“One needle
and the bundle of herbs, keep you healthy to old age.”
– Ancient Chinese saying
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing practice of traditional
Chinese medicine that believes the reason for illness was because of an
imbalance of energy in the body.
Acupuncture comes from a holistic concept of the unity of man and nature. Theories of acupuncture point to correcting imbalances within the body's "energy" flow through meridians, called "qi" or "chi.” These meridians and energy flows are accessible through 350 acupuncture points in the body to relieve pain.
In acupuncture, long disposable stainless-steel needles are used to stimulate the body’s principal energy-carrying channels called meridians. The act of “puncturing” the skin, muscles, and sometimes up to the bones is intended to overcome blocks that characterize the symptoms of an illness. Blockages are corrected to shift imbalances and relieve pain. Acupuncture can also treat a host of other conditions.
Acupuncture has been increasing in popularity nowadays. Acupuncture has become more prevalent in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Europe, and America this past decade. After so many years of research, acupuncture has finally gained at least some mainstream acceptance as a medical modality. However, despite the popularity of acupuncture, many people still need to learn about how to perform its correct procedure or why it works.
Will an ancient remedy hold the key to healing arthritis pain?
Experts offer limited but promising evidence that acupuncture can
help with arthritis symptoms. Arthritis is usually an inflammatory disorder
that affects the joints of the hips, knees, elbows, hands, and feet.
How can Acupuncture Relieve Pain Brought About by Arthritis?
Acupuncture is a helpful way to control
arthritis pain. Inserting needles into
the acupuncture points with
appropriate combinations is said to bring the energy flow back into proper
balance. Points refer to the places
where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. This will
result in increased blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity
of the body's natural painkillers.
Acupuncture provides a safe treatment option when appropriately performed by an experienced practitioner. It is believed that the needles stimulate the body’s meridian ends, creating a healing effect of promoting pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Acupuncture has few side effects and serious problems are rare compared to many drugs. Some side effects include:
●
Soreness, bruising, and minor
bleeding at the needle sites.
●
Using needles that are not
sterile can cause infection.
●
In some acupuncture points,
needles inserted too deep can puncture the lungs or gallbladder or cause
problems with the blood vessels.
●
That is why it is essential to
seek treatment from a practitioner who is well-trained in acupuncture.
How does the acupuncturist select points for pain?
There are three processes to select the acupuncture points used for
pain relief:
Step 1. Identify the sick
meridian point
First, you need to identify the precise location of the pain.
Determining the position of the pain will show us what meridian is being
affected and needs to be focused on for painful condition treatment.
Step 2: Identify the
meridian that balances the sick meridian.
After identifying the meridian that associates with the
painful area, an acupuncturist move on to the next step, which is selecting an apex that will balance
the “sick” meridian.
Step 3: Choosing the
acupoints
After identifying one or more balancing meridians, next is to select the acupuncture points along them and finally insert fine, sterile needles into the skin.
What are the different
styles of acupuncture?
Over the centuries, different styles of acupuncture have developed
based on different opinions, theories, and techniques. The various forms of
acupuncture differ in the procedure, but the basic theoretical principles of
acupuncture remain the same. The styles include:
· Traditional Chinese Acupuncture (TCM)
· Japanese Style Acupuncture
· Korean Acupuncture
· Korean Hand Acupuncture
· Auricular Acupuncture
· Medical Acupuncture
· Veterinary Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an excellent way to boost the immune system and help relieve the overall stresses of everyday life. This will also stimulate the body’s natural healing process. It has been proven effective in relieving the pain brought about by arthritis. It can also increase joint range of movement so you can now move freely without pain.
Reminder: When considering any pain management such as acupuncture, do your research first. Ask about its scope and its pros and cons. Ask your doctor’s recommendation as he/she might be able to refer a certified acupressure therapist.
