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questions answered by the doctor, along with additional education that may
be helpful to you. |
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For patients who has allergies, who requires pain management, who may
need surgical prevention/recovery, who seeks disease prevention and health
maintenance, and who suffers infertility or gynecological dysfunctions.
Acupuncture therapy usually involves a series of weekly or biweekly
treatments in an outpatient setting. It's common to have up to 12
treatments in total. Although each acupuncture practitioner has his or her
own unique style, each visit typically includes an exam and an assessment
of your current condition, the insertion of needles, and a discussion
about self-care tips. An acupuncture visit generally lasts 30 to 60
minutes.
During acupuncture treatment, the practitioner uses sterilized,
individually wrapped stainless steel needles that are used only once and
then thrown away. You may feel a brief, sharp sensation when the needle is
inserted, but generally the procedure isn't painful. It's common to feel a
deep aching sensation when the needle reaches the correct spot. After
placement, the needles are sometimes moved gently or stimulated with
electricity or heat.
The traditional Chinese theory behind acupuncture as medical treatment
is very different from that of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese
medicine, imbalances in the basic energetic flow of life — known as qi or
chi (chee) — are thought to cause illness. Qi is believed to flow through
pathways (meridians) in your body. These meridians and the energy flow are
accessible through approximately 400 different acupuncture points. By
inserting extremely fine needles into these points in various
combinations, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will
rebalance. This will allow your body's natural healing mechanisms to take
over.
In contrast, the Western explanation of acupuncture incorporates modern
concepts of neuroscience. According to the National Institutes of Health,
researchers are studying at least three possible explanations for how
acupuncture works:
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Opioid release. During acupuncture, endorphins that
are part of your body's natural pain-control system may be released into
your central nervous system — your brain and spinal cord. This reduces
pain much like taking a pain medication.
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Spinal cord stimulation. Acupuncture may stimulate
the nerves in your spinal cord to release pain-suppressing
neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the "gate theory."
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Blood flow changes. Acupuncture needles may
increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needle. The
increased blood flow may supply additional nutrients or remove toxic
substances, or both, promoting healing |
During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length
about your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. The practitioner
will want to obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and
behaviors that may contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist
about all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical
conditions you have.
How widely is acupuncture used in the United States ... ?
In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the
United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on
Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated
that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians,
dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or
prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to
the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most
comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use
by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had ever
used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used
acupuncture in the previous year.
Key Points ... ?
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Acupuncture originated in China more than 2,000 years ago, making it
one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the
world. |
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It is important to inform all of your health care providers about
any treatment that you are using or considering, including acupuncture.
Ask about the treatment procedures that will be used and their
likelihood of success for your condition or disease.
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Be an informed consumer and find out what scientific studies have
been done on the effectiveness of acupuncture for your health condition. |
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If you decide to use acupuncture, choose the practitioner with care.
Also check with your insurer to see if the services will be covered. |
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