Acupuncture is a treatment practiced in China for hundreds of years and is applied to treat various medical ailments and symptoms, including pain. An acupuncturist inserts a number of very fine needles made of steel into the skin surface at various “acupoints.”
The needles restore the body’s vitality, known as qi, and stimulate the body to produce its own naturally occurring substances to combat the sickness or symptom being treated.
What Is This Therapy, and How Does It Work
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting excellent needles made of steel into specific places on the body to stimulate those regions. The purpose is to alleviate a medical condition or sensation, like pain. The method originated in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine. Research published in a scientific setting has demonstrated its efficacy in treating certain illnesses.
Acupuncturists that adhere to more old or traditional Chinese concepts place their primary emphasis on regulating the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”), also known as energy, throughout the body. Some practitioners use Western medicine, which involves inserting needles into the body to stimulate its systems. Many acupuncturists practice a hybrid method that combines the two techniques.
Myofascial discomfort can also be treated with acupuncture, which is another option. This widespread ailment affects the muscles and the connective tissue surrounding them. Overworked muscles, stretched, or wounded, frequently develop taut trigger points and painful knots. Sensation in a different body location could be caused by a trigger point in a distinct muscle.
Trigger-point psychotherapy is a technique that acupuncturists might employ to alleviate myofascial discomfort. They apply pressure to specific areas of the body to mitigate the agony.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Every practitioner performs the procedure by inserting fine metal needles through the skin at specific locations (acupoints) on the body. Experts report that about two thousand acupoints on the human body are mentioned in traditional TCM books and teachings.
These are linked by channels (meridians) via which vital life force (qi) travels. It is believed that imbalances cause disease in this energy flow, and health results from its smooth movement.
As stated by some studies, acupuncturists who practice TCM believe that by stimulating certain spots along these meridians, remaining energy can be restructured, and health can be restored.
TCM practitioners use various methods, including acupuncture, herbs, a type of bodywork called tui na, advice on diet and lifestyle, tai chi, and other therapies.
Researchers in the United States have studied this therapy for years to determine its mechanisms of action. We understand a lot more about why acupuncture operates now.
First, students learned that acupoints are not arbitrary locations on the body. Scientists collected samples of tissue from such areas to study under a microscope. Dr. Sheinberg explains that the team’s findings demonstrate how the tissues in question have unique anatomical properties.
An extensive number of nerve endings, fibers that transmit cold and hot feelings, and mast cells are concentrated in acupoints, as was discussed in a previous review. Histamine, heparin, cytokines, and growth factors are all substances found in mast cells, which are a type of white blood cell that helps regulate the immune system.
Fascia is a connecting tissue that covers every nerve and organ in the body, and it is this tissue that acupuncturist needles are put into. Sheinberg explains that the autonomic nervous system, the “involuntary element of the nervous system,” “richly innervates” the fascia.
This means that when an acupuncturist inserts a needle into the tissue and excites an acupoint, the fascia sends “SOS signals” toward the other parts of the body, causing a reaction. Whenever the body detects an imbalance, it sends blood and lymph to the area in question to “clean up whatever is going on there,” as Sheinberg puts it.
Most jurisdictions require some form of licensing, certification, or licensing for acupuncturists. However, the NCCIH reports that the minimum levels of education and training necessary to get these certifications vary widely. You must research the practitioner’s background and training when making an appointment.
What Type Of Patient Typically Receives This Form Of Therapy
- Women with obstetric and gynecological problems
- Office workers
- Seniors
- Asthmatic patients
- Athletes
- People injured at work
- Cancer victims
- People with digestive illnesses
Common Conditions It Can Treat
Cancer
Chemotherapy-related nausea is reduced, the immunological response is boosted, pain is alleviated, and energy levels are raised thanks to acupuncture.
Chronic Headache
Acupuncture helps treat chronic headaches, such as migraines and chronic headaches, and alleviates their symptoms.
Also, pain from conditions such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, arthritic ankylosing spondylitis, and spondylolisthesis might be alleviated with the treatment.
Obstetric and Gynecological Problems
Mood swings, hot flashes, and insomnia are just some menopausal symptoms that this treatment can alleviate or eliminate altogether.
Syndrome of Persistent Tiredness
Exhaustion, low stamina, neurological issues, and other flu-like symptoms indicate chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an illness that causes profound fatigue.
According to Chinese medicine, weak organs are at the root of lethargy and exhaustion. Acupuncture has been shown to have a refreshing and stimulating effect on weakened organs.
Asthmatic
Recent studies have revealed that acupuncture is a successful therapy for respiratory illnesses, including asthma. There’s hope it can also lessen the severity and number of asthma attacks.
Athletes
Acupuncture effectively treats a wide range of sports and repetitive stress ailments.
Digestive Illnesses
Chronic liver disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease are some gastrointestinal conditions that may benefit from treatment to alleviate some associated symptoms.
The Benefits Of Using This Therapy
The following benefits are associated with the treatment:
- Relieving the chronic illnesses
- Controlling the allergic asthma
- Control vomiting and nausea
- Promote recovery after a surgery
- Help with the management of migraines and chronic headaches
- It relieves the body from stress
FAQs
What will happen when you are getting an acupuncture treatment?
An acupuncturist will ask questions about your health and symptoms during your initial visit. Your healthcare professional will then do a physical examination to determine which acupuncture points will be most effective. The acupuncturist will insert needles into specific places on the patient’s skin.
Needles are disposable, sanitary, and as thin as human hair. Acupuncturists can implant needles from a few millimeters to a few inches into the skin. Needles can remain in place for as long as 20 minutes.
What does the treatment feel like?
Every needle may cause a slight pinch. A blood draw is more painful than this. Needles used in the treatment are extremely thin and substantial, unlike the vacuous needles used in Western medicine.
What could make your treatment unsafe?
It is risky to have acupuncture from someone who isn’t properly trained. Infections, organ punctures, and damage to the nervous system are all possible outcomes of receiving medical care from an inexperienced physician or one who uses non sterile needles.
What do you expect after the treatment?
Due to the sedative effects of this therapy, it is recommended that patients be driven home, particularly after their first treatment. If that’s not an option, at least take a short nap of five to ten minutes before getting behind the wheel. After every session, your therapist may advise you to rest for a day or two.
What is the frequency of seeing your acupuncturist?
The total number of sessions required will vary based on the nature of your ailment, its seriousness, and the body’s response. The typical appointment frequency for patients is once weekly. For others, the frequency of treatment is adjusted based on the impact duration. The acupuncturist can help you figure out the best frequency for your needs.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is meant to be used with conventional medicine, not as a replacement. It is recommended that patients consult their primary care provider before beginning the treatment for chronic pain or any other ailment. Some states in the US allow acupuncturists to practice as primary care doctors.
It effectively treats chronic pain, osteoarthritis, headaches, and migraines. Side effects from this therapy are uncommon, and it is required that practitioners be adequately certified.
