SYHL Articles
Embracing the Needle: Understanding Acupuncture
Written by Allison Teetsle
Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting small, threadlike needles into various parts of the body. You may be asking yourself, "Why would anyone willingly do that?" Although it is a relatively new practice in the United States, Acupuncture is part of an ancient tradition used to alleviate a broad range of ailments.
Acupuncture comes from a family of procedures that originated in Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine is a holistic practice, focused on the unified healing and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.
As a result, acupuncture has traditionally been used in conjunction with other therapies in order to maximize its benefits. According to ancient Eastern beliefs, the human body contains approximately twelve meridians, or channels, which connect the body in a matrix of over 2,000 acupuncture points. Disease is caused when one or more of these channels becomes blocked by an imbalance between the opposing forces of yin and yang. This blockage prevents the flow of the vital energy, or life force, called qi. The insertion of thin needles through the skin is intended to stimulate specific points along the body, removing blockages in the flow of qi and restoring health.
In the United States, acupuncture is typically based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a modified system first introduced in the 1950s. Western practitioners typically reject the traditional beliefs regarding the movement of energy, and instead believe that the relief presented by acupuncture is caused by factors such as the release of endorphins by the body. Acupuncture was first introduced in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote of his experience with the ancient practice after undergoing surgery in China.
Eight years later, the World Health Organization's Inter-Regional Seminar released a list of diseases which may benefit from acupuncture treatment. The list included diseases of the Upper Respiratory Tract and Respiratory System along with disorders of the eye, mouth, and Gastro-Intestional, Neurological and Musculo-Skeletal systems. It wasn't until 1994, however, when the FDA re-classified acupuncture needles from experimental to standard medical devices, that the practice became widely recognized in the United States. The 2007 National Health Interview Survey indicated that approximately 3.1 million US Adults had undergone acupuncture treatment in the previous year, and that number continues to increase.
Perhaps one of the reasons for the popularity of acupuncture is that it can be used to treat such a variety of diseases and disorders. The following are some of the many conditions that may benefit from acupuncture:
In addition, studies show that acupuncture may help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of patients suffering from drug addiction. The use of acupuncture may also decrease the risk of a relapse. Recent studies also indicate that acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Researchers found that acupuncture provided treatment similar to group cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Acupuncture may also be appealing due to the ease of treatment. At the first appointment, the practitioner will typically take a medical history and inventory of your symptoms in order to determine which type of acupuncture will be the best treatment for you. He or she may also check your pulse and the color of your skin and tongue, as well as any part of your body causing you pain. The initial evaluation usually takes about an hour, with follow-up sessions lasting approximately thirty minutes. The actual treatment consists of between five and twenty needles being inserted into the skin. The needles are very thin, so insertion does not typically cause any pain or discomfort. The practitioner may gently twirl the needles once they are in place. Heat or a weak electric pulse may also be used. The needles are usually kept in place for fifteen to thirty minutes, while the patient relaxes. There is usually no discomfort caused by the removal of the needles. In fact, many patients report feeling relaxed or energized immediately following a treatment.
If you are considering acupuncture, be sure to research your practitioner's credentials. If you have received a diagnosis from your doctor, you may want to ask if acupuncture may help.
Written by Allison Teetsle
Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting small, threadlike needles into various parts of the body. You may be asking yourself, "Why would anyone willingly do that?" Although it is a relatively new practice in the United States, Acupuncture is part of an ancient tradition used to alleviate a broad range of ailments.
Acupuncture comes from a family of procedures that originated in Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine is a holistic practice, focused on the unified healing and well-being of the body, mind, and spirit.
As a result, acupuncture has traditionally been used in conjunction with other therapies in order to maximize its benefits. According to ancient Eastern beliefs, the human body contains approximately twelve meridians, or channels, which connect the body in a matrix of over 2,000 acupuncture points. Disease is caused when one or more of these channels becomes blocked by an imbalance between the opposing forces of yin and yang. This blockage prevents the flow of the vital energy, or life force, called qi. The insertion of thin needles through the skin is intended to stimulate specific points along the body, removing blockages in the flow of qi and restoring health.
In the United States, acupuncture is typically based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a modified system first introduced in the 1950s. Western practitioners typically reject the traditional beliefs regarding the movement of energy, and instead believe that the relief presented by acupuncture is caused by factors such as the release of endorphins by the body. Acupuncture was first introduced in the United States in 1971, when New York Times reporter James Reston wrote of his experience with the ancient practice after undergoing surgery in China.
Eight years later, the World Health Organization's Inter-Regional Seminar released a list of diseases which may benefit from acupuncture treatment. The list included diseases of the Upper Respiratory Tract and Respiratory System along with disorders of the eye, mouth, and Gastro-Intestional, Neurological and Musculo-Skeletal systems. It wasn't until 1994, however, when the FDA re-classified acupuncture needles from experimental to standard medical devices, that the practice became widely recognized in the United States. The 2007 National Health Interview Survey indicated that approximately 3.1 million US Adults had undergone acupuncture treatment in the previous year, and that number continues to increase.
Perhaps one of the reasons for the popularity of acupuncture is that it can be used to treat such a variety of diseases and disorders. The following are some of the many conditions that may benefit from acupuncture:
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Labor pain
- Low back pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Migraines
- Osteoarthritis
- Postoperative dental pain
- Tennis elbow
- Myofascial pain
- Carpal-tunnel syndrome
- Asthma
In addition, studies show that acupuncture may help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of patients suffering from drug addiction. The use of acupuncture may also decrease the risk of a relapse. Recent studies also indicate that acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Researchers found that acupuncture provided treatment similar to group cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Acupuncture may also be appealing due to the ease of treatment. At the first appointment, the practitioner will typically take a medical history and inventory of your symptoms in order to determine which type of acupuncture will be the best treatment for you. He or she may also check your pulse and the color of your skin and tongue, as well as any part of your body causing you pain. The initial evaluation usually takes about an hour, with follow-up sessions lasting approximately thirty minutes. The actual treatment consists of between five and twenty needles being inserted into the skin. The needles are very thin, so insertion does not typically cause any pain or discomfort. The practitioner may gently twirl the needles once they are in place. Heat or a weak electric pulse may also be used. The needles are usually kept in place for fifteen to thirty minutes, while the patient relaxes. There is usually no discomfort caused by the removal of the needles. In fact, many patients report feeling relaxed or energized immediately following a treatment.
If you are considering acupuncture, be sure to research your practitioner's credentials. If you have received a diagnosis from your doctor, you may want to ask if acupuncture may help.
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