What
Is 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 US until 1971 when
diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed.
 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 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." |
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How Does It Work?
Far too often in the medical professions, 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
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.
Acupuncture's goal is to restore normalcy to the body's energy balance
by utilizing a combination of Acupoints located on the twelve meridians.
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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 hypodermic
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 to "less
than a mosquito bite." A phenomena referred to as "TEHCHI" occurs when
the energy is contacted. This sensation is felt as a mild to moderate
heaviness or tingling.
Needles obviously 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
taping 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.
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