Western Acupuncture Article
Acupuncture chinese medicine
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles into the skin at particular points on the body, to prevent or treat ill health or maintain good health. This is thought to stimulate the body's ability to heal. Acupuncture is most effective at treating chronic pain, such as headaches; menstrual cramps; and low back, neck, or muscle pain. It can also be used to treat arthritis, facial pain, pain from shingles, and spastic colon and colitis conditions. Acupuncture is believed to have its beginnings on primitive battlefields, where weapons included arrows and stones [4]. Apparently, Chinese soldiers and their local internists noticed that after suffering certain war wounds, other chronic, pre-war complaints disappeared.
Acupuncture is a complex intervention that may vary for different patients with similar chief complaints. The number and length of treatments and the specific points used may vary among individuals and during the course of treatment. Acupuncture is of interest in that its cost to Medicare is calculable. Acupuncture is practiced by inserting needles, applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points. Each acupuncture point will have a specific energy angle and a certain penetration depth.
Acupuncture is at least 2,000 years old. It is a form of therapy within the system of Asian medicine. Acupuncture is the insertion of needles into specific location on the body to assist with the relief for pain and illness. This requires specific knowledge on acupuncture techniques as well as infection control and minimum hygiene standards. Acupuncture is based on the Chinese belief that the human body is controlled by a life force known as Qi (pronounced 'chee'). Qi flows through the body in channels, known as meridians.
Acupuncture is generally a very safe procedure. If a patient is in doubt about a medical condition, more than one physician should be consulted. Acupuncture is being promoted as both an "alternative" treatment and an adjunct to standard treatment. In China, it was banned in 1929 but underwent resurgence in the 1960s during the Cultural Revolution. Acupuncture is one of the complementary medical treatments most commonly covered by health insurance, but check with your carrier to be sure.
Acupuncture is a component of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system of medicine. As such, a diagnosis based on TCM is generally made prior to the administration of acupuncture needles. Acupuncture is one of the key components of the system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the TCM system of medicine, the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces: yin and yang. Acupuncture is safe during pregnancy as long as the practitioner is a licensed acupuncturist and has gone through a three- or four-year training program. Acupuncture is traditionally used during pregnancy to help relieve nausea, bladder discomfort, mood swings, and other symptoms.
Acupuncture is often used to treat conditions that have not responded well to conventional medicine or it can be used as an adjunct to other techniques. Chartered physiotherapists will use sterilized single-use needles, which are disposed of after treatment. Acupuncture is considered a reimbursable expense for flexible spending accounts and medical savings plans. Acupuncture is limited in treating conditions or traumas that require surgery or emergency care (such as for broken bones).
