Acupuncture And Its Uses

Acupuncture is a drug free healing art, which has helped millions of people for thousands of years. It originated in China about four thousand years ago and due to its usefulness, today, it is being used worldwide to treat many ailments. Acupuncture is based on maintaining the energy balance throughout the body. Acupuncturists unblock the flow of vital energy by inserting hair thin needles in specific body points. Acupuncture has also been showed to raise Serotonin to help with mood and the White Bloods Cells to help with inflammation in the body.

As Acupuncture is a drug free therapy, there are no side effects. This is the reason why many people are turning to the acupuncture to treat their illness.

Acupuncturists believe that, when the energy flow is blocked or disrupted it results in aches, pains and illness. Through needle insertions, acupuncturists unblock the flow of energy, and it regulates the bodies natural ability to heal itself. Needle insertion increases a level of endorphins, which is a natural pain relief hormone. This way, it reduces the need of medical intervention and drug consumption for pain relief. Acupuncture for pain relieving has its long lasting advantages. Acupuncture proves immensely beneficial to relieve body aches and pains irrespective of age and gender of the person.

Apart from treating illness, acupuncture is beneficial to treat the various health issues during pregnancy and hormonal care. During each step, from pregnancy to labor and postpartum, acupuncture is the safe, beneficial and results oriented remedy.

Many women suffer from the morning sickness, back pain, nausea, headache, vomiting, pelvic pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia, heartburn, leg cramps and various such other health issues, during and after pregnancy. Treatment of Acupuncture for pregnancy is safe, because it cures health issues without exposing a mother and yet-to-born child to the chemical based drugs. Acupuncture reduces the labor duration and even lessens the Baby Blues symptoms. It is equally beneficial to solve many breastfeeding concerns.

Acupuncture can be used to treat infants' health problems like diarrhea, sinus, skin rashes, ear, throat, nose infections, fevers, colic, asthma, etc. Though it hard to see your baby being treated with needles, acupuncture needles are hair thin, and the process is much more gentle than the routine vaccinations. Babies do not have needle phobia like most of the elders. So, you might observe that your baby is actually enjoying the process. Acupuncture fastens the postpartum healing process and improvises the overall health of a baby and mother, as well.

People, who are experiencing infertility, acupuncture treatment is immensely useful for them, as well. Acupuncture regulates the body's own functioning. Irregular ovulation and menstrual cycle, blockage of sperms ducts are some of the contributing factors to infertility. Acupuncture reduces the intensity of such irregularities by balancing the flow of vital energy in the body. Acupuncture treatment, coupled with the herbal medicines, proves most beneficial to improvise the reproductive system of both, men and women.

Acupuncture in Ancient China - A History of This Traditional Medicine

Acupuncture originated in China around 8,000 B.C. during the new Stone Age. Back then they did not use needles. They used a type of stone called "Bian" to puncture abscesses and lesions on the skin. This technique healed wounds by draining toxins from the body. As acupuncture developed over the centuries, so too did the acupuncture needle. It evolved from using stone needles to needles made from animal bones. During the Qin Dynasty metal was developed and metal needles replaced bone. There were copper needles, then silver and gold. Today we use sterile, one-time-use, stainless steel needles.

The earliest known textbook on acupuncture and Chinese medicine is called "Huang Di Nei Jing" which was written between 770 B.C. and 221 B.C. during the Spring/Autumn and Warring States eras. This book described in detail the theories of the acupuncture diagnostic system. These theories, which are still used today, include the Yin/Yang theory, Five Element theory, Organ (Zang/Fu) theory, Meridian theory, and Qi/Blood theory. Together they form the basis and foundation for Chinese medicine, which treats a person's health in a holistic way.

Meridian theory is the most important theory in acupuncture. Through centuries of observation, clinical practice and detailed documentation, Chinese doctors discovered sets of points on the body that, when needle properly, were able to resolve disease. By the 3rd century A.D., Chinese doctors had documented 365 acupuncture points located on 14 meridians, or pathways, on the body. From the 3rd to the 19th century, Chinese doctors documented a few hundred additional acupuncture points, called "extra" points, which are not on the main meridians. Acupuncture points, when needled, have powerful properties, including the ability to conduct sensations up and down the human body, influence organ function, and interact with other acupuncture points along the meridians.

As early as the 6th century, doctors from Japan and Korea came to China to learn acupuncture. Chinese doctors also traveled to Japan and Korea to teach acupuncture. Acupuncture spread to Europe in the 16th century, and became known to the U.S. in the 1970's. In 1971, the New York Times reporter James Reston went to China on business. During his visit, he was struck with an acute case of appendicitis. He went to a Chinese hospital to get treatment. The Chinese doctors successfully removed his appendix using acupuncture anesthesia and treated his post-surgery pain with acupuncture. He was very impressed with the acupuncture he received. When he came back to the U.S. he wrote an article about his experiences with acupuncture. That started the awareness of acupuncture in the U.S. You can read the article he wrote in 1971 on our website.

