Acupuncture is grounded on the hypothesis that there is energy, referred to as qi or chi, running through the body. Chi is believed to stream along energy tracks called meridians. Acupuncturists think that obstruction or instability of the flow of chi at any spot on a pathway may cause disease. Chinese medicine practitioners suggest acupuncture releases and re-balances the influx of chi to reestablish wellness.
Individuals often apply acupuncture to control pain. Western medical investigators who have researched acupuncture suggest that it may decrease pain throughout the body hormones that have sedating effects (opioid peptides), or by affecting secretory organs (like the hypothalamus) that create chemicals which the body employs.
Chinese acupuncture is generally carried out by putting extremely thin needles into the skin at specific points of the body to regulate energy flow along the body's meridians. Additional forms of acupuncture may utilize heat, pressure, or gentle electrical current to induce energy flow along the meridians.
Uses of Acupuncture
Individuals employ acupuncture to keep pain down and deal with certain health issues. A person may use it by itself or as part of a therapy regimen. Investigators have witnessed promising results for the application of acupuncture in caring for nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post-surgery discomfort. Acupuncture also may be helpful for:
Stroke therapy, which involves relearning skills that an individual lost due to brain injury from a cerebrovascular accident (stroke). Studies demonstrate that adding acupuncture to conventional therapy leads to significant, long-term relief from persistent headaches (cephalalgias), particularly migraines.
They also relieve:
- Menstrual cramps.
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).
- Fibromyalgia, or generalized pain and tenderness of muscular tissue and soft tissues.
- Myofascial painfulness, produced by muscle spasm.
- Degenerative arthritis, or the collapse of the tissue (cartilage) that protects and cushions articulations (joints). A recent study determined that acupuncture actually decreases knee discomfort and enhances motion of the knee in individuals with degenerative arthritis.
- Lower back pain.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, or force on a nerve in the radiocarpal joint (wrist) that leads to tingling, numbness, fatigue, or pain of the fingers and arm.
Asthma, or infection in the pipes that transport air to the lungs, resulting in cyclic episodes of trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and heavy coughing can also be treated using acupuncture.
Safety and Acupuncture
In general, acupuncture is dependable whenever performed by a qualified acupuncturist. A state permit ascertains that the acupuncturist has some level of training and abides by specific practice regulations. However, there are a few states in which acupuncture is not commissioned for use.
In rare instances, complications or unfavorable occurrences can happen. If the acupuncturist uses non-sterilized needles, there's a chance of getting infected. However, acupuncturists today throw away their needles following single use.
Make sure the acupuncturist you see uses antiseptic or disposable needles. Talk with the health professional in case you have other inquiries concerning the safety of acupuncture.
Acupuncture can be an important therapy for specific health problems. The doctor can recommend it along with standard medical therapy for many disorders.
Always tell the doctor if you are going through an alternative treatment or if you are considering combining an alternative treatment with your standard medical therapy. It may not be a good idea to discontinue the standard medical therapy and rely exclusively on alternative rehabilitation.
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References:
"Acupuncture." (2006). Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics. 48; (1234): 38–39.
Nolting MH. (2006). "Acupuncture." In: JE Pizzorno Jr, MT Murray. "Textbook of Natural Medicine." 3rd edition. 309–315. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
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