Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly
used medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture is a traditional
Chinese medical technique. It is also called Oriental medicine.
Acupuncture scientific name is paradigm. Each meridian corresponds to
one organ, or group of organs, that governs particular bodily
functions. Acupuncture is thought to restore health by removing energy
imbalances and blockages in the body. Acupuncture is the practice of
inserting thin needles into specific body points to improve health and
well-being. Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago,
making it one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures
in the world. It is widely used in both private and NHS settings.
Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of
anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques.
Traditional Chinese medicine is not based on knowledge of modern
physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, anatomy, or any of the known
mechanisms of healing. Acupuncture's record of success has stimulated a
number of research projects investigating its mechanisms as well as its
efficacy. It's commonly used to treat pain, relieve common ailments and
promote general health. There is a growing body of research evidence on
the effectiveness of acupuncture, especially to treat nausea
(particularly postoperative), dental problems and low back pain.
Acupuncture has been shown to induce reproducible patterns of neural
activity in a wide variety of brainstem, midbrain and cerebral cortical
structures.There is sufficient evidence, however, of acupuncture's
value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage
further studies of its physiology and clinical value.
Acupuncturists believe it regulates the flow of ‘vital energy’, known
as ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’). The most frequently offered defense of
acupuncture by its defenders commits the pragmatic fallacy. The effects
of acupuncture are complex. Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid,
and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel
no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are
energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle
placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause
soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important to seek
treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. Acupuncture is
also thought to decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals
that block pain, called endorphins. Many acu-points are near nerves.
When stimulated, these nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness
in the muscle. The stimulated muscle sends a message to the central
nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), causing the release of
endorphins (morphine-like chemicals produced in our own bodies during
times of pain or stress). Endorphins, along with other
neurotransmitters (body chemicals that modify nerve impulses), block
the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain. Some of the
biological effects of acupuncture have also been observed when "sham"
acupuncture points are stimulated, highlighting the importance of
defining appropriate control groups in assessing biological changes
purported to be due to acupuncture.
Acupuncture is one of the CAM therapies that are more commonly covered
by insurance. Acupuncture points are thought to correspond to
physiological and anatomical features such as peripheral nerve
junctions, and diagnosis is made in purely conventional terms. There
are several different approaches to acupuncture. Among the most common
in the United States today Acupuncture points employs penetration of
the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated
manually or by electrical stimulation. The most common serious injury
reported from the needles of acupuncture has been accidental puncture
of the lung. The most common infection reported from acupuncture
treatments is viral hepatitis, a potentially serious infection of the
liver. Other side effects include bacterial infections locally at the
site of needle insertion in the skin and elsewhere in the body.
Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and training of
the acupuncturist. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely
practiced in the United States. There have been many studies of its
potential usefulness. However, many of these studies provide equivocal
results because of design, sample size, and other factors. The issue is
further complicated by inherent difficulties in the use of appropriate
controls, such as placebo and sham acupuncture groups. There are other
situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache,
menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain,
osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma where
acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable
alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program.
Article Source: http://
www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/what-are-
the-benefits-of-acupuncture--176745.html About the Author
Juliet Cohen writes articles on depression
treatment and health
disorders. She also writes articles on women health. |