Three Simple Tips To Remember When Choosing A Good Acupuncture Clinic

The art of acupuncture originated in the East, specifically China. It's a very old practice, steeped in tradition and observed for centuries. During the second half of the twentieth century, the practice spread to Western Europe. These days, it had been incorporated into modern medical practice. It involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient's skin at specific points on the body. These needles are inserted to various depths. There have been a number of proven benefits of acupuncture, but the most notable one is its therapeutic benefits. It can alleviate pain, even that caused by chemotherapy.

Acupuncture also involves several sessions if you're interested in undergoing it. Before the procedure will be administered, you will have to be assessed by a specialist. The patient will also be told what to expect and instructed on self-care after each session. A regular session lasts for about thirty minutes or a little longer. However, take note that this will not cure serious illnesses or the like. Hence, this should not be viewed as a remedy, but a treatment. Moreover, it will yield benefits only when performed properly. Thus, you must choose your acupuncturist or acupuncture clinic with care.

So how do you choose a good acupuncturist or clinic? There are a few essential details you need to keep in mind. First, you have to be well-acquainted with this treatment. That way, you will know what exactly it is for and what to expect from it. This will also form the basis of your assessment when you check out different specialists. Be on the lookout for those who had the necessary education and training in a Masters program for Chinese medicine. While the specialist doesn't need to be a Chinese, he must have the required certification and training. Note that other professionals in the medical field are also allowed to practice this to some extent.

Second, utilize your online resources to know more about a particular clinic or specialist. If the clinic is a reputable one, it will definitely have a website. It may even have accounts in social networking sites. Keep an eye out for client reviews and testimonials. These can help you gauge the kind of services the clinic or specialist actually delivers. Lastly, schedule a consultation. Once you have determine which one, two, or three clinics you are interested in, set an appointment with them. That way, you can meet the professionals personally. You will then be able to make your final selection.

I Can't Get Pregnant - Can Acupuncture Help?

If you have been trying to get pregnant without success or have just decided to start trying, acupuncture is the single most effective way to help. Clinical research has shown acupuncture to be effective in helping women get pregnant, both naturally and in conjunction with Western medical treatments such as IUI and IVF. Acupuncture can dramatically improve your chances of getting pregnant by increasing blood circulation in your body, particularly to your ovaries and uterus, helping regulate your hormone levels and menstrual cycle, and improve your egg quality. In men, acupuncture improves the quality, quantity and mobility of sperm.

Jody suffered from interstitial cystitis (IC) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and was told by her doctors that it would be very difficult for her to get pregnant. Her doctors even doubted that she was ovulating. Her hormone levels were out of balance. She started acupuncture treatment feeling exhausted from battling her IC and frustrated with her poor prospects of getting pregnant. To her surprise and immense joy, after just two months of treatment not only were her IC symptoms dramatically reduced, but she was pregnant!

Acupuncture improves your overall health, and helps you become more relaxed and happy. When you are relaxed your body naturally performs better. Feeling more at ease in the midst of your busy life sends a clear message to your body that despite the stresses of life, you have the capacity to nurture another human being, your future baby. But when you are constantly stressed and unhappy, your body is in a "fight or flight" mode. A body focused on "survival" has little room to embrace "reproduction."

Terry was 43 years old when she began acupuncture treatment wanting to get pregnant. The fertility doctors said she was not a good candidate because her "eggs were too old". She and her husband desperately wanted a child. She was very stressed about this, and was having difficulty sleeping. The focus of her acupuncture treatments was to increase blood circulation to her uterus and ovaries, and to improve her overall health. As soon as her acupuncture treatments started, her sleeping improved and her stress levels diminished. And in less than three months she was pregnant.

A key feature in preparing the body to become pregnant is to help a woman have a regular menstrual cycle. So many women trying to get pregnant have an irregular cycle, suffer from painful periods, or sometimes don't have a period at all. Acupuncture works well to regulate a woman's cycle. Once that is achieved, it is much easier to get pregnant.

Carrie had been on birth control pills for years. Six months ago she stopped, as she wanted to get pregnant. To her dismay, her period completely stopped. Doctors offered her medication that would force her to have a period, but she preferred a natural alternative. After two months of acupuncture, her period returned. Two months after that she was pregnant!

Acupuncture is also very helpful for women who have suffered from previous miscarriages. In Chinese medicine miscarriage is often caused by internal organ weakness. Acupuncture helps women with high risk pregnancies have healthy babies by strengthening organs that are weak, deficient or out of balance.

Nancy started acupuncture after having lost her last pregnancy to miscarriage in the third trimester. The loss of her baby had been devastating. Both she and her doctor were apprehensive about her trying again. With the help of acupuncture, she was quickly able to get pregnant. But her anxiety levels were still high. She continued acupuncture during her pregnancy, where treatments focused on strengthening her internal organs and also controlling her anxiety and stress levels. After nine months she delivered a healthy baby boy!

When To Avoid Dry Needling

Have you ever heard of dry needling before? A lot of people confuse dry needling with acupuncture. However, these two traditional medical methods are quite different from each other.

