Acuppuncture: Questions & Answers

Whether you are new to finding out about acupuncture or you are a professional in the field, chances are that you’ve always loved to learn about new therapies and training techniques. In the American society, acupuncture is one therapy that has recently been introduced and has been made more popular by a whole lot of people. On the other hand, the Chinese civilizations have long known about acupuncture and its effectiveness on the body. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, and there is plenty more to learn about the age-old therapy of acupuncture.

Question 1: Will Acupuncture Work for Any and All Ailments?

Answer 1: There are many people who believe that Acupuncture will work for any and all ailments, but there are probably some diseases and ailments that just simply are not cured by acupuncture. For starters, little research has been done to see whether or not the acupuncture therapy will work for those who are suffering from HIV and AIDS. Other than those two diseases, though, there are probably hundreds of other common ailments that aren’t cured by the age-old technique, too. In addition, it’s not possible that every single disease and ailment could be studied by the therapy of acupuncture, so there are just some cases and diseases that are not known whether or not acupuncture is successful!

Question 2: Will Acupuncture Prevent any Illnesses?

Answer 2: The Chinese believe that the pressure points along the body are the ones that are responsible for most of the bodily pain that we feel. In believing this, though, the theory would also have to go by the fact that by practicing acupuncture then there are naturally going to be some illnesses that are automatically avoided? Of course, avoiding these types of illnesses usually requires strict adherence and practice of acupuncture almost daily, if not just regularly in an attempt to foster preventive care within the body.

Question 3: Why Did Acupuncture Originate?

There are many theories as to the reason of when acupuncture originated and how it came to be in the United States, among many other countries, but not many discussions shed light on the matter of why this therapy came to be. Most likely, however, the absence of any types of medications in the ancient Chinese civilizations brought about a yearning for a medical therapy that would work for almost any disease, illness, or ailment that humans felt. Even though this therapy is not scientifically based, there is still much to be learned from the therapy that Chinese cultures have relied heavily upon for so many years.

These are just some of the questions and mysteries surrounding the practice of acupuncture. There are plenty of acupuncture professional therapists around the world, especially in the Chinese culture, which will also help answer any other questions that one may have. In the end, though, it comes down to the real benefit of acupuncture which should lead people to their trust in this therapy that has come all the way around the world!

Introduction to Acupuncture

Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine and is acclaimed as one of the oldest forms of healing throughout the world. The concept that lies underneath acupuncture is the belief that a disruption in the flow of qi and imbalances within the forces of both yin and yang cause disease. Using a combination of herbs, meditation, massage and acupuncture are believed to restore the balance of yin-hang and the flow of qi and thus aid the healing process. The process of acupuncture involves stimulating specific points in the body in order to remove blockages in the flow of qi and thus restore and maintain health. In the United States acupuncture falls into the area of alternative medicine, which means it is not accepted as part of conventional medicine.

Although acupuncture is not part of traditional medicine, there are several points that we have to consider about this procedure:

• The Chinese and other Asian people have used the procedure for thousands of years.

• Scientists are currently studying the effectiveness of the procedure for treating many different conditions.

• Very few complications are known as a result of acupuncture although there can be serious side effects if the procedure is not performed by someone qualified to perform the procedure.

Although the procedure has been in existence in China and other Asian countries for many years, it has only been in use in the United States since 1971. Since it was first introduced, many people have chosen to use acupuncture for many different conditions including post-surgical pain, arthritis, chronic pain, and even migraines. Some people cringe at the thought of needles being injected into their skin while others swear by the benefits of acupuncture. Many people who cringed at the thought in the beginning chose to try it after all traditional medical procedures failed.

There is no need to be afraid of acupuncture as long as you visit a qualified practitioner. In the United States, the FDA has regulations for the use of the needles up to and including the requirement for one time use. The problems develop when a provider does not follow proper safety procedures or a patient chooses to visit someone who is not a qualified practitioner. You would not visit a medical doctor who did not have the proper qualifications to care for you, so you should exercise the same precaution when choosing an acupuncturist.

By understanding the key concepts of the procedure and making certain you choose a competent practitioner, you will have a better understanding of acupuncture and will be able to make an informed decision regarding the benefits it may provide for you. Never choose a practitioner based upon the recommendation of anyone unless you conduct your own research first.