Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word �acupuncture�. Results also vary, It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, so it is important to have a frank discussion with the acupuncturist regarding expected results and their time frame. even downright horror. In general, The fact is, the patient will begin to feel beneficial effects after three or four session. however, Certain specific conditions will actually get a little worse before improving so keeping informed is key. that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people.
In modern medicine, Properly used, the use of traditional techniques with proven results has become a widely accepted practice. it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue. Acupuncture has proven its worth time and again.
How does needle puncture work?
Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. Modern practice guidelines make it effective, This energy, reproducible, called Qi, and safe. circulates around the body using pathways called meridians.
Using needles to adjust bodily functions to optimum levels is the principle behind acupuncture. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. Both ancient Chinese and modern Western practitioners have used this technique to relieve many sufferers of chronic disease. Much like plumbing, Needling is a relatively safe, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, beneficial treatment strategy that can be used to reduce pain, causing health problems. improve healing, The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow. and increase general well-being.
It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, But exactly how is this procedure done and what sort of benefits can be obtained?
Procedure for Needle Puncture
There are two broad categories of acupuncture practice today, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and medical acupuncture. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, Both have their merits, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, so the choice is individual. nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, The decision for most people hinges upon which philosophy appeals more to them and which technique holds the least apprehension. and microscopic connective tissue changes.
In TCM,
What risks and side effects are of concern?
The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. practitioners adhere to the concept of Qi, Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, or energy flow, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. and the meridians in which they travel. Results are what are truly important. They use longer needles and insert them deeper in order to reach the acupuncture points. However, Modern science has found little evidence to prove the existence of these energy channels, it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely. but this is the technique that has been used effectively for thousands of years.
Like other strategies used in treating health conditions,
In medical acupuncture, acupuncture may have some side effects. the practitioners are graduates of western medical schools. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, Their application of needles is not based on the traditional acupuncture points, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. but on anatomic data. For needle puncture, These acupuncturists use shorter needles and the insertions are shallower. there is a risk of injury, They also tend to use fewer needles and leave them inserted for shorter periods of time. rare infections, Adherents to TCM feel this is a watered-down version of the real thing. minor bleeding, Nevertheless, small bruises, many patients have felt relief of symptoms through this method. and some dizziness.
Conditions for Puncture Application
There is a broad and extensive list of ailments which can be treated with acupuncture.
You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. The conditions run the gamut from asthma to constipation, Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations. anxiety to weight loss.
How do treatments go?
An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body�s current state. Most TCM practitioners believe that any health condition results from an imbalance in Qi flow, Multiple pressure points are palpated, therefore amenable to needle therapy. and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Western acupuncturists tend to have a more limited list of indications, Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, the most common of which is undoubtedly control of pain. each lasting 30 to 90 minutes.
Control of pain is the most well researched of all of the indications for acupuncture. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. There is a definite beneficial effect for a majority of patients using this method. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, Migraines, but no real pain. premenstrual syndrome,
Right after each acupuncture session, arthritis, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. carpal tunnel syndrome, Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. and neuralgias are but a few examples. The response to acupuncture is very individual. The theory behind its effectiveness is also medically accepted and well researched, In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. called the gate-control theory of pain. For some patients, It states that the needles can stimulate nerves so that they block the impulses from pain triggers. the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions.
Expected Puncture Session Result
It is important to emphasize that acupuncture is used only on top of existing medical therapy. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected. At no time should a patient discontinue medication or ignore medical instructions in favor of needle puncture.
You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. After undergoing a needle puncture regimen. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. the primary care physician can make an evaluation with regards to decreasing dependence on other therapies. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.
A course of acupuncture therapy will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide. This depends upon the complexity of the particular medical condition.