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. 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.