Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that originated in China over 5000 years ago. The basis of the practice is the belief that all living beings have vital energy that circulates through 12 invisible energy lines, known as meridians. Each meridian is responsible for a particular organ system. An imbalance in the flow of energy throughout the Meridian systems is how Chinese practitioners believe disease begins.
The practice of acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improves function by affecting the Meridian systems and promoting balance in the flow of energy. Chinese practitioners believe that the use of acupuncture needles will unblock any obstructions and reestablish regular flow. This treatment will therefore help the body’s internal organs to correct themselves.
Modern scientists have explained the success rate of acupuncture through the stimulation of the nervous system that releases neurotransmitters and biochemical to either change the experience of pain or influence hormones that changed the body’s own internal regulating system. Individuals who include acupuncture in their health practices reported improvement in energy and biochemical balance resulting in natural healing abilities and improvement in physical and emotional well-being.
Medical acupuncture is an area of health care used to promote health and well-being, prevent illness and treat medical conditions. In the past acupuncture has been associated with pain control. However, in the hands of an advanced practitioner it has broader applications and can be effective as a sole treatment or as a support for other medical treatment forms. The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems.
The number of visits an individual may need will depend upon the disorder being treated, the patient’s general health, and the individual’s age. An acute disorder may need only one or two treatments while a chronic condition may require up to 12. Practitioners will use hair thin, sterile, individually packaged and disposable needles in order to affect the energy flow through the meridians. In 1997, the field was reclassified from “experimental” to “medical device” by the US Food and Drug Administration. That same year the National Institutes of Health released a treatment endorsing acupuncture for the treatment of a variety of conditions.
Acupuncture is one form of medical treatment that usually has no side effects. Occasionally, the original symptoms may worsen for a few days as the body begins the healing process. At other times individuals may experience general changes in appetite, sleep, or urination patterns. These changes should not cause any concern because they are simply indicating that the treatment program is beginning to work.
Even individuals who do not believe in the practice of acupuncture are able to obtain relief and successful treatment. Acupuncture is also successfully practiced on cats, dogs, horses and other animals who don’t understand or believe in the process. Although a positive attitude towards wellness will help reinforce the effects of treatment received, a neutral attitude will not block the treatment results.
In order to improve the value of the treatment the acupuncturists will usually recommend that you do not eat an unusually large meal immediately before or after your treatment, do not exercise or consume alcohol within six hours before or after treatment, and plan treatment so you can rest following the experience.
Some insurance companies will cover acupuncture costs and others will not. It is the responsibility of the individual to check with the insurance company and receive pre-certification for any acupuncture treatments. More and more insurance companies are recognizing the value of medical acupuncture services and individuals can help this process by continuing to educate insurance companies in any communication they may have about the process.
Common conditions that individuals might seek treatment for include migraines, sinusitis, addictions such as smoking, Meniere’s disease, sciatica, arthritis, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, low back pain, weight loss and infertility.
Acupuncture is one of the best-known of the alternative therapies. The US Food and Drug Administration estimates the people in the United States spend more than $500 million annually on acupuncture treatments and this number is significantly higher when treatments using acupressure is included.
Resources:
Medical news Today: What is Acupuncture
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488.php
National Cancer Institute: Questions and Answers about Acupuncture
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/acupuncture/patient/page2
American Academy of medical Acupuncture: What is it?
http://medicalacupuncture.org/acu_info/articles/aboutacupuncture.html
North American Spine Society: What is Acupuncture
http://www.spine.org/Documents/acupuncture.pdf
University of maryland medical Center: Acupuncture
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/acupuncture-000345.htm
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