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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A Warning For Parents Who Combine Alternative and Conventional Medicine to Treat Asthma

When it comes to treating asthma in their children, parents are starting to turn to alternative medicine at alarming rates. In a recent study of over 2,000 families with children who have asthma it showed that over 15% of the families used some type of alternative treatment for asthma. Of those 15%, 5% of those people also used conventional medicine along with the alternative medicine treatments for asthma. These results have raised some concerns in the medical community.

A number of recent research studies have shown that those that use alternative medicine to treat asthma may be preventing themselves from being able to use conventional medicine. Many alternative medicine treatments such as supplements and herbal remedies actually can cause a medical reaction within the body. This reaction will cause the conventional medicine to not work or could provide harmful side effects.

Not only was there a risk for harmful drug interactions the study also showed that those who combined conventional treatments like inhalers with herbal or supplement treatments were twice as likely to not have control over their asthma as they grew older. It is believed that the combination of the two treatments could cause some instability in the body that causes the child to have no control over their asthma.

With these findings it has caused many conventional and alternative medical practitioners to warn parents about the potential side effects of using alternative medicine and conventional medicine to treat asthma. Many alternative medical practitioners are recommending that parents who wish to treat asthma through an alternative medical approach, try alternative forms that are less dangerous such as acupuncture or chiropractic procedures. These procedures when done correctly posed less of a risk to children with asthma than supplements and herbal medicine. These treatments also allowed the child to obtain some type of control over their asthma symptoms.

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How to Check That Your Supplements are Safe

Many people use supplements as a way to add to their daily health routine. Supplements can help a person receive the proper amount of vitamins and nutrients that they are not receiving naturally. Supplements can also help boost immune systems and help prevent diseases and illnesses. However, not all supplements out there are safe. Since there is no regulatory body that oversees supplements almost anyone can sell a pill and claim it can help you prevent certain illnesses. This is why it is important to make sure that the supplements you are taking are safe to consume. Here is a look at some factors you should consider before taking a supplement.

Research. It is important that you do your own research when it comes to supplements. Just because the manufacturer claims the supplement will cure all does not make it true. Try to look for alternative medicine or conventional medical journals where experts in the field study the results of the supplement.

Certified Products. While there is no regulatory body for supplements there are certain companies that will certify specific supplements to make sure that they fit certain quality standards. Try to find products that contain a certification mark from the United States Pharmacopei, NSF International or United States Products Alliance. Any product that contains these certifications have a specific quality and are safe to consume.

Check Drug Interactions. Many supplements can interact with prescription drugs that you are taking. If you are going to take a supplement make sure that you check if it will interact with your prescription drugs before taking it. While some interactions can be harmless, other interactions can be serious and result in loss of consciousness. Your doctor or alternative medicine provider can help you determine if the supplements you are taking can interact with your prescription drugs.

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A Look at the Statistics of Alternative Medicine

Recently a survey was conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, The Center for Disease Control and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This survey included adults who were 18 years of age or older. Within the survey they asked about how often these people engaged in alternative medical practices, what practices they engaged in and other questions regarding alternative medicine.

Here is a look at some of the results that the survey showed.

Of the large amount of participants in the survey over 75% of the survey takers have used some form of complementary or alternative medicine in their lifetime. Of the 75% of those people 63% used the alternative form within the past year.

When survey takers were instructed to leave out prayer as a form of alternative medicine the numbers fell dramatically. The figures fell from 75% to 50% used it in their lifetime, with 36% having used a form within the past year.

46% of the survey takers believed that prayer was a form of alternative medicine and engaged in it regularly to help heal their physical pain.

Of the survey takers 55% of the survey takers used alternative medicine with conventional medicine that was prescribed by a health care provider.

Only 15% of the survey takers went to a licensed health care provider for their alternative medicine needs. This is a significant number because it shows that many people who use alternative medicine will do so on their own and not through the care of a trained professional.

All of the survey takers believed that they used alternative medicine to deal with some type of physical pain that was reoccurring.

The most common form of alternative medicine in the United States included prayer, herbalism, breathing meditation, yoga, meditations, chiropractors and acupuncture.

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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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Risks of Acupuncture: Be Informed

With proper technique and when performed by a licensed technician, acupuncture is a very safe procedure for most people. Acupuncture needles are regulated by the FDA and complications are also reported to this agency. Few complications have been reported to the agency – especially given the large number of people who receive acupuncture each year in the United States.  However, the procedure can cause some side effects.

Less serious side effects include bruising, bleeding, or soreness at the needle insertion sites. You may also feel dizzy after the procedure. These events do not require medical attention and typically resolve within one day.

The more serious side effects like injury to internal organs or infection are very rare. Injury to underlying tissues may result from incorrect application of the needles; transmission with infectious diseases like hepatitis can occur if the needles are reused. You should make sure that the acupuncturist is following appropriate protocol before undergoing services to protect your health.

Although most people have no problems undergoing acupuncture therapy, there are people with certain health conditions who should undergo the procedure with caution.

People with bleeding disorders: Since one of the risks of acupuncture is bleeding, people who are at higher risk for bleeding may find themselves bleeding more. Bleeding disorders do not mean that a person cannot have acupuncture but he or she should be aware of the issues. People who take blood thinners like warfarin are in this category as well.

People with pacemakers:  Using electroacupuncture can cause problems in these patients because the electrical current may interfere with the function of the pacemaker.

Women who are pregnant: Pregnancy is not a contraindication to acupuncture but the therapy can be used to manage the symptoms associated with the condition. Care, however, should be taken to avoid the types of acupuncture that might stimulate labor early; pregnant women should use acupuncturists who are experienced in treating pregnant women.

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Acupuncture: The Seven Inquiries

Drops of sweat
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It seems the most mortifying of questions – a body is examined, prodded with needles and concerns. The unspeakable functions (deemed impolite within society, meant to be shaped to secrets) are demanded. They must be offered honestly, without shame or silence. No blush is to force them into deceptions; they are instead to be without pause or hesitation. The cycles of blood and perspiration, dreams and fevers are all understood. And this was thought to be an impossibility. Acupuncture is not a traditional form of medicine, after all. There was no expectation of histories or current pains. And, without the seclusion of a doctor’s office, such pains seem too lewd to detail.

They are, however, necessary.

The all too frequent misconception with acupuncture is that it is not a true division of healing. It is instead too often deemed a simple stress relief. This is not true. It intends to assuage the worries found within an individual – and must ask essential questions to do so.

These questions are known as the Seven Inquiries. Simply explained, these are the most common concerns patients may have, reflecting changes within their bodies. These must be defined to offer a better understanding of meridians and the proper points to seek.

The Seven Inquiries wish to know elements of:

1. Current eating habits.
2. Bowel movements and the regularity of them.
3. Menstrual cycles.
4. Pain.
5. The amount of perspiration.
6. Sleep schedule.
7. Fevers or hot flashes.

By learning of these problems, an practitioner of acupuncture can then devise the best treatment for an individual. And this is vital in receiving the full value of this procedure. While the questions may embarrass, they will also offer insight into specific complications. Solving those complications requires knowing first where to look.

Acupuncture is a form of healing. Expect therefore the inquiries that a doctor would give – and answer accordingly.

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