This needling practice started several decades ago and is considered an extension of physical therapy. However, there are not so many medical institutions that have recognized this method yet. In general, this is used for relieving pain particularly pain in the lower back. It has been used for several experts in treating conditions such as sciatica, herniated discs and slipped discs.

As needling expands, it's important to know the possible side effects, or when to avoid using dry needing. One of the side effects such as pain and bruising. In some cases, it can also cause bleeding. If you have tried this method before, you may have also felt soreness for a few days after it was administered.

When do you need to avoid dry needling? There are several circumstances when you should dry needling. This practice has some risks therefore you need to think through it first before you try it.

Avoid this needling practice when you are pregnant. Although there are few cases of complications on pregnant people, it is still very important to be cautious. When you are pregnant, your body is more sensitive and more vulnerable. There may be certain regions of your body where this practice is prohibited. You should also remember that when you are pregnant, you are not only after your health but also the health of your baby. Therefore, you should never try medical methods if you are not sure they are healthy for you and your child.

Avoid dry needling if you are not sure about the therapist. Needling, like acupuncture, should be administered by people who have thoroughly practiced this method. This practice involves inserting needles in different parts of your body including nerves. Therefore, you need to make sure that the therapist who will administer dry needling is an expert. Unless you are one hundred percent sure about the skill and reputation of the physician, you should never have someone insert needles in your body. This may case more complications than relief. You need to always take care of your body.

Avoid this type of needling practice if you have belonephobia. Belonephobia is the fear of needles. It's just common sense. If you are afraid of needles, how can you have someone insert needles on you? You will just feel very uncomfortable about the practice and you may even faint if your phobia is very strong. If you faint during the practice, it can be dangerous because there will be a lot of needles lying around and you may become injured. You know you have belonephobia if, whenever you see a needle, you sweat a lot, feel dizzy, feel sick and palpitate. If you really want to try dry needling, you should first overcome your fear of needles.

Acupuncture and Depression: An Effective Treatment

Acupuncture treats depression by correcting the physical imbalances at the root of the condition. Chinese medicine believes that depression, although recognized in the West as a mental or emotional problem, is actually a physical problem that simply manifests emotionally. The root of most depression, again from a Chinese medicine perspective, is blocked energy, what we call blocked Qi or Qi stagnation. When the natural movement of energy does not flow smoothly, it triggers one or more of the classic symptoms of depression.

You may have trouble falling asleep even when you're tired. Or you may fall asleep but can't stay asleep, waking at night unable to fall back to sleep for hours. Or you may want to sleep all the time, at night, during the day, feeling like you just can't get enough sleep. You may have trouble with eating, either having no appetite or wanting to eat all the time. You might have strong cravings for sweets, salty foods, high carbohydrate or rich foods. You may feel so tired physically and mentally that you don't even want to move or think. You will most likely lose interest and motivation for doing anything.

Additional symptoms of depression may include having repeating thoughts that won't go away, feeling extreme emotions (of sadness, irritability, anger), or a complete lack of emotions (feeling emotionally numb). You may experience a profound sadness, losing hope of ever feeling better. Sometimes physical pain accompanies depression, like headaches or neck aches. When you're depressed the brain does not function correctly, leading to foggy thinking, trouble remembering and poor concentration. You may be overly sensitive to your environment and to people around you. Bright lights might bother you, and normal sounds, voices and music may become intolerable.

How does energy get blocked in the first place, triggering depression? Qi gets blocked by a number of factors, including stress, trauma, chronic pain, and poor diet. Acupuncture resolves depression so effectively because it gets the stagnant Qi to move again in the body. And unlike most medications, acupuncture's effects have long lasting results. In other words, acupuncture gets your qi moving and at the same time strengthens your body to keep the qi moving on it's own. Let's face it, you were not born depressed. Your body was able to move it's qi quite well in the past. Acupuncture trains your body to do it's job again, returning you to health.

In addition to moving the qi, acupuncture corrects the other symptoms that manifest along with depression. It improves sleep by regulating your day/night cycle, calming your mind to reduce negative thoughts, and reducing anxiety that often accompanies depression, especially at night. Acupuncture increases your mental alertness and concentration by stimulating brain activity, and boosts your physical energy by strengthening your Spleen function. It regulates your digestive function to either increase your appetite if you've lost it or reduce your cravings if your depression has triggered binge eating.

Acupuncture also increases your natural tolerance to environmental stimuli so your surroundings and people around you no longer bother you. As the Qi starts flowing again through your body you will regain your motivation, feel hopeful again and start enjoying interactions with people around you.

The results are generally impressive. The vast majority of people who suffer from either mild or moderate depression, once treated with acupuncture, will have a full recovery. People suffering from major depression, accompanied with suicidal thoughts, can receive acupuncture, but only in conjunction with proper care from a psychiatrist.

So many people think they are stuck with their depression and just need to manage it as best they can. But there's a better solution, a drug-free solution in many cases, and that's acupuncture.

Health and Fitness: Acupuncture Article

Health and Fitness: Acupuncture Article