What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a method of TCM treatment that assumes inserting very thin needles through a patient’s skin at specific points on the body, to different depths, depending on the point position.
Research suggests that acupuncture treatment helps relieve the severity of pain, and thus acupuncture is used for a wide range of medical conditions.
How this Chinese treatment works scientifically remains unclear. The oriental philosophy claims acupuncture works by balancing dynamic Yin and Yang energies, while modern Western medical science believes it has a neurological effect.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) describes health as the result of harmonious stability of the opposite extremes of “yin” and “yang” of the life force known as “energy qi,” pronounced “chi.” Diseases are said to be the consequence of a disproportion of the forces.
Qi energy is said to stream through the human body’s passages, known as meridians or channels. These meridians and consequently the flow of energy are reachable through nearly 1350 acupuncture points located on the channels in the body.
The principles of this Chinese treatment have their roots in traditional Chinese medicine. The main idea is to create balance throughout the body. During an acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist inserts ultra-thin needles into specific acupuncture points that correspond to the body’s various organ systems.
While the points may seem random, each point is filled with neurovascular structures. This means that inserting this little needle into the appropriate acupoint on the leg can trigger a reaction in the eye.
In the United States, the practice of acupuncture is strictly regulated. Years of education are required to obtain a license, and many practitioners learn other types of traditional medicine as part of their training.
Acupuncturists learn to treat the body as a whole, unlike Western medicine, which targets a specific condition. When creating a personalized treatment plan, they consider everything from the patient’s posture and breathing to diet and lifestyle. The plan often includes Chinese herbs, massage, lifestyle recommendations, and acupuncture treatments.
The science behind oriental philosophy
Traditional medicine has mocked acupuncture, but science has found it works. Research shows that acupuncture can treat infertility, nausea, chronic pain, and more.
People who struggle with infertility often rely on IVF to get pregnant. However, treatments are costly. The success rate is only around 40% for women under 35, which drops dramatically with the patient’s age. Oftentimes, a patient spends thousands of dollars going through several IVF cycles without a successful pregnancy.
The good news is that acupuncture can be used with IVF treatments to increase the likelihood of conception. A study published by Fertility and Sterility found that women who received acupuncture at certain times during the IVF process had a higher conception rate and successful pregnancies.
So why is it working? TCM experts at the Yinova Center in Brooklyn, New York, explain that acupuncture increases uterine blood flow. This creates a thicker uterine lining, which means a friendlier environment for implantation and a better chance of a healthy pregnancy.
This Chinese treatment can also be helpful in cases where the problem is male infertility. Clinical trials show that acupuncture can improve sperm count and quantity to increase your chances of conception.
Science shows that acupuncture can be helpful in other areas as well. Not only can it relieve pain, but it can also strengthen your immune system and relieve common s犀利士
ymptoms of the disease. For example, a study by the National Institutes of Health shows that acupuncture relieves nausea and other side effects of chemotherapy and cancer, including pain.
Many chronic disease patients who receive regular acupuncture have decreased their dependence on pain medications.
What is acupuncture good for
The question that was searched about 6600 times/day on Google is what acupuncture is for. If transforming into a human pillow seems crazy, you are not alone! While many are still skeptical of acupuncture, many like it. This practice has been widespread in Eastern cultures for over 3,000 years.
It has been practiced all over the world in recent years. The number of acupuncturists in the United States has almost doubled over the past decade. However, despite its growing popularity, many people do not understand how it works.
Let’s dive into the science behind acupuncture, how it works, and why you should try it. This treatment is primarily used to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of illnesses and conditions, including:
- Nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and postoperative
- Dental pain
- Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
- The pain of labor
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Menstrual cramps
- Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis
Why you should consider trying TCM
Evidence shows that using acupuncture in conjunction with conventional medicine can significantly improve the outcome for the patient. Treatments are considered safe, and there are few or no side effects.
If you are suffering from chronic pain or illness, acupuncture can reduce or eliminate the need for prescription drugs. Many mainstream doctors are also beginning to see the value of alternative treatments. It is not uncommon to see conventional doctors working side by side with alternative doctors.
What are the risks of TCM in general and acupuncture in particular?
Like any other medical treatment, acupuncture has some side effects, but they are sporadic. The risks are minimal when you research and seek out a licensed and fully qualified acupuncture doctor.
The risks of this natural Chinese treatment are insignificant if you choose a well-trained and certified TCM practitioner who uses disposable needles. Common side effects include pain and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Disposable and disposable needles are now the standard of practice, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. You may be at risk for complications if:
- Having a bleeding disorder. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from needles increase if you suffer from a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners medicines.
- Having a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles can interfere with the functioning of a pacemaker.
- Pregnancy Some types of this treatment are thought to stimulate labor, which could result in premature birth.
Choosing a TCM practitioner
If you are considering acupuncture, follow the same steps as when choosing a doctor:
- Ask for advice from people you trust.
- Check the practitioner’s training and qualifications. In most states, non-physicist acupuncturists must pass an exam administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, NCCAOM.
- Interview a practitioner. Ask what treatment means, how likely it is to help your condition, and how much it will cost.
- Find out if your insurance covers the treatment.
- Inform your primary physician if you are considering TCM treatment. He or she can tell you about the success of acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture specialist.
Conclusion
There is ample evidence to suggest that acupuncture can be helpful for various conditions. Those who want more control over their health and want to avoid using drugs and invasive treatments should try it. The risks are extremely low and can significantly improve the quality of life.
Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic, directed by the Medical Doctor Victor Tsan, is the #1 TCM facility in the City of Brotherly Love and Vicinities. Dr. Tsan is an internationally recognized medical practitioner with more than 40 years of academic and clinical experience in oriental medicine, homeopathy, and hypnotherapy.
To schedule your TCM evaluation and treatment appointment, contact our clinic at 267-403-3085 or use our online secure application.