About
Acupuncture
In the
past two decades, acupuncture has grown
in popularity in the United States. A
report from a Consensus Development
Conference on Acupuncture held at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) in
1997 stated that acupuncture is being
"widely" practiced -- by thousands of
physicians, dentists, acupuncturists,
and other practitioners -- for relief or
prevention of pain and for various other
health conditions.
In 2002 National Health Interview
Survey--the largest and most
comprehensive survey of complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) use by
American adults to date--an estimated
8.2 million U.S. adults had used
acupuncture at one time. |
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Does acupuncture hurt?
Unlike hollow needles used for injections, acupuncture needles
are extremely thin, about the width of a single human hair. They are
specially designed to reduce the possibility of pain. The patient
might feel a pricking sensation or nothing at all.
 How does acupuncture work?
When your acupuncturist inserts a needle, your body responds by
initiating pain relief, immune function, and hormonal balance.
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that
acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system. The needle may
affect the area in which it is inserted, or may affect a part of the
body far from the needle insertion point. This works because of the
vast network of nerves that connect the skin to the internal organs.
According to NIH it is proposed
that acupuncture produces its effects
through regulating the nervous system,
thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and
immune system cells at specific sites in
the body. In addition, studies have
shown that acupuncture may alter brain
chemistry by changing the release of
neurotransmitters and neurohormones and,
thus, affecting the parts of the central
nervous system related to sensation and
involuntary body functions, such as
immune reactions and processes that
regulate a person's blood pressure,
blood flow, and body temperature.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is extremely safe. Each needle is sterile, for one-time
use, and disposable. The needles are NEVER inserted deeply enough to
puncture internal organs. In a 1998 study published in the Journal
of the American Medical Association (JAMA), only 64 “adverse events”
occurred in 55,291 acupuncture treatments (0.12%). “Adverse events”
consisted of minor symptoms such as dizziness, discomfort, and
sweating.
 How many treatments are required to make me feel better?
Most health problems take more than one treatment to resolve
completely. Expect to have four treatments before a reassessment of
your condition. With each treatment, however, you should notice an
overall improvement in your health and in your chief complaint. Can I still benefit from Chinese medicine without the use of
needles?
Absolutely! Herbal medicine is also a powerful way to improve your condition
without needles.
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is the Chinese equivalent to biomedical
pharmacology. When you are diagnosed by a Chinese medicine
practitioner, she will prescribe an herbal formula that is tailored
for your condition. This formula may be in the form of a pill, tea,
concentrated liquid extract, powder, or externally applied paste. The
herbal formula is a way to enhance the effects of acupuncture so
that your results will last as long as possible. Unlike
pharmaceutical drugs, Chinese herbal medicine uses customized
prescriptions for each individual to minimize the potential for side
effects.
For more
information about acupuncture and Chinese Medicines |
