The Surprising Benefits of Acupuncture

To most people the very idea of acupuncture is daunting to say the least. Having needles stuck in multiple locations on your skin seems more like a horror film than a reasonable therapy. Doubters should be encouraged to look past the initial impression and see what types of treatments you can pursue with acupuncture.

Acupuncture is being used to treat a variety of ailments with the growing popularity of alternative medicine. New doctors and acupuncture therapists are using age-old techniques to solve modern problems. Acupuncture is useful for treating everything from allergies to menstrual pain and even problems like glaucoma. Acupuncture works with the meridians throughout the body that correspond with your organs and get rid of the toxic buildup that causes problems with your health.

While acupuncture is not to be used in place of more traditional medicine, it can be used to offset symptoms of serious disease and help ease pain. Proponents of acupuncture are quick to recommend these treatments because of the whole body benefits like relaxation and general wellbeing. Acupuncture is also beneficial because it lacks side effects like those you can suffer when taking prescription pills.

With all the advancements and availability of acupuncture it’s worth a look to see if this ancient therapy can help to ease your pain or offset unwanted symptoms. Information regarding acupuncture is widely available and you can talk to a therapist about your questions and concerns before embarking on treatment options. Success stories are numerous, so take a chance on acupuncture to help yourself feel better.

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Acupuncture Can Treat Dry Eye Syndrome

A common condition that people over the age of 65 suffer from is that of dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome is when the eyes do not produce enough tears or lubrication. This causes the eyes to appear incredibly dry, red and irritated. While the common treatment for dry eye syndrome was to prescribe patients an over the counter eye drops formula which is used to replicate the body’s real tears. However, a small study may have found an alternative treatment to dry eye syndrome.

A small study that was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggested that those that suffer from dry eye syndrome could relieve the dryness by undergoing acupuncture. The study involved 36 patients who suffered from dry eye syndrome. Those 36 patients were given acupuncture treatments three times a week for a month. At the end of the month all patients showed a decrease in symptoms that are related to dry eye syndrome. There was also an increase in natural water secretion of the eyes.

While there is no indication that the acupuncture helped treat the dry eye syndrome this study has prompted many acupuncturists and those studying alternative medicine to look into the correlation between the two.

Acupuncture would be added to one of the many ways you can treat dry eye syndrome. There are also other natural alternative ways to treat dry eye syndrome. Health care providers suggest taking omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation of the eyes as well as staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks that require strain on the eyes. All of these treatments can help prevent dry eye syndrome from occurring.

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Types of Acupuncture Treatment

The traditional form of acupuncture uses a dozen needles that are placed in precise points throughout the body. It is believed that these needles help start the flow of the qi in the body and allows the body to fight against disease or pain. While the traditional form of acupuncture uses needles there are actually a half dozen different type of acupuncture treatments that can be done on a patient. Here is a look at the various types of acupuncture treatments that are available to acupuncture patients.

Moxibustion. Moxibustion is a form of acupuncture. It involves the acupuncturist taking the acupuncture needles and heating them up. The heating process is done with dried herb sticks that are used to heat the tips and points of the acupuncture needles. The needles are then placed at the various points in the patients body to help restore the flow of life energy of the patient.

Cupping. Cupping is derived from acupuncture. It does not involve the use of needles but it does use the qi and flow of energy. During a treatment that uses cupping small glass cups are placed on the body. These glass cups have a suction quality to them. It is believed that the suction quality will spark a qi that has become stagnant or to help circulate the blood. Cupping is commonly used for sports injuries.

Electrostimulation. Electrosimulation uses the same type of treatments as traditional acupuncture therapy does. However, when the acupuncture needles are placed on the various parts of the body there is an electrical current that is placed into the needles. It is believed that this electrical current can stimulate the flow of qi or life energy.

Laser Acupuncture. Laser acupuncture has been come increasing popular. It involves the same principles as traditional acupuncture but instead of using acupuncture needles there is a non-needle energy stimulation that works like a needle. This is ideal for those that are uncomfortable with the idea of placing needles into their body.

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Seek Asian Medicine in Canada

These days, Canada is a hub for Asian holistic and alternative medicine practices, as the Asian population in Canada is booming. In fact, Chinese Canadians – that is to say Canadian residents of Chinese descent – make up the second-biggest minority group in the country. With this large Asian population, comes the benefit of alternative medicine and the thousands of years of history behind alternative medicine practices. Therefore, those who seek good health and well-being no longer have to travel thousands of miles to receive the benefits of alternative medicine. Some of the most beneficial alternative medicine practices are the use of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and yoga, to name just a few.

Herbal medicines are concocted from plants or extracts from plants and are usually made from sources like roots, leaves, flowers, berries, and tree bark. These ingredients can be used to make tea, essential oils, ointments, and tablets to cure or prevent a broad spectrum of ailments.

