Saturday, October 14, 2006
Acupuncture - An Ancient Chinese Therapy
Believe it or not Acupuncture has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years. It wad first discovered in the Huang Di Nei Jing (the oldest known medical textbook). Acupuncture is a medical treatment consisting of the insertion of very fine needles, into very specific points in the body's skin surface. This process is done to stimulate physiological functions in the body. Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine, conceptualized the body as having an energy life-force "flowing" through it. This energy, called Qi (pronounced chee), was thought to be essential for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual activities to take place properly in the body. If an improper "flow" of Qi takes place in the body, illness may occur.
The body has fourteen Meridians that run up and down the body. A Meridian is a Qi flow channel or passageway. The places where these Meridians touch the surface of the skin make up the specific points, through which Acupuncture needles are placed. Acupuncture is done to stop blockages in the flow of Qi through Meridians. There are nine types of Acupuncture needles, six of which are commonly still used. These needles are all disposable and only used once. This is for obvious health reasons. Each type of needle has different lengths, thicknesses, and needle head (the tip) shape.
When the needle enters the skin, the feeling given to the patient is called Deqi (pronounced da-chee). Deqi is not a painful feeling and differs depending on how the needle is inserted into the skin is done with the needle. The types of needle insertions include: Thrusting, Raising, Rotation, Twirling, Plucking, Trembling, and Scraping. The last two, involve vibrations being sent through the needle. The types of needles and needle insertions are all used in correlation to what illness is being treated.
There are a few other types of Acupuncture. Electro-Acupuncture is where small electrical impulses are sent through the inserted needles. Low amperages (a type of electrical power) are used to treat aches and pains; while higher amperages are used for surgical procedures. The most common type in the United States is Ear Acupuncture, also called Sonopuncture. The ear's blood and nerve endings connect with many bodily organs and tissues, causing it to be a very popular insertion point. Moxibustion is using heat to Acupuncture points. Cupping is where a vacuum (suction done to change blood flow) is created on the Acupuncture points. Acupressure is an alternative to Acupuncture, in which pressure is applied to the Acupuncture points, instead of using needles.
Acupuncture has been proven to raise the body's production levels of hormones, white blood cells, antibodies, and endorphins. It also stimulates neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in nerve cells), the flow of blood through the circulatory system, and the body's perception of pain. Many disorders and diseases have been successfully treated with Acupuncture. Such things it has been treated for include: backaches, neck pain, headaches and migraines, arthritis, joint pains, Analgesia (general pain relief), and muscle spasms.
Acupuncture has also been used to treat many mental disorders. Such disorders include: anxiety, depression, and many drug addictions, including alcohol or tobacco. Acupuncture has been proven to work in many cases; although many people are still skeptical of it. You can ask your doctor what he or she thinks of Acupuncture and decide if it may be something that would be right for you.
The body has fourteen Meridians that run up and down the body. A Meridian is a Qi flow channel or passageway. The places where these Meridians touch the surface of the skin make up the specific points, through which Acupuncture needles are placed. Acupuncture is done to stop blockages in the flow of Qi through Meridians. There are nine types of Acupuncture needles, six of which are commonly still used. These needles are all disposable and only used once. This is for obvious health reasons. Each type of needle has different lengths, thicknesses, and needle head (the tip) shape.
When the needle enters the skin, the feeling given to the patient is called Deqi (pronounced da-chee). Deqi is not a painful feeling and differs depending on how the needle is inserted into the skin is done with the needle. The types of needle insertions include: Thrusting, Raising, Rotation, Twirling, Plucking, Trembling, and Scraping. The last two, involve vibrations being sent through the needle. The types of needles and needle insertions are all used in correlation to what illness is being treated.
There are a few other types of Acupuncture. Electro-Acupuncture is where small electrical impulses are sent through the inserted needles. Low amperages (a type of electrical power) are used to treat aches and pains; while higher amperages are used for surgical procedures. The most common type in the United States is Ear Acupuncture, also called Sonopuncture. The ear's blood and nerve endings connect with many bodily organs and tissues, causing it to be a very popular insertion point. Moxibustion is using heat to Acupuncture points. Cupping is where a vacuum (suction done to change blood flow) is created on the Acupuncture points. Acupressure is an alternative to Acupuncture, in which pressure is applied to the Acupuncture points, instead of using needles.
Acupuncture has been proven to raise the body's production levels of hormones, white blood cells, antibodies, and endorphins. It also stimulates neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in nerve cells), the flow of blood through the circulatory system, and the body's perception of pain. Many disorders and diseases have been successfully treated with Acupuncture. Such things it has been treated for include: backaches, neck pain, headaches and migraines, arthritis, joint pains, Analgesia (general pain relief), and muscle spasms.
Acupuncture has also been used to treat many mental disorders. Such disorders include: anxiety, depression, and many drug addictions, including alcohol or tobacco. Acupuncture has been proven to work in many cases; although many people are still skeptical of it. You can ask your doctor what he or she thinks of Acupuncture and decide if it may be something that would be right for you.
