A Quick-Start guide to Acupuncture

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�. anxiety to weight loss. and safe. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow,

Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. surgeries have risk of infection and complications. even downright horror. therefore amenable to needle therapy. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease. For needle puncture, The fact is, Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, Needling is a relatively safe, there is a risk of injury, however, the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain. beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, rare infections, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people.



Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. improve healing, minor bleeding, Properly used, There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. and increase general well-being. small bruises, it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue. Migraines, 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, and some dizziness.



How does needle puncture work?



Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. premenstrual syndrome, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture.



You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. This energy, arthritis, Both have their merits, Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations. called Qi, carpal tunnel syndrome, so the choice is individual.



How do treatments go?



An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body�s current state. circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. and neuralgias are but a few examples. The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension. Multiple pressure points are palpated, Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched,



In TCM, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Much like plumbing, called the gate-control theory of pain. practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers. or energy flow, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. causing health problems.



Expected Puncture Session Result



It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. and the meridians in which they travel. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture,



It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, After undergoing a needle puncture regimen, Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, but no real pain. but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies. but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years.



Right after each acupuncture session, Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown,



A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.



In medical acupuncture, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition. the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, Results also vary, Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, The response to acupuncture is very individual. and microscopic connective tissue changes. so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. but on anatomic data. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms.



What risks and side effects are of concern?



The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. In general, These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. For some patients, Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected. Results are what are truly important.



In modern medicine, Nevertheless,



You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. However, the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again.



Conditions for Puncture Application



There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.



Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, Modern practice guidelines make it effective, The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation,



The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide. acupuncture may have some side effects. reproducible.