A Nippy Guide to Acupuncture

     With needles to fine-tune bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. Both ancient Chinese & current Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve lots of sufferers of chronic disease. Needling is a quite safe, valuable treatment strategy that can be used to diminish pain, improve healing, & increase general well-being. But precisely how is this procedure done and what sort of benefits will be obtained?

Procedure for Needle Puncture

There are two broad categories of acupuncture practiced nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. Both have their virtues, so the choice is individual. The decision for many people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them & which practice holds the least worry.

In TCM, practitioners adhere to the belief of Qi, or energy flow, & the meridians in which they travel. They utilize longer needles and insert them deeper in order to get to the acupuncture points. Modern science has discovered little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, nevertheless this is the technique that has been used successfully for 1000抯 of years.

In medical acupuncture, the practitioners are graduates of western medical educational facilities. Their application of needles is not dependent on the established acupuncture points, but on anatomic data. These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter durations of time. Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. However, countless sufferers have felt relief of symptoms through this method.

Conditions That May Be Addressed By Acupuncture Application

There's a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture. The conditions run the scale from asthma to bowel problems, stress to weight loss. Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, and consequently amenable to needle therapy. Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, the most universal of which is undoubtedly control of pain.

Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of sufferers using this method. Migraines, premenstrual syndrome, arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuralgias are but a few examples. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, known as the gate-control theory of pain. It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers.

Expected Acupuncture Session Result

It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical treatment. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture. After undergoing a needle puncture regimen, the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to reducing dependence on other therapies.

A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This is dependent upon the complexity of the specific medical condition. Results also vary, so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist about anticipated results and their time frame. In general, the patient will start to experience beneficial effects after three or four sessions. Certain particular conditions will in fact get a little worse prior to improving so keeping informed is key.

In modern medicine, the use of traditional techniques with validated results has become a broadly accepted practice. Acupuncture has proven its value time and again. Modern practice guidelines make it effective, reproducible, and safe. It is a gift of healing that has the potential to lead to relief to millions of people and is gaining popularity rapidly.

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