Basically, acupuncture is a healing technique in which the acupuncturist inserts small needles into certain points on the body to aid better health and increase well-being. In the tradition of Chinese acupuncture, there is a belief that the body is made up of meridians through which qi (the life force of the body) flows to all parts of the body. Acupuncture practitioners place needles on specific locations along said meridians to help balance the qi flow.

Meanwhile, yoga is an age-old practice that began in India more than 5,000 years ago. “Yoga” comes from a Sanskrit root word that means “to unite.” Those who practice yoga aim to unite body, mind, and spirit through breathing, meditation, and exercise. Furthermore, yoga practitioners see yoga as a vehicle in which individual consciousness is united with universal or cosmic consciousness. Canada 411 is a great online resource to help you find the holistic and alternative medicine center that will best suit your needs.

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What Happens During Acupuncture Treatments

To the outsider acupuncture can appear a bit odd. There are hundreds of needles being placed into the body and it can often appear as if there is no rhyme or reason for the needles being placed where they are. However, that is not the case at all. If you are considering trying acupuncture as a form of alternative medical treatment then here is a look at what you can expect to happen during your acupuncture therapy treatments.

Before you have your initial acupuncture therapy treatment you will have a pre-treatment interview with the acupuncturist. This will allow you to go over with the acupuncturist any previous health conditions and concerns you might have. The acupuncturist will also do a complete exam and check your qi, or life energy as well as observe any physical signs of illness or disease you might have.

After the pre-treatment interview the next visit to the acupuncturist’s office will be for the actual treatment. During the actual treatment the acupuncturist will use somewhere between six and twelve needles. The needles will be placed at exact points throughout the body. These points have been determined to be where your body’s life energy is lacking and needs to be reawakened. There is a common misconception that the number of needles that are used during treatment equals how intense the treatment is. That is not the case. The placement of the needles determines the intensity of the treatment, not the needles.

Many people believe that acupuncture treatments are painful because they see the needles and assume there is pain involved. However, acupuncture treatments come with little to no pain at all. In fact, many people who undergo acupuncture therapy treatment describe the treatment procedures as relaxing and calming. While there might be an occasional sting or prick feeling when the needle is inserted, there should be no pain, numbness or discomfort when experiencing an acupuncture treatment. If there is any pain, numbness or discomfort you should notify your acupuncturists immediately or seek another acupuncturist.

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The Pre-Examination Visit to the Acupuncturist

A visit to the acupuncturist isn’t like a traditional visit to the doctor’s office. Due to the alternative medicine aspect of acupuncture you will likely experience a few things that seem out of the ordinary. Here is a look at what to expect when you head to an acupuncturist’s office and set up an appointment.

The first thing that will happen when you are heading to an acupuncture medical visit is that pre-screening visit. This is a visit with the acupuncturist where you will complete an extensive health history questionnaire. These questions can range from your daily habits to previous medical conditions. After you have completed the questionnaire the acupuncturist will come in to interview you directly. They will likely ask questions regarding your current state of health, lifestyle, sleeping cycle, diet, emotions and other concerns you may have. The acupuncturist will also examine you from head to toe. They will note your skin and eye color as well as other physical conditions you might be showing such as discolored tongue and hair color.

During the pre-examination stage the acupuncturist will examine three pressure points on each wrist. It is believed that these pressure points can tell the acupuncturist everything that they need to know about your median zones and where the flow of the qi might be off. The flow of qi, or life energy, is what acupuncture is based off of. It is believed that when the flow of qi is off it is what causes diseases and pain. In order to determine what course of acupuncture treatment you will benefit from an acupuncturist must determine where the qi is off and how to balance out the flow of the qi in your body.

After the pre-examination the acupuncturist will give you a diagnosis and go over treatment with you. Generally the treatment does not begin at the pre-examination visit. However, some acupuncturists might be able to perform the first procedure that day.

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What is Acupuncture?

Many people have heard about acupuncture as a form of alternative medicine. However, many people do not know exactly what acupuncture is or how it can help them. Here is a closer look at acupuncture which is a form of alternative medicine.

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that comes from the traditional Chinese medicine practice. It has been used as a form of medical treatment for over 5,000 years and started back in China. The core basics of acupuncture use the belief that all living beings and objects have an energy force known as qi. The qi revolves around the body and can be separated into twelve groups. These groups are associated with the different parts of the body and center around the main organs within ones body.

It is believed that disease begins when the qi of the body is off balance. Acupuncture takes this belief about disease and uses it to heal. The acupuncturist will insert into specific points of the body that are associated with the lines and main body organs. There are over 1000 different points within the body that can be used. Once the needles are inserted into the various points within the body, it is believed that the flow of energy or qi can be restored and the disease is prevented.

There are many beliefs about how and why acupuncture works. Some experts believe that acupuncture works by stimulating the body and causing it to release pain relieving endorphins that heal the pain. Other experts believe that there is an increase in neurotransmitters that send messages to the brain and cause it to release pain relieving endorphins. While there are many theories there is no concrete explanation for why acupuncture works.

