Acupuncture

Encyclopedia of Medicine by Kathleen Dredge Wright

Acupuncture is a treatment in which special needles are inserted into points just under the skin to help correct and rebalance the flow of energy, which promotes pain relief and healing. Acupuncture is based on the belief that health is determined by maintaining a balanced flow of qi, (also referred to as chi), the vital life energy present in all living organisms. Qi circulates along 12 major energy pathways in the body, called meridians. Each is linked to specific organs and systems in the body. Within the meridian system there are over one thousand acupoints, which are specific anatomical locations on the skin that can be stimulated to control the flow of qi.

The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, for "needle", and puntura, "to puncture." This ancient Chinese therapy has been continuously refined over its 4,500 year history. Legend has it that acupuncture found its beginnings in the experience of an ancient soldier who, when struck by an arrow during battle, noted sensations of numbness far removed from the site of the wound.

Millions of people have used acupuncture for a variety of health conditions. The treatment is often used in conjunction with more conventional methods and has gained wide acceptance. American acupuncture incorporates a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment that use medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. Many scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness. The most studied mechanism is the stimulation of acupuncture points using needles, which are manipulated manually or with electrical stimulation. Other stimulation techniques including pressure, heat, lasers, and moxibustion (the burning of an herb at or near certain sites on the body), are also used, but have not been the subject of many research studies. The World Health Organization lists more than 40 conditions for which acupuncture may be indicated. These include prevention and treatment of nausea, pain relief, treatment of addictions to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, treatment of lung (pulmonary) problems such as asthma, and rehabilitation from damage to the nervous system such as that caused by a stroke.

Acupuncture has been used successfully in the treatment of pain following surgery, and in painful conditions of the muscles and skeleton. These include low back pain, tennis elbow (epicondylitis), and a chronic inflammation of a muscle (fibromyositis). Studies have shown that acupuncture stimulates the release of the body's natural pain-killing chemicals, called endorphins, which are very effective in blocking pain. In animals, transferring the fluid bathing the brain and spinal chord (cerebrospinal) from an animal receiving acupuncture to another animal who is not, produces pain relief (analgesia) in the recipient animal. In other controlled laboratory studies on people, acupuncture has been shown to be more effective than a placebo. In a number of pain-related conditions, acupuncture may be used along with other therapies. These include headache, menstrual cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

Several studies have demonstrated that nausea caused by pregnancy, surgical anesthesia, or chemotherapy treatment for cancer, is very responsive to acupuncture.

When acupuncture was used as part of a treatment program for substance abuse, recipients had reduced cravings and improved psychological conditions. Symptoms of withdrawal were less severe. In the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), acupuncture used with Chinese herbs has been helpful in improving the functioning of the patient's immune system, and has reduced the severity of digestive problems, fatigue, and other symptoms.

Acupuncturists also cite success in treating a range of health problems including both acute and chronic illnesses. Looking at the human body as a unity of body, mind, and spirit, it is thought that those with physical problems reflect problems on the emotional or spiritual levels as well. If underlying factors are not detected and treated, symptoms will persist and/or problems in other areas may develop.

Acupuncture treatment for sudden injuries, such as sprained ankles or other muscle, ligament, or tendon misalignments, is said to be most effective when treatment is received before "sleeping on it." Acupuncture is thought to restore the body to its original form or "memory" for these and chronic illnesses.

The procedure involves the insertion of fine needles, made of stainless steel, gold, or other metals, into specific points along the meridians of the body. The needles can be heated, attached to a mild electric current, or twirled continuously with the hand. Some needles are left in place for only a few minutes, while others remain for days. Pain during treatment should be minimal. There may be a slight pricking sensation when a needle is inserted but this does not last long. If there is some discomfort, it can be relieved by a slight change in the position of the needle.

The number of treatments and the points chosen for a treatment depend on the patient and the skills of the practitioner. Since Chinese medicine treats the whole patient, not just the condition, each treatment is individualized.