Acupuncture can help relieve pain and treat a range of other problems. However, exactly how this works remains unclear. Some people believe it works by balancing life energy, while others believe it has a neurological effect.
Acupuncture
In this article we detail what acupuncture is, how it can work and what the benefits and risks of this practice are.
Acupuncture involves inserting needles into the body to stimulate sensory nerves of the skin and muscles. This
Acupuncture has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is now a
TCM explains that health is The result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of the yin and yang of the life force known as Qi, pronounced “chi”. Defenders believe that illness is the consequence of an imbalance of these forces.
According to TCM, Qi flows through the meridians, or pathways, of the human body. These meridians and energy flows are accessible via 361 acupuncture points in the body. Inserting needles into these points with appropriate combinations will restore balance to the energy flow.
A 2017 review suggests that many acupuncture points are in locations where stimulation can affect the activity of multiple sensory neurons. These sites are also called receptive fields.
The physical stimulation from inserting the needle at these sites can affect pain processing in the central nervous system and muscles and increase blood flow to certain parts of the body.
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All therapies have both risks and benefits. A person should always consult a doctor before undertaking any therapy.
Possible risks acupuncture are as follows:
- Bleeding, bruising, and pain may occur at the insertion sites.
- Unsterilized needles can lead to infection.
- In rare cases, a needle may break and damage an internal organ.
THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices. Their manufacturing and labeling must meet certain standards. Needles must be sterile, non-toxic and labeled “single use” by a licensed practitioner.
As with any complementary therapy, it is advisable to use acupuncture alongside conventional treatments in cases of chronic or serious illnesses.
Acupuncture is a common complementary therapy that can help people manage many different conditions.
The benefits of acupuncture include:
- People can effectively combine acupuncture with other treatments.
- Effective acupuncture can help manage
chronic pain , migraineAnd headache. - Acupuncture carries a low risk of side effects.
- It is a flexible form of treatment that can target many health conditions simultaneously.
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An acupuncturist will examine a person and assess their condition, insert one or more fine, sterile needles, and offer advice.
Individuals typically sit or lie down during the procedure. The acupuncturist must use sterile, disposable, single-use needles. People may feel a very brief tingling or tingling sensation when the needle is inserted.
They may then feel a dull pain at the base of the needle.
Generally, the needles stay in place for 20-60 minutes, although this varies depending on the procedure.
In some practices, the acupuncturist
The number of treatments a person will need depends on their individual case. A person with a chronic illness may need one or two treatments per week over several months. An acute health problem generally improves after 8 to 12 sessions.
Acupuncture is a complementary therapy and should not replace treatments recommended by doctors.
Before undergoing acupuncture to treat chronic pain or other conditions, a person should seek advice from a primary care physician. In some U.S. states, acupuncturists may themselves be primary care physicians.
Acupuncture is a traditional complementary therapy that has historical origins in China. It involves inserting small needles to stimulate specific parts of the body and its neural network.
Studies show that acupuncture can help manage chronic pain, osteoarthritis, headaches and migraines.
Acupuncture carries little risk of side effects, and practitioners must be licensed to perform acupuncture procedures.
