Acupuncture
Acupuncture, simply stated, is a
health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and
dysfunction in the body.
Acupuncture
has its roots deeply planted in China. In fact, authorities agree the
science is between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. Its use spread throughout
ancient Egypt, the Middle East. the Roman Empire and later into Western
Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing
discoveries the people of the Orient had developed.
Acupuncture did not become known on
a national level in the U.S. until 1971 when diplomatic relations
between China and America were expanded.
At
first glimpse, acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is
the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part.
Early
Chinese physicians discovered there is an energy network traversing
just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior
to the internal organs and structures at over 1,000 acupoints" on the
body.
This
energy works in harmony with the body's circulatory, nervous, muscular,
digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this
vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or
anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination
of key "acupoints" on the body may restore harmony to the affected area.
Historians
have stated, "More people have benefited from acupuncture over the
course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing
sciences, both ancient and modern."
How
Does It Work?
Far
too often in the medical profession, a patient is told after extensive
examination, "There is nothing wrong," "It is all in your head," or
"Sorry, you'll have to learn to live with it." The examining doctor,
unable to find the cause of the problem, has little else to tell the
patient.
Fortunately, many mainstream
physicians are now referring their patients for an acupuncture
evaluation as a last resort.
The human body's energy flow courses
over twelve meridians or
channels
that are normally well balanced. If a disruption of energy flow exists,
it can alter the entire system, producing pain or symptoms in the body.
If
we were to compare a 175 pound man on one end of a seesaw and a 45
pound child on the other end, it becomes obvious the seesaw would be
"broken" due to the fact the heavier person would be sitting on the
ground and the lighter would be dangling in the air. Even though the
seesaw is producing a symptom of being broken-extensive examination
would not reveal anything wrong with the seesaw. The obvious answer is
in the balance. Correction of the balance corrects the problem.
This
is acupuncture's goal -- to restore normalcy to the body's energy
balance by utilizing a combination of acupoints located on the twelve
meridians. This is accomplished by a variety of means, the needle is
just one.
Medical
research continues in this country and others to attempt to explain in
western scientific terms what the ancient Chinese seventy centuries
earlier described. Today, many theories have been postulated as to why
acupuncture is so effective in pain control. However, as more
discoveries are made, more research is indicated.
Is
Treatment Painful?
One
would assume inserting a needle into the skin would be painful since
most of us can relate to being stuck with a pin or having a hypo-
dermic injection. However, four acupuncture needles can easily be
inserted into the hollow tube of a hypodermic needle. Because of the
extreme slenderness of the needle, most people compare the sensations
"less than a mosquito bite." A phenomena referred to as teichei occurs when the energy is
contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate heaviness or
tingling.
Needles
obviously still have their place in clinical practice. However, many
physicians certified in acupuncture and licensed acupuncturists are
employing electronic and laser stimulation to the acupoint with equal
effectiveness as the needle. Both of these procedures are painless and
are quickly becoming standard worldwide.
The tapping needle teishein
is not really a needle as it does not pierce the skin. It produces a
mild to moderate sensation. Compare it to tapping a ball point pen on
the skin. This form of stimulation has been used successfully for
centuries. Thumb pressure is equally impressive and not considered
painful.