Your Daily Facts about Acupuncture
The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished, though it may seem strange and mysterious to many, has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today.
The perspective from which an acupuncturist views health and sickness hinges on concepts of “vital energy,” “energetic balance” and “energetic imbalance.” Just as the Western medical doctor monitors the blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages traveling via the nervous system, the acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this “vital energy” within its pathways, known as “meridians and channels”.
The acupuncturist is able to influence health and sickness by stimulating certain areas along these “meridians”. Traditionally these areas or “acupoints” were stimulated by fine, slender needles. Today, many additional forms of stimulation are incorporated, including herbs, electricity, magnets and lasers. Still, the aim remains the same – adjust the “vital energy” so the proper amount reaches the proper place at the proper time. This helps your body heal itself.
Acupuncture is just one form of therapy used within the coherent system of healing known as Oriental Medicine. Oriental Medicine includes herbology, physical therapy, dietetics and special exercises (such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong), and is a complete medical system unto itself and is not another branch of modern Western medicine. Acupuncture evolved from principles and philosophies unique to Oriental thinking and Oriental Medicine, and is most effectively applied when done in accordance with those principles.
The origins of acupuncture lie in ancient China and can be traced back 5000 years. It is used to prevent and treat mental and physical disorders restoring the body’s natural balance. The first Chinese Medical Textbook was written 2,500 years ago, more than 400 years before the Chinese made the first paper in the world. Acupuncture is not new in Britain. It was mentioned in the first issue of the medical journal ‘The Lancet’. The long history itself is evidence for its effectiveness.
Although normally thought of as a means of relieving pain, a wide range of illnesses can be treated by acupuncture. It stimulates the body’s self healing processes. The focus is on treating the whole body in its entirety, rather than the isolated treatment of specific symptoms.
Acupuncture can relieve:
* Headaches-migraines which are painful, throbbing headaches that last from 4 to 72 hours. If you’ve ever experienced a migraine then you know that they can be so painful that you are not able to follow your normal routine or every day activities.
* Menstrual cramps
* Tennis elbow
* Fibromyalgia
* Osteoarthritis
* Carpal tunal
* Asthma
* Toothache and gum problems
* Reducing labor pain
* Tension, stress, and emotional conditions
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine stainless steel needles into the body surface at vital points. Using sterilised disposable needles, the treatment is virtually painless. A session of treatment varies from 20 to 60 minutes. It can produce rapid results but more often it requires a number of treatments over a period of time.
Every person has a different threshold for pain. Some illnesses make you more sensitive to pain as well. But for the most part patients feel only minimal pain when the needles are first inserted; some feel absolutely no pain at all. There is no pain felt when the needles are in place. Some patients fall asleep during the session and leave more relaxed. Acupuncture needles are very thin, solid and made from stainless steel. The point is smooth which makes inserting it through the skin painless unlike injections or having your blood drawn. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is minimal.