Acupuncture
Overview
Acupuncture, a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has been practiced in China for nearly 5,000 years. It seeks to restore the proper flow of qi (pronounced "chee"), or life energy, in the body by stimulating certain points with special acupuncture needles. Central to the philosophy of acupuncture is the idea that all symptoms of illness are evaluated within the holistic context of an interconnected body, mind, and spirit. Although acupuncture has been known as an alternative modality in the United States for fewer than 30 years, there are now approximately ten million acupuncture treatments provided in this country annually.
Philosophy
Central to the understanding of acupuncture are meridian lines, which do not seem to correlate to anatomical structures in the body, are believed to be energy pathways along which an individual's life force, or qi, flows. It is thought that each meridian connects to one specific organ or group of organs that governs particular bodily functions. When too little or too much qi exists in a meridian so that qi is stagnant or blocked, illness results. By applying needles to certain points along the meridian lines, acupuncture seeks to restore equilibrium and health by correcting the flow of qi.
Conditions Commonly Treated
Acupuncture is effective for pain relief and for post-surgery and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. In addition, both the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health recognize that acupuncture can be a helpful part of a treatment plan for many illnesses. A partial list includes: addiction, asthma, bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, facial tics, headaches, irregular periods, menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, sciatica, sinusitis, spastic colon, stroke rehabilitation, tendonitis, tennis elbow, and urinary problems. You can safely combine acupuncture with prescription drugs and other modern treatments, but it is important for your primary care physician to be aware of and to monitor your acupuncture treatment.
What To Expect During Treatment
At your initial visit the acupuncturist will take an extensive medical history based on Chinese theories of disease and health. In addition to asking questions about your general health, the acupuncturist may want to take your pulse at several points along the wrist and look at your tongue to observe its shape, color, and coating. They may also observe the color and texture of your skin, your posture, and other physical characteristics that offer clues to your health.
The acupuncturist will then ask you to lie down on a padded examining table and will begin to insert the needles, twirling or gently placing each and guiding it in. You may not feel the needles at all, or you may feel a twitch or a quick twinge of pain that subsides as soon as the needle is completely in. Once the needles are all in place you will rest for 30 minutes to an hour. During this time you will probably feel relaxed and sleepy and may even doze off. At the end of the session, the acupuncturist will remove the needles. This is a painless process. Patients may have one or a series of acupuncture treatments, depending on need.
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