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