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What is acupuncture? Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical practices in the world. Originated in China more than 2,500 years ago, acupuncture gained attention in this country in the 1970s, when China and the US opened relations. The practice has been growing in popularity since. According to theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected via pathways, or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health. Disruption of the energy flow can cause disease. Acupuncture may correct these imbalances when applied at acupuncture points and improve the flow of Qi. Acupuncture theories today are based on extensive laboratory research, and have become widely known and accepted. In addition, controlled studies have shown evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for certain conditions. Approximately 10,000 certified acupuncturists practice in the US today. Not all certified acupuncturists are physicians, but, currently, about one-third of certified acupuncturists are US physicians who have incorporated acupuncture into their medical practices. Acupuncture is not for everyone. If you choose to see an acupuncturist, discuss it with your physician first and find a practitioner who is licensed with appropriate training and credentials. What
does acupuncture feel like? Improper placement of the acupuncture needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. That is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility. Instead of needles, other forms of stimulation are sometimes used, including:
How
does acupuncture affect the body?
Many studies have documented acupuncture’s effects on the body, but none has fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine. Researchers have proposed several processes to explain acupuncture’s effects, primarily on pain. In general, acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system, which, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either alter the experience of pain or release other chemicals that influence the body’s self-regulating systems. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Attention has been focused on the following theories to further
explain how acupuncture affects the body: Conduction of electromagnetic signals: Evidence suggests
that acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic
signals. Stimulating these points enables electromagnetic signals
to be relayed at greater-than-normal rates. These signals may start
the flow of pain-killing biochemicals, such as endorphins, or release
immune system cells to specific body sites. Activation of the body's natural opiod system: Considerable
research supports the claim that acupuncture releases opiods, synthetic
or naturally-occurring chemicals in the brain that may reduce pain
or induce sleep. These chemicals may explain acupuncture's pain-relieving
effects. Stimulation of the hypothalamus and the pituitary
gland: Joined at the base
of the brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands are responsible
for many body functions. The hypothalamus activates and controls
part of the nervous system, the endocrine processes, and many bodily
functions, such as sleep, regulation of temperature, and appetite.
The pituitary gland supplies some of the body's needed hormones.
Stimulation of these glands can result in a broad spectrum of effects
on various body systems. Change in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones: Studies suggest that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry in a positive way. This is accomplished by changing the release of neurotransmitters (biochemical substances that stimulate or inhibit nerve impulses) and neurohormones (naturally-occurring chemical substances that can change the structure or function, or impact the activity of, a body organ). Acupuncture
and the National Institutes of Health: The NIH also has found that acupuncture is useful
by itself, or in combination with conventional therapies, to treat
addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia,
myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome,
and asthma, and to assist in stroke rehabilitation. What
conditions may benefit from acupuncture?
Considerations
when choosing acupuncture:
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