The Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a significant part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been studied and used for thousands of years in China making it one of the oldest health care approaches in the world.
These days, acupuncture is a safe, natural and increasingly popular form of health care that is being used effectively by people suffering from a wide range of conditions. Acupuncture adopts a holistic approach to understanding homeostasis and disease processes, focusing more on the cause and prevention of illness as on the symptoms.
During acupuncture thin needles are inserted through a person's skin at specified points on the body. The needles are only inserted to certain depths on the body. The working of acupuncture varies depending upon whether you look at TCM or Western societies' explanation.
TCM centers its explanation on how acupuncture works around the balance of yin and yan and gi or chi, also known as the life force. The body is said to have 350 acupuncture points where meridians, or Qi, and energy flow can be accessed. When a person becomes ill it is believed the cause is a result of the life forces being unbalanced. The energy flow will be restored to the correct balance through the use of needles being inserted into the points and the appropriate combinations.
Neuroscience concepts are relied upon in the Western society explanation of how acupuncture works. Nerves, connective tissue, and muscles are the acupuncture points that are stimulated. The body's natural painkiller kicks in as well as an increase in blood flow from acupuncture stimulation.
Research has shown that the use of acupuncture before and during surgery can reduce pain levels. Because of this patients may require less pain medication after the surgery is complete. Research has also shown that pregnant women who experience symptoms of indigestion may be helped with the use of acupuncture.
However, there is also research to indicate that acupuncture does not work to treat some conditions. Those who have researched the benefits of acupuncture have found it difficult to measure its effectiveness against that of a placebo during clinical studies.
Although acupuncture may not work to treat each and every condition it has proven effective in the treatment of back pain. Back pain has been linked to the way in which bones, ligaments, and muscles work together in the back. Lower back pain may come from discs between the vertebrae, spinal cord and nerves, or many other factors. Acupuncture may not only alleviate the pain but increase a person's tolerance of pain.
Acupuncture has also been used as a form of treatment for people suffering with anxiety or depression. Anxiety or depression brings an overwhelming sense of not being in control of one's life or feelings of hopelessness and despair. Research has shown that acupuncture has helped to improve the symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Fibromyalgia is another condition that may benefit from the use of acupuncture treatment. Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition. Fibromyalgia is classified as a form of arthritis. However, unlike arthritis, this disease affects the muscles in your body. Because it affects your muscles this causes widespread pain. Acupuncture an treatment alternative for people who suffer from Fibromyalgia and may reduce the need for pain medication and other types of prescription drugs.
There are many other conditions that may benefit from the use of acupuncture. Some of these conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, asthma, headaches or migraines, hypertension, diabetes, and many more. Acupuncture can help to give the immune system a boost and may even help to improve the circulation in the body. The use of acupuncture as a form of treatment has very few side effects. It is a safe method of treatment when performed correctly.
Although acupuncture has many benefits and few side effects there are risks that can be associated with its use. In rare case, it is possible for a needle to break and lead to the damaging of internal organs. Another risk that is rare is the collapsing of the lung if the needle has been inserted deep into the upper part of the back or into the chest.
Although acupuncture has many benefits and few side effects there are risks that can be associated with its use. In rare case, it is possible for a needle to break and lead to the damaging of internal organs. Another risk that is rare is the collapsing of the lung if the needle has been inserted deep into the upper part of the back or into the chest.
Some people may also experience at the insertion site bleeding, soreness, or even bruising. Acupuncture is not recommended for people that suffer from bleeding disorders. It is also not recommended as a form of treatment for anyone that is taking any type of blood thinning medication.
One risk that may occur is the possibility of the use of needles that have not been sterilized before use. This is also a rare occurrence.