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�. carpal tunnel syndrome, It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, and neuralgias are but a few examples. even downright horror. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, The fact is, called the gate-control theory of pain. however, It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers. that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people.
Expected Puncture Session Result
It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. Properly used, At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue. After undergoing a needle puncture regimen,
How does needle puncture work?
Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies. This energy,
A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. called Qi, This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition. circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. Results also vary, Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. Much like plumbing, In general, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. causing health problems. Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow.
In modern medicine,
It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, Modern practice guidelines make it effective, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, reproducible, nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, and safe. and microscopic connective tissue changes.
Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture.
What risks and side effects are of concern?
The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, Needling is a relatively safe, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, Results are what are truly important. improve healing, However, and increase general well-being. it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely. 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,
Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. acupuncture may have some side effects. Both have their merits, Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, so the choice is individual. surgeries have risk of infection and complications. The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension. For needle puncture,
In TCM, there is a risk of injury, practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, rare infections, or energy flow, minor bleeding, and the meridians in which they travel. small bruises, They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points. and some dizziness. Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels,
You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years. Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations.
In medical acupuncture,
How do treatments go?
An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body�s current state. the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. Multiple pressure points are palpated, Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. but on anatomic data. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, Nevertheless, but no real pain. many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method.
Right after each acupuncture session,
Conditions for Puncture Application
There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture. you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation, Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. anxiety to weight loss. The response to acupuncture is very individual. Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. therefore amenable to needle therapy. For some patients, Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.
Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture.
You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. Migraines, It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments. premenstrual syndrome,
The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide. arthritis.
