5Acupuncture

Acupuncture

Maintaining order rather than correcting disorder is the ultimate principle of wisdom. To cure disease after it has appeared is like digging a well when one already feels thirst, or forging weapons after the war has already begun.
-Nei Jing (classical Chinese text)

Introduction

Traditional Chinese Medicine, abbreviated as TCM, is a sophisticated system of health care which dates back at least 3,000 years in China. TCM does not focus on treating an illness or disease-state as Western medicine does, but instead observes the underlying causes of energetic imbalances and patterns of disharmony in the body. Imbalance results from emotions, lifestyle, and climate. Treatments target the specific manifestation of your disharmony. TCM’S greatest forte is that its approach moves beyond issues of just physical health.

Acupuncture & Chi

Acupuncture, the most popular TCM technique, involves the insertion of sterile disposable needles into anatomically precise locations on the body surface known as acupoints. This regulates chi, the vital universal life force, to flow along the energy pathways known as meridians, thus allowing the body’s energy to rebalance and readjust, pain to dissipate, and symptoms to be relieved. Pain and other symptoms are due to blockages of chi in the meridians, resulting in “stagnant energy”. The effect of needling causes chi to spread through the body in a similar fashion as a drop of water causing the water surface to ripple. Most people experience a deep sense of relaxation and well-being during the treatments. Research studies have confirmed that patients experience increased energy and vitality, disappearance or improvement of symptoms, fewer visits to physicians, less dependence on prescription drugs, stronger immune systems, and a general sense of well-being.

Science of Acupuncture

Although the exact mechanism of acupuncture is not known, there are several theories as to how it works. Major acupoints are often located in areas rich in blood supply and near nerves that are peripheral, cutaneous, or emerging from bony foramina. Acupoints are also found to be areas of low skin resistance. Energy is thought to be transmitted throughout the body like a current. Acupuncture may have a strong effect on the nervous system. Studies have shown that acupuncture induces the release of certain neurotransmitters and hormones such as endorphin in the brain. This in turn affects our perception of pain, our sense of well-being, our emotions, and our immune response in a positive way. Visit the National Institute of Health’s website for further information on current acupuncture research.
Link to www.nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/

TCM Techniques
TCM utilizes a number of techniques to complement acupuncture and increase its therapeutic efficacy. These are described below.

Acupressure- gentle pressure on acupoints to facilitate release of muscle tension and induce deep relaxation.

Moxibustion- heated forms of the herb artemesia vulgaris are held directly over the body’s acupoints so heat may penetrate the meridians and relieve chi blockages.

Cupping- glass cups are heated and suctioned onto the back to relieve pain and spasms for many types of back conditions as well as asthma, depression, and detoxification.

Chigong- energy flow facilitated by the practitioner’s hand movements without any physical contact of patient’s body.

Plum Blossoming- long shaft with multiple small needles at head is tapped on part of body surface until the skin reddens like a plum “blossoming” to relieve pain.

Herbal Therapy- numerous Chinese herbs and formulas relieve TCM patterns of dysfunction and intensify or accelerate the healing effect of acupuncture.

Tui Na- massage techniques performed along the body’s meridians to aid chi flow, improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and create a sense of relaxation in the body.

Tai Chi- therapeutic gentle exercise that stimulates chi flow throughout all the body’s meridians. Highly recommended for conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, MS, and parkinsons.

For FAQ’s on Acupuncture Link to www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture + Questions

Acupuncture Research

Review recent studies and clinical trials on acupuncture
showing why its so effective in treating many conditions
Acupuncture relieves menstrual pain
Acupuncture increases chance of success in IVF by 65%
Acupuncture very effective in treating post-surgical pain
Acupuncture helps with fibromyalgia symptoms
Acupuncture helps relieve lower back pain
Acupuncture shows promise in treating acid reflux disease
Tension headaches dramatically reduced by acupuncture
Neck pain reduced by acupuncture
Blood pressure lowered by acupuncture
Study finds acupuncture relieves fibromyalgia
Acupuncture equals drug treatment for migraines
Acupuncture can help women battle PMS
Acupuncture can relieve arthritis pain

Conditions Treated
Although it is more effective for chronic conditions, TCM can also be used for acute illnesses. The World Health Organization lists 104 conditions which acupuncture can treat.
Link to www.who.int/topics/acupuncture/en/

Infections & Respiratory Conditions- Common Cold, Cough, Asthma, Allergies, Flu, Bronchitis, Sinusitis, Tonsillitis
Eye/Ear/Nose/Throat- Earaches, Ringing in the Ears, Poor Eyesight, Myopia, Nasal Congestion, Sore Throat
Skin Problems- Acne, Eczema, Rashes, Herpes, Rheumatoid Conditions
Musculo-Skeletal & Neurological Disorders- Chronic or Acute Pain Management, Headaches and Migraines, Stiff Neck, Back Pain, Sciatica, Arthritis, Neuralgia, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Cerebral Palsy, Bell’s Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Stroke Paralysis, Sprains, Sports Injuries
Gastrointestinal & Digestive Disorders- Nausea, Vomiting, Eating Disorders, Obesity, Indigestion, Ulcers, Constipation, Diarrhea, Hemorrhoids
Gynecological Disorders- Infertility, Impotence, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), Menstrual Disorders, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Vaginitis, Morning Sickness, Menopause, Hot Flashes, Night Sweats
Internal Disorders- Hypoglycemia, High Blood Pressure, Dizziness, Colitis, Diabetes, Hormonal Imbalances, Gallbladder Disease
Mental/ Emotional Disturbances- Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Anger, Stress, Insomnia, Sleep Disorders
Addictions- to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Other- Low Energy, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Children’s Health, Environmentally Induced Illnesses such as Radiation, Pesticide Poisoning, Toxic Compounds, Air Pollution, Post-Surgical Recovery, Nausea from Chemotherapy
Preventive Health Care