Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture treatment is administered by stimulation of certain key points on the patient’s body by needles (acupuncture proper), fingers (acupressure) and heat (moxibustion).
The relevant points in acupuncture are determined according to diagrams, which are the result of over two thousand years of trial and observation.
| ACUPUNCTURE & WEIGHT LOSS, LOS ANGELES |
| Are you interested in weight loss and the magic of acupuncture? Click here for MORE INFO » |
For diagnosis the practitioners of acupuncture traditionally rely on external examination and interviews with patients. However, many modern practitioners rely on results of modern technical tests when determining the right treatment for a patient.
Like most alternative medicine practices, acupuncture aims not only to heal, but to also to prevent disease and assure overall wellness of the patient.
In ancient China – the birthplace of acupuncture, the doctor was paid as long as everyone in the family was healthy. If any working member of the family became ill, the doctor was supposed to provide treatment and support the family, until that family member got well.
The age of acupuncture is estimated anywhere between 2000 years and 4000 years. It developed alongside with Chinese philosophical teachings.
The first such doctrine is Taoism, which emphasized life and action in accordance with the natural course of things.
The practice of acupuncture absorbed this teaching by accepting that the role of the doctor was not intervention, but mere assistance to the body in healing itself.
The second doctrine is Confucianism, which, among other things, forbade radical surgery, as disrupting the body, which was seen as a gift from the ancestors.
The reasons why people turn to the help of acupuncturists are varied. Most want to avoid the side effects associated with drugs and surgery.
Pregnant women also like the idea of non-intrusive, non drug-associated treatment for labor induction and other pregnancy related ailments such as nausea, vomiting and morning sickness.
People suffering from more serious conditions many times try acupuncture before turning to other physically and financially taxing procedures such as chemotherapy.
Those who have already undergone chemotherapy many times seek acupuncture as a viable method of relieving some of the side effects of the procedures.
The World Health Organization has approved a list of conditions, which are treatable by acupuncture. The list is available at this link.
Overall, when administered by a skilled professional, acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment for many illnesses and diseases.
It is also very important to stress the medical prophylactic effect of regular acupuncture, which keeps the body strong, healthy, and resistant to illness.
~~~
Oldest Healing Practices
Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. As part of aims to restore and maintain health through the stimulation of specific points on the body.
In the United States, where practitioners incorporate healing traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries, acupuncture is considered part of (CAM).
On this page:
- Introduction
- Key Points
- About Acupuncture
- Acupuncture Use in the United States
- Acupuncture Side Effects and Risks
- Status of Acupuncture Research
- Finding a Qualified Practitioner
- What To Expect from Acupuncture Visits
- Treatment Costs
© Matthew Lester
Key Points
- Acupuncture has been practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years.
- Scientists are studying the efficacy of acupuncture for a wide range of conditions.
- Relatively few complications have been reported from the use of acupuncture. However, acupuncture can cause potentially serious side effects if not delivered properly by a qualified practitioner.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
About Acupuncture
The term “acupuncture” describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: Yin represents the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or active principle.
According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body in a “balanced state”; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of (vital energy) along pathways known as meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using acupuncture at certain points on the body that connect with these meridians.
Sources vary on the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited source describes meridians as 14 main channels “connecting the body in a weblike interconnecting matrix” of at least 2,000 acupuncture points.
Acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles to ease his pain after surgery. American practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
Acupuncture Use in the United States
The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being “widely” practiced—by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners—for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.
According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey of CAM use by Americans, an estimated 3.1 million U.S. adults and 150,000 children had used acupuncture in the previous year. Between the 2002 and 2007 NHIS, acupuncture use among adults increased by three-tenths of 1 percent (approximately 1 million people).
Acupuncture Side Effects and Risks
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners, requiring that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.
Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used. Still, complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of treatments.
Practitioners should use a new set of disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each patient and should swab treatment sites with alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting needles. When not delivered properly, acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and punctured organs.
Status of Acupuncture Research
There have been many studies on acupuncture’s potential health benefits for a wide range of conditions. Summarizing earlier research, the 1997 NIH Consensus Statement on Acupuncture found that, overall, results were hard to interpret because of problems with the size and design of the studies.
In the years since the Consensus Statement was issued, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has funded extensive research to advance scientific understanding of acupuncture. Some recent NCCAM-supported studies have looked at:
- Whether acupuncture works for specific health conditions such as chronic low-back pain, headache, and osteoarthritis of the knee
- How acupuncture might work, such as what happens in the brain during acupuncture treatment
- Ways to better identify and understand the potential neurological properties of meridians and acupuncture points
- Methods and instruments for improving the quality of acupuncture research
Finding a Qualified Practitioner
Health care providers can be a resource for referral to acupuncturists, and some conventional medical practitioners—including physicians and dentists—practice acupuncture. In addition, national acupuncture organizations (which can be found through libraries or Web search engines) may provide referrals to acupuncturists.
- Check a practitioner’s credentials. Most states require a license to practice acupuncture; however, education and training standards and requirements for obtaining a license to practice vary from state to state. Although a license does not ensure quality of care, it does indicate that the practitioner meets certain standards regarding the knowledge and use of acupuncture.
- Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncture practitioner who does not have substantial conventional medical training. If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor, you may wish to ask your doctor whether acupuncture might help.
What To Expect from Acupuncture Visits
During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length about your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. The practitioner will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people feel energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
Treatment may take place over a period of several weeks or more.
Treatment Costs
Ask the practitioner about the estimated number of treatments needed and how much each treatment will cost. Some insurance companies may cover the costs of acupuncture, while others may not. It is important to check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture is covered for your condition and, if so, to what extent.
~~~
Helpful Links
Acupuncture Allergies Los Angeles
Acupuncture Weight Loss Los Angeles
~~~