Acupuncture has been used to relieve a number of different medical conditions. These conditions include migraines or headaches, sinustis, colds, addictions, tennis elbow, arthritis, cramps, fibromyalgia, lower back pain and asthma.

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Acupuncture and Labor

Labor and delivery can be one of the most exciting and scary times in a woman’s life.  To make the pain and discomfort more manageable, a majority of women use epidurals and other pharmacologic forms of pain relief. Other women look for other ways to control pain during delivery; acupuncture can work for some women in making the delivery experience more comfortable. In some cases, acupuncture –  when used at the end of pregnancy  — can also make the birth process go smoother.

Acupuncture has been shown to decrease pain levels in a variety of health conditions. It has been shown in some studies to improve pain tolerance during labor. Other practitioners feel that acupuncture in the final stages of pregnancy can prep the body for labor and delivery. Acupuncture may also help reposition a baby if it presents in a breech presentation. Women who receive acupuncture during labor also may use less pain medication and may note improved satisfaction with the labor process. Some practitioners feel that acupuncture also improves the strength and regularity of contractions; this may be beneficial if the labor process stalls.

It may be difficult to obtain acupuncture during labor – mainly because labor is typically an unpredictable event and most hospitals do not have acupuncturists on call to administer the therapy once labor begins. Most acupuncturists do not have hospital privileges either so if you plan to give birth in a hospital, acupuncture may not be a viable pain control option. If you give birth in a birthing center or at home, you may have better access to acupuncture during labor.

It also might not be a good idea to use acupuncture during labor if you have never tried acupuncture before; some people may have problems with the needles and may need time to get used to them. A stressful time like labor is not a good time to try the procedure out for the first time.

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Acupuncture and Its Role in Drug and Alcohol Detoxification

Acupuncture has been found to help remove toxins from the body and to modify the sensation of pain. Acupuncture has been used since the 1970s to treat drug and alcohol addiction for that reason. The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association is an important provider of acupuncture detoxification services and has members like physicians, counselors, social workers, and nurses worldwide. Many researchers find it difficult to understand how acupuncture works in relation with drug addiction but it is being used in many drug recovery programs.

Acupuncture is often a part of an integrated drug detoxification plan which has both beneficial psychologic and physiologic aspects. It is thought that acupuncture sessions can reduce a person’s cravings which may decrease the person’s desire for the addictive substance. Another benefit is the removal of toxins because of the diuretic effect of acupuncture.

However, one of the main roles of acupuncture in drug detoxification is the impact on pain sensation. Acupuncture treatments can increase the release of endorphins in the brain which can affect the perception of pain. One of the challenges in drug addiction recovery is the painful withdrawal symptoms which acupuncture may be able to reduce or relieve. The use of this therapy may also decrease the amount of powerful analgesics that may be needed to help the patient manage the pain associated with withdrawal.

The National Acupuncture Detoxification Association has a protocol with five specific points for the insertion of the needles which remain in place for up to one hour. The patient undergoes the treatment while sitting in a chair; usually a group of patients are treated at the same time. Acupuncture can be utilized by treatment counselors and centers in a variety of settings such as hospitals, outpatient centers or even street outreach programs.  As long as a licensed acupuncturist or medical doctor is supervising the procedures, many states have approved this protocol and allow it to be incorporated into drug recovery programs.

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Acupuncture May Have an Impact for People with Depression

Depression is a common ailment among people in the United States with up to 10% of the adult population developing the condition each year. Health care providers have a variety of prescription antidepressant medications available to treat this condition; other therapies for depression include psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. More people are becoming interested in alternative and complementary therapies like acupuncture and their potential impact on depression.

In Chinese medicine, a problem with energy flow is thought to lead to depression and the other physical symptoms associated with depression. The acupuncture sessions focus on recirculating and balancing the flow of energy throughout the body.  Once the energy is moving again, many of the symptoms of depression may go away according to Chinese medicine.

There have been multiple studies that have looked at the effect of acupuncture on depression.  These trials have not shown enough evidence to recommend acupuncture as a stand-alone treatment for depression. Some trials have suggested that acupuncture may be beneficial in combination with conventional medications. Further studies are needed to establish the appropriate role in treatment.

However, acupuncture has been shown to improve depression that occurs during pregnancy after about one month of treatments; an additional benefit is that acupuncture does not involve pharmaceuticals which may harm a developing fetus.  These women should still discuss the use of acupuncture during pregnancy with their obstetrician or primary physician.

If you suffer from depression, you should discuss the use of acupuncture with your physician – especially before you make any treatment changes. If you decide to incorporate acupuncture into your treatment regimen, you should look for an acupuncturist with experience and training in managing people with depression. You can also check the status of a practitioner through the state board or the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

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