupuncture may help your health, select a practitioner as carefully as you would a traditional medical professional. Ask about their education, training, licensing, and referrals. Find out if they are willing to work in conjunction with your other health care providers, as TCM treatments can interact with other medications.
Reference:
Much of this article is based upon discussions with Kansas, Missouri-based MD Dr. Cathay Fung and her self-published article, "A Holistic View of Human Health and Illness."
