Acupuncture
by Krysta CardinaleAcupuncture literally means “needle piercing.” It is the practice of placing tiny needles into the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points for a therapeutic purpose. These needles are extremely thin and not wider than a human piece of hair. In addition to inserting needles into the skin, acupuncture therapists use heat, pressure, electromagnetic pulses, friction, and suction to stimulate these acupoints. The acupoints are said to be stimulated to rebalance the energy that flows through the body.
The Chi is the Chinese word for the energy that flows through our bodies. This Chi runs through specific pathways linking organs and different parts, unifying the body. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, such as Acupressure and Shiatsu, use different methods to balance out opposing forces and keep the chi distributed evenly. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine explain sickness and injury from a block in the flow of Chi. There are about 500 acupoints that are picked and used to heal depending on the sickness or injury. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are not based on modern day biochemistry, nutrition, or anatomy. There is actually no connection between the meridians, or energy pathways, and the body parts they link. However, there are physical results from placing tiny needles into the acupoints of Acupuncture.
Healing Powers of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is said to help and cure specific problems in the body. This application of healing can be broken down into five categories.
• Respiratory- Examples would include asthma, acute bronchitis, the common cold, and acute tonsillitis.
• Eye- Examples would be conjunctivitis and cataracts.
• Mouth- Examples include gingivitis and tooth aches.
• Intestines- Examples would include gastritis, hiccups, diarrhea, ulcers, and colitis.
• Neurological and Musculoskeletal- Examples would be headaches or migraines, lower back pain, paralysis caused by strokes, and Neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
In addition to these, there are said to be other healing powers of Acupuncture. Arthritis, bursitis, and allergies are all treated by stimulating acupoints. Acupuncture is also found to be effective for the treatment of mind-body disorders such as anxiety, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and depression. Some modern application of acupuncture is in the treatment of disorders such as alcoholism, smoking, and eating disorders.
Acupuncture weight loss results have also been determined. Eating has to do more with just the physical want for food, it also can be emotional. Since Acupuncture treats the mind, body, and spirit a system has been made to lose weight. This acupuncture weight loss program not only is said to curb your appetite, but it also claims to allow your body to take in less food when you eat, and makes you feel full so you eat less.
Effects of Acupuncture
In general, acupoints are believed to be holes that allow entry into channels. These points allow the influence and control of the Chi, thus one is able to correct the body’s imbalances. There are arguments both for and against Acupuncture as a true means for healing sickness and injuries.
Acupuncture has been proven to stimulate the immune system and affect such things as circulation, blood pressure, and the production of red and white cells. Applying Acupuncture has also been able to release certain hormones that increase the body’s response to injury and stress.
The most popular effect of Acupuncture is its success in pain relief. Studies have been done and shown that acupoints are located in areas with a large amount of nerve endings. By sticking fine needles into these points it affects the nervous system. Thus Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to produce endorphins and enkephalins (natural painkillers).
Like any other therapy, Acupuncture and Chinese medicine does not come without risks. There have been several instances of puncture wounds that cause bleeding. Some people also have allergic reactions to the needles used. In addition, there is always the possibility of a non-sterilized needle causing infection or spreading disease.
Even though considered a holistic medicine, Acupuncture is offered by some traditional physicians as choice in treatment. Patients are warned that this might not affect them and a combination of treatments might be more successful; for instance, using a prescription medication and acupuncture. Arthritis has been an increasing problem in the world. And the acupuncture arthritis treatment has grown in popularity throughout recent years. Acupuncture has provided many people with a successful alternative to arthritis medication. However, acupuncture arthritis treatment may not work alone.
