Info About Acupuncture
Acupuncture consists of the insertion of very fine needles into the skin at strategic points on the body. Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, is frequently used to treat pain. Its use is increasingly common to improve general well-being, for example, to manage stress.
Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force, known as "chi" or "qi," which is believed to flow through channels (meridians) in the body. By inserting needles at specific points on these meridians, acupuncturists consider that the energy flow is rebalanced.
In contrast, many Western acupuncturists view acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. Some believe that this method stimulates the body's natural pain relievers.
Why is it done
Acupuncture is used primarily to relieve discomfort associated with various diseases and conditions, including:
· Postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
· Tooth pain
· Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
· Pregnancy pain
· Low back pain
· Neck Pain
· Osteoarthritis
· Menstrual cramps
· Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis
How to prepare
No special preparation is needed before acupuncture treatment.
How to choose an acupuncturist?
If you are considering acupuncture, follow the same steps you would follow to choose a doctor:
· Ask people you trust for recommendations.
· Check the acupuncturist's credentials and training. Most states require non-medical acupuncturists to pass an exam from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
· Ask for an interview with the acupuncturist. Ask what the treatment is, how likely it is to help you with your condition, and what the cost is.
· Find out if your health insurance covers the treatment.
Tell your doctor that you are considering acupuncture. Your doctor may be able to tell you about the success rate of acupuncture for your condition, or they might recommend an acupuncturist.
What you can expect
Acupuncture treatment
During an acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist inserts very fine needles at specific points on your body. Inserting the needles does not usually cause much discomfort.
Each person who does acupuncture has a unique style, often combining aspects of both Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that is best for you, your healthcare professional may ask about your symptoms, behaviors, and lifestyle. You can also carefully examine:
· The parts of the body where you feel pain
· The shape, coating and color of the tongue
· Face color
· The strength, rhythm and quality of the pulse at the wrist
This initial evaluation and treatment can take up to 60 minutes. Subsequent medical appointments generally take about half an hour. Generally, a frequent treatment plan for a single problem would consist of one or two treatments per week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition to be treated and how severe it is. In general, it is common to receive six to eight treatments.
During the procedure
Acupuncture points are found in all parts of the body. Sometimes the right points are too far from the area of pain. The acupuncturist will inform you of the general site of the planned treatment and will indicate if you have to remove any garments. He will give you a robe, towel or sheet. You must lie on a padded table during the treatment, which consists of the following:
· Insertion of needles. Acupuncture needles are inserted at different depths at strategic points on the body. The needles are very fine, so inserting them usually causes little discomfort. Often people do not feel anything when they are introduced. In a typical treatment, between 5 and 20 needles are used. You may have a slight sore feeling when the needle reaches the correct depth.
· Handling needles. The acupuncturist may gently move or twist the needles after inserting them, or apply heat or mild electrical impulses to them.
· Removal of needles. In most cases, the needles stay in place for 10 to 20 minutes while you lie down and relax. Generally, there is no discomfort when the needles are removed.
After the procedure
Some people feel relaxed and others energetic after an acupuncture treatment. However, not everyone responds to this treatment. If your symptoms don't start to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.
Results
The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to estimate, although many people find it useful as a way to manage various pain disorders.
However, several studies indicated that some types of sham acupuncture seem to give the same results as real acupuncture. There is also evidence that acupuncture works best for people who hope it will work.
Acupuncture has few side effects; therefore, it is worth a try if you have difficulty controlling pain with more conventional methods.
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