Have You Heard About Acupuncture?

Source: Harvard Health-Harvard University

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice providing therapeutic treatments for healing benefits.

Method:

Sterile needles are inserted in specific areas called acupuncture points in the body. There are 350 acupuncture points. These are places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers. Stimulation can also be done by electrical stimulation, heat and pressure.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is made up of two existing forces: yin and yang. The body's natural energy (Qi) flows to keep yin and yang in balance. When Qi is blocked, yin and yang become out of balance and the imbalance leads to illness and pain. Acupuncture is used to release energy blocks to restore balance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are four diagnostic methods. Inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiring and palpation. Inspection involves the face, the tongue, tongue size, shape, tension, colour, coating and the absence or presence of teeth marks around the edge. Auscultation and olfaction involve listening for particular sounds and observing body odor. Inquiring involves: chills and fever, perspiration, appetite, thirst and taste, defecation and urination, pain, sleep, menses and leukorrhea. Palpation involves feeling the body for tender "A-shi" points and feeling the pulse.

What is the job of an acupuncturist?

Assessment of patient's health history. Identification of health issues.

Physical assessments.

Development of treatment plan.

Following the acupuncture method process.

Process:

Making the patient lie on a table in a calm, quiet and comforting environment.

Insertion of needles into acupuncture points.

The needles are kept from five to 30 minutes.

Then removal of needles.

An acupuncturist receives an annual salary from $42,120 to $148,950 or more.

In 2003, the World Health Organization listed a number of conditions which has been proven effective by treating acupuncture. These include:

high and low blood pressure

dental pain

reducing the risk of stroke

rheumatoid arthritis

chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting

gastric conditions including peptic ulcer

painful periods

dysentery

allergic rhinitis

facial pain

morning sickness

sprains

tennis elbow

sciatica

inducing labor

Other conditions for that the acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include:

fibromyalgia

neuralgia

post-operative convalescence

tobacco and alcohol dependence

spine pain

stiff neck

vascular dementia

whooping cough/pertussis

Tourette syndrome

urinary tract infections

epidemic hemorrhagic fever

The UNESCO inscribed "acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine" on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2010.

Regulation:

There are many government and association regulatory bodies for acupuncture. The World Health Organization recommends that before being licensed or certified, an acupuncturist should receive 200 hours of specialized training if they are a physician and 2,500 hours if they are non physicians. 

Large amount of researches is needed for further implications. Some researchers suggested it as effective, many researchers don’t agree to them.

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