Alternative Treatments Information Update

French Translation

Bookmark and Share

What Disorders Can Acupuncture Treat and How Does It Work?


How did acupuncture start?

The story was met with widespread disbelief.

During a visit to China in 1978, cardiologist Doctor Isadore Rosenfeld witnessed open-heart surgery on a patient, anaesthetised only with acupuncture. A major operation and the patient was awake! Nothing like it had ever been seen before in the west.

But acupuncture is over 5000 years old. There is evidence that it was practiced by the ancient Egyptians. South African tribesmen scratched their bodies to cure disease and the Eskimos used a simple form of acupuncture. In ancient China the Yellow Emperor's bible on internal medicine talks about the importance of acupuncture for curing disease and restoring health.

Today, in China and Taiwan there are over 232,000 traditional Chinese medical doctors practicing acupuncture. In America there are more than 8000 qualified acupuncturists, 16 acupuncture schools and 2 medical schools teaching acupuncture. As a treatment it's accepted and practiced worldwide.

What ailments can acupuncture treat?

Many people assume that acupuncture is used as a simple pain control technique. A technique where needles are inserted to interrupt the nerve pathways that send pain messages to the brain. But acupuncture is much more than this. It's designed to treat any malady and works to balance the energy of your entire body.

Based on clinical experience, it's known that acupuncture can treat a variety of respiratory, eye and mouth, gastro-intestinal, neurological and muscular disorders. It's especially effective on headaches, migraine and back pain.

Acupuncture is also used to stop smoking, lose weight, lower blood pressure, relive constipation, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, asthma and alleviate skin disorders.

How can it treat all these ailments? It works by 'unblocking' and balancing your energy 'circuits'. And unlike conventional drugs, there are only beneficial side-effects such as sleeping better, more energy, deeper breathing and many other bonuses.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture means 'to puncture with a needle'. Fine, flexible needles, about the diameter of a human hair, are inserted into points along the principal meridians of your body.

Your body has a network of energy channels or 'meridians' in which your 'ki' flows. Each meridian is associated with a physiological system and internal organ.

There are 12 principal meridians that run the length of your body and each one has more than 350 acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Inserting a needle into a point will 'unblock' or stimulate the energy flow through the meridian in a very predictable and measured way.

What happens during a treatment session?

Acupucture is all part of the philosophy and practice of TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine, which uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis.

A qualified acupuncturist will also check the 'palpation' of the acupuncture points or meridians, your medical history and any other signs or symptoms of disorder.

The treatment is painless and insertion of the needles can feel like an insect bite or tiny prick. If you are sensitive you will feel warmth or energy flow and is often described as a 'buzz'.

Sometimes moxibustion is used to increase the heat effect at the insertion point. A Chinese herb, 'Moxa', is placed on the needle and lit. This can stimulate the blood flow as well as the 'chi'.

Is acupuncture safe?

Nobody can predict the changes that will occur. Your body will do what it needs to do to heal itself. But the healing process starts with skilful diagnosis and the correct stimulation of precise acupuncture points.

Acupuncture will often compliment traditional western medicine, and in the hands of a trained and properly qualified acupuncturist, you are perfectly safe. And for many people it is enjoyable too.

Although the Chinese may have enjoyed the benefits of acupuncture for many centuries, the legacy of discoveries by men such as Dr Isadore Rosenfeld means we can all benefit from this wonderful treatment.

Terry Dunn writes regular articles on how to use alternative therapies to improve your health. From aromatherapy to yoga, discover what it's like, how it works and how you can benefit. To read more articles, visit his website, http://www.holistichealthtalk.com


MORE RESOURCES:

FOXSports.com

<!-- ALTERNATIVE CONTENT FOR NON-JS BROWSERS, SEE NOTE (1) --> <div><a class ...
FOXSports.com
After more than 20 years of covering everything from election campaigns to Olympic Games, Robert Lusetich turned his focus to writing about his first love — golf. He is author of Unplayable: An Inside Account of Tiger's Most Tumultuous Season.

and more »


USA TODAY

Grammys 2012: 'Bon Iver' wins for alternative album
Los Angeles Times
The experimental folk act Bon Iver has won for alternative album at the 54th Grammy Awards for its second and self-titled album, beating several major-label peers for the honor. The project, led by Wisconsin-based singer-songwriter Justin Vernon, ...
Bon Iver wins Grammy for best alternative music albumMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Bon Iver Grammys 2012: Justin Vernon and Band Win Best Alternative Music AlbumSpinner
Grammy-Shunning Bon Iver Wins Grammy for Best Alternative AlbumWetpaint
STLtoday.com
all 747 news articles »


Alternative Medicine May Impact Physical and Emotional Health - Dr. Carol ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Fields associated to the New Biology suggest that alternative medicine tools may impact cellular health and biochemistry and psychological well-being. 12 of these tools will be taught Feb 16, 2012, by Psychologist Dr. Carol Francis in the Los ...

and more »


Stoughton Academy offers alternative to traditional high school
The Patriot Ledger
DiClemente started looking into alternatives when a friend considered dropping out of high school. Through her research, she came across Stoughton Academy. The school offers night classes for students who have dropped out of high school or adults ...

and more »


Wisconsin's Bon Iver wins Best Alternative Music Album
Newsradio 620
By The WTMJ News Team The Eau Claire-based experimental folk band took home the trophy for Best Alternative Music Album for their second and self-titled album Sunday night. They're also nominated for Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the ...

and more »


My Fox 8

School bra search case headed to NC Supreme Court
My Fox 8
RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The case of a teenager who had to untuck her shirt and pull out her bra with her thumb as part of a search for pills at an alternative school in North Carolina is headed to the state Supreme Court. A 2-1 ruling last year by the ...
NC high court to hear case of teen who had to lift bra as part of school's ...The Republic

all 64 news articles »


Alternative Valentine's Day ideas
Gaston Gazette
Valentine's Day is just days away, and if you haven't already purchased your heart-shaped box of candy for your sweetie, here are a few ideas to make your holiday a little more special, and a lot more green. Celebrating “love” on Valentine's Day is ...



Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Science Hints at Alternative Recipes for Life. Evolution is the Common Thread
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
Some insight now is coming from earthly labs, where scientists are building alternative kinds of genetic codes, and showing how they can evolve. Whether life could be built with an alien biochemistry was among the more interesting questions that came ...



Christian-based alternative to Girl Scouts grows in St. Louis area
STLtoday.com
American Heritage Girl "Tenderheart" Bailey Nagle salutes the flag during a flag ceremony which started the troop meeting Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at St. John's Lutheran School in Ellisville. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com ...

and more »


USA TODAY

Rick Santorum is the conservative alternative to reality
Washington Post (blog)
By Stephen Stromberg Rick Santorum isn't the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. He's the conservative alternative to reality. He consistently mistakes belief for truth — and even fiction for fact. On abortion, belief becomes truth: He regularly ...
Conservatives: Romney's OK if Obama is alternativeHuffington Post
Santorum Pulls A Newt: It's A 'Two-Person Race!'TPM
Our opinion: GOP campaign is driven by a force of nature: VotersTimes Record News
CBS News -The Daily Campus
all 5,100 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2010