Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method used to relieve some health conditions and symptoms, such as pain. An acupuncturist inserts very thin steel needles into your skin at multiple “acupoints.” The needles rebalance your body’s energy, or qi, and prompt your body to release natural chemicals to fight the illness or symptom. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force known as chi or qi (chee) believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.
In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body’s natural painkillers.
HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is believed to have originated around 100 BC in China, around the time ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon’ The Inner Classic of Huang Di (Huangdi Neijing) was published, though some experts suggest it could have been practiced earlier. This text is the root of all styles of acupuncture used all over the world.
Ancient Chinese practitioners discovered many aspects of biomedical science, without the help of modern scientific equipment. Traditional acupuncturists are as scientific and sophisticated as western clinicians in their understanding of how the body functions, despite the current use by many of terminology from Chinese historic and cultural beginnings.
PROCESS OF ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture points are situated in all areas of the body. Sometimes the appropriate points are far removed from the area of your pain. Your acupuncture practitioner will tell you the general site of the planned treatment and whether you need to remove any clothing. A gown, towel or sheet will be provided. You lie on a padded table for the treatment, which involves:
Needle insertion; Acupuncture needles are inserted to various depths at strategic points on your body. The needles are very thin, so insertion usually causes little discomfort. People often don’t feel them inserted at all. A typical treatment uses 5 to 20 needles. You may feel a mild aching sensation when a needle reaches the correct depth.
Needle manipulation; Your practitioner may gently move or twirl the needles after placement or apply heat or mild electrical pulses to the needles.
Needle removal; In most cases, the needles remain in place for 10 to 15 minutes while you lie still and relax. There is usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.
Medical physiological uses
Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including:
- Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Dental pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
- Labour pain
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Menstrual cramps
- Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis
- Tennis elbow
The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but many people find it helpful as a means to control a variety of painful conditions. After the procedure, some people feel relaxed and others feel energized but not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms don’t begin to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.