Should You Try Acupuncture?

For many people, the use of Western medicine is an option they are willing to take anytime. But when things don’t fall into place, they look for other alternatives so they can be healthier once again. In Eastern medicine, acupuncture is one practice that has been widely used. Considering the fact that it is an effective treatment option for many different conditions, it is one practice that many Westerners are willing to try out.

If you have grown an interest on acupuncture, it is best to know what it is and how it can benefit you before you try using it. Here are some of the things you need to know about this age old practice:

What is acupuncture?

The practice of acupuncture can be traced back to at least 2,500 years in China. Considered as part of their health care system, the theoretical belief on the practice of acupuncture is based on the idea that the body contains energy flow patterns (Qi) that are vital for one’s health. Once a Qi is disrupted, a disease may occur and affect the individual. By practicing acupuncture, the disrupted flow may be corrected.

Acupuncture Varieties

Contrary to common belief, acupuncture consists of different procedures revolving around the anatomical location on or in the skin using a number of techniques. The American practice of acupuncture incorporates different traditions used in China, Korea, Japan, and other countries. However, the most studied practice of acupuncture makes use of penetrating the skin using thin, solid, metallic needles. These may either be manually manipulated or electrically stimulated onto the skin.

What does it treat?

Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture can help treat a total of 28 conditions. Among these conditions recognized by WHO include:

• Sinusitis
• Sore Throat
• Earache
• Poor Eyesight
• High Blood Pressure
• Anemia
• Arteriosclerosis
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Food Allergies
• Gastritis
• Hemorrhoids
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Morning Sickness
• Impotence
• Menopause
• Lupus
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress

How acupuncture works?

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body is composed of flow points known as Qi. There are 350 acupuncture points recognized by the practice. When one of these pathways is disrupted, an illness results because it gets disrupted and imbalanced. With the insertion of these needles, the energy flow can be brought back to its proper balance. Thus, this frees the individual from the health imbalance he is experiencing.

Benefits and Risks

Just like all other therapy alternatives, there are some benefits and risks involved. It is important to know what these are so that a good decision may be obtained:

Benefits:

• Effective combination treatment with other forms of therapy
• Once performed correctly, acupuncture can be very safe
• Effective to control pain
• Very little side effects
• Useful alternative for patients that don’t want to go through pain medication
• May be an option for patients that don’t respond to pain medications

Risks:

• May be dangerous for patients with a bleeding disorder
• May be dangerous for patients taking blood thinners
• Unsterilized needles may infect patients
• The insertion sites may encounter bleeding, soreness and bruising
• Although considered very rare, the needle may break and cause damage to the internal organ
• Another very rare occurrence is that there can be a risk of a collapsed lung once the needle has been inserted deeply into upper back or chest area

Knowing the risks involved with acupuncture, it is recommended that the individual should look for a credible acupuncturist and not just anyone with an advertisement for the oriental medicine practice. In doing this, the procedure may be a smooth, safe and effective for the patient.

How secure are the acupuncture needles?

Now that acupuncture has been recognized as an alternative form of medicine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started to regulate acupuncture needles. Along with this, they have removed the needles from their category known as “experimental medical devices.” Because of this, acupuncture needles receive the same amount of careful scrutiny and examination as other medical devices such as hypodermic syringes, surgical scalpels, and many more.

Companies that produce acupuncture needles are regulated for their good manufacturing practices as well as single-use standards to ensure sterility of the needles. Through this, acupuncture needles may be considered as a safe medical equipment for those that practice the medical therapy procedure with a careful and sterile process.

The actual acupuncture procedure

The actual acupuncture procedure requires the patient to lie down, either face down, up or on his side. This will depend on where the needles will be inserted into his body. Only single-use disposable sterile needles should be used throughout the procedure. Once each needle is inserted onto the patient’s skin, he is expected to feel them. Initially, however, they won’t produce any accompanying pain to it. The only time it starts producing a deep aching sensation is when the needle has been inserted onto the right depth. The needle will then be remained inserted on the skin for around twenty minutes. In some cases, the needles may be heated or stimulated with electricity after it has been inserted.

Finding an acupuncturist

Considering the fact that there are some risks involved, it is highly recommended that you look for a credible acupuncturist who can truly help with your condition. Here are some of the things you need to remember when you’re looking for one:

• Make sure you get the approval of your physician before you opt for acupuncture, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking medication.
• Check for the credentials of the acupuncturist you opt to visit. Make sure you verify his license, certification, and registration to practice acupuncture.
• You may go through different websites to help you look for an acupuncturist that you can trust for the treatment. Remember to never settle for anyone claiming to be a registered acupuncturist. You need to verify how credible he truly is.

There are plenty of reasons why you should look for a truly credible acupuncturist. Not only will he be able to help you with your condition, he will also make sure that you don’t get infected from unsterile needles.

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