What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a type of treatment that is rooted in ancient Chinese medical practice. It aims to relieve a patient’s pain by inserting small needles into specific areas of the body, known as acupuncture points. These points may be at the site of pain, as well as at distant sites that may be contributing to a patient’s pain. The proper needle placement combination has the potential to decrease pain and inflammation, stiffness, and muscle spasm in some individuals. The effectiveness of acupuncture is attributed to the release of endorphins, which are pain-relieving hormones, into the body. Patients who are suffering from pain that is non-responsive to conventional treatments may experience relief from acupuncture treatment.

History of acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used as a treatment modality for over 3,000 years in China and throughout Asia. While this therapy does indeed have an ancient history, it has become both accepted and prescribed as an effective treatment for many painful conditions.

Both the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization has acknowledged acupuncture as an effective treatment modality for conditions involving pain and nausea.

The principle behind this therapy involves a type of energy called qi. The qi flows along acupuncture channels or meridians of the body. There are 12 meridians on the body that are divided into two groups—yin and yang, representing masculine and feminine. There are three yang meridians of the upper extremities, three yang meridians of the lower extremities, three yin meridians of the lower extremities, and three yin meridians of the upper extremities. There are eight additional meridians that are not designated yin or yang. Block ages and imbalances in the flow of qi result in disease and symptoms. The flow of qi can be corrected by inserting fine needles at specified points along the meridians.

Acupuncture was first in the spotlight of the U.S. public in 1971. A New York Times reporter named James Reston was covering Henry Kissinger on a trip to China in 1971 and fell ill to acute appendicitis. His appendix was removed in a modern Chinese hospital using general anesthesia. However for his post-surgical pain he was offered and accepted this therapy to help alleviate his symptoms. He wrote an article in the NY Times July 25th 1971 detailing his experience.

Types Of Acupuncture

There are various types of acupuncture that are being utilized currently, including traditional, electroacupuncture, laser, and finger or manual therapies.

Traditional acupuncture involves inserting needles into strategic places on the body in order to stimulate increased circulation and the release of endorphins. Electroacupuncture utilizes the same principles as traditional; however, it involves using either electrically charged needles, or electrical pads that deliver a small amount of electric current to the areas of the body where the needles or pads are positioned. It is believed that electroacupuncture enhances the effects of traditional therapy.

Laser acupuncture uses laser beams to stimulate muscle tissues, which accelerates the recovery process by increasing circulation. Furthermore, laser acupuncture increases the strength of damaged tissues in some individuals. Finger or manual forms of therapy replaces the needles, electrical pads, or laser beams with specific finger placements.

Are there any risks?

The risks associated with this treatm