Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body with the aim of relieving pain and for therapeutic purposes.

According to traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, these acupuncture points lie along meridians along which qi (or vital energy) flows, and acupuncture helps to release and correct energy flows in the body, thus leading to improved health.  Acupuncture originated in China, and is one of the more widely accepted treatments in integrative medicine.

Acupuncture can be used to encourage healing, improve the mood or energy, relieve pain and improve the function of various areas of the body.   The National Institute of Health states that acupuncture is proven to treat pain, nausea and vomiting, but that how it works remains something of a mystery to conventional science.

Many well-designed studies have found that acupuncture can help with certain conditions, such as back pain, knee pain, headaches and osteoarthritis.

Similar related treatments include:

A 2007 review by Edzard Ernst and colleagues found that the "emerging clinical evidence seems to imply that acupuncture is effective for some but not all conditions". The WHO, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Medical Association (AMA) and various government reports have all studied and commented on the efficacy (or lack thereof) of acupuncture. There is general agreement that acupuncture is safe when administered by well-trained practitioners using sterile needles, and that further research is warranted.

How does Acupuncture work?

Acupuncture treatments have traditionally been associated with the Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy that the human body is composed of two opposing energy – the “yin” and the “yang”. When the body is healthy, these two forces or energy are in balance. The energy known as “qi” (or life force) flows like river in energy pathways through the human body, and these energy channels are called “meridians”. Each meridian is connected to a specified organ or groups of organs that govern specific functions within the body and emotions. The constant flow of energy through the meridians keeps the balance of the “yin” and the “yang”. If the flow of energy is blocked, the disruption of flow may result in illnesses or disturbances.  In acupuncture, it is believe that using thread-like needles and inserting them in certain key points in the human body will relieve blockages in the flow of energy. Such relief enables the body to heal and restore its balance.

In the West, Acupuncture treatment initially aroused curiosity and became popular because of its amazing effects for pain relief.  From the allopathic medical perspective, Acupuncture is explained through physics and physiology. From this point of view, Acupuncture works by stimulating the human central nervous system to release body chemicals which are known as neurotransmitters and hormones. Stimulating specific points will generate a change in the flow of energy. This then induces the release of certain chemicals and the related chemical reactions relieve pain and inflammation and stimulate the release of endorphins and serotonin (mood enhancing neurotransmissions), which helps relieve stress, anxiety and pain.

What Conditions is Acupuncture known to Help?

Acupuncture can benefit:

  • arthritis, 
  • asthma, 
  • migraines and headaches, 
  • menstrual disorders, 
  • intestinal disorders, 
  • addiction,
  • pain,
  • anxiety

and a plethora of other conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the above conditions and many more as being responsive to acupuncture treatment

Recent Acupuncture Articles

By ming wang
Naturelife health centre provides Acupuncture services. Acupuncturist and Registered Massage therapist(RMT). Female and male therapists.service Oakville, Mississauga ,Burlington,Milton. AAcupuncture ...

By Thalia Charney
... complimentary medicines can make a world of difference. I often use custom made herbal tinctures, acupuncture, meditation, dietary support and homeopathy to help balance the nervous system, support  ...

By Dr. Mee Lain Ling
In the article on Acupuncture – A Brief Introduction, we discussed the concept of invisible energy pathways, or meridians that run throughout the body in a closed circuit. Powerful energy is ...

By Christie Haskell
... leads to disability if not treated in a timely manner. The natural treatment of Arthritis with Acupuncture and oriental medicine fortunately provides some relaxation in what the disease might ...

By James Addison
... ones who have benefited and also the ones who are still enjoying its effects are those, undergone Acupuncture. Deep-seeded in the ancient Chinese medicine, this natural treatment methodology even ...

Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture

What is an Acupuncture Session Like?

During your first visit, the acupuncturist will generally ask for a medical history and about your general health and do a visual examination.  Depending on the reason for your visit (ie your complaint) or specific health conditions, the acupuncturist will asks about symptoms and about any other treatments you have received.

A physical examination will generally follow. The licensed acupuncturist will take pulse rate and other vital signs prior to beginning treatment. The needles used are sterilized and disposable (approved by the FDA) to avoid infection.

The acupuncture needles will then be inserted into specific point on your body, depending on your condition and symptoms.  Most people say that the acupuncture needles cause very little discomfort because they are thin and flexible.  The needles may then be stimulated; by being twisted gently, by heat or with low electrical frequencies.  Sessions generally last 20 minute to half an hour for the actual treatment, although you may need to allow up to an extra half hour or 45 minutes for the very first session with a particular acupuncturist.

The Acupuncture treatment can be painless. For some people, the sensation of the insertion of needle is minimal. People who have had acupuncture treatments report feeling different sensations like numbness, warmth & pressure but it is different from pain.  The procedure is so calm and relaxed that patients may fall asleep during acupuncture treatment.

How Long is a Normal Course of Treatment?

The number of sessions needed in acupuncture is dependent on the illness of the person, your individual response to treatment, and other factors like whether the condition is chronic or acute.  In relieving stress, for example, it can be recommended that the patient have one session per week for 5 or 8 treatments until the therapeutic effect is achieved. For treating neck pain or headaches, 10 sessions are common. Each session will take from 20 minutes up to an hour on average, depending again on the reason you are getting acupuncture treatments.

What Does Acupuncture Cost?

Fees for an acupuncture treatment vary depending on the location and practitioner but they will generally  range from $50 to $120 per session. Since the initial treatment is usually longer and includes the diagnostic processes, it will often costs more and then successive sessions will be less expensive.

Is Insurance Coverage Available for Acupuncture Treatment?

Some insurance companies cover acupuncture treatment and stipulate that the practitioner be NCCAOM certified. Many flexible health spending plans will also cover acupuncture and Oriental medicine treatment. You will likely need to speak with your insurance carrier to verify coverage and discuss your options.

How to Select an Acupuncturist

Training/Accreditation for Acupuncturists

Generally, to be able to perform acupuncture, the practitioner should be a “licensed acupuncturist”. This is often signified by certain initials after the person’s name:

  • OMD (Oriental Medical Doctor)
  • DOM (Doctor of Oriental Medicine)
  • L.Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist), or
  • MAOM (Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine). 

The legal practice of acupuncture varies from state to state in the USA. Most states require the practitioner to be a Master of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (MAOM) or have a degree that is equivalent and from an institution that is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. There are several states that also require Acupuncture practitioners to have documentation from NCCAOM.  Patients are encouraged to refer to the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) website since NCCAOM is responsible for administering examinations in Acupuncture and other techniques related to Oriental Medicine.

Practitioners who have passed the licensing process are certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and have the title "Dipl. Ac.” or "Diplomate of Acupuncture".  Their website also has a database of acupuncturists that can be searched.

Physicians who want to include Acupuncture in their practice can take a certifying examination with the American Board of Medical Acupuncture to demonstrate proof of their proficiency in the specialty of medical acupuncture. Physicians who pass the ABMA certifying examination are referred to as Diplomates of the American Board of Medical Acupuncture (DABMA) and are considered to be board certified in medical acupuncture

It is recommended that you inquire if the acupuncturist you are considering seeing is licensed in the state where they practice. In cases where the state does not require licensing, you may want to look for an acupuncturist who has been certified by NCCAOM. You can also ask the acupuncturist how many hours of training they have had.  A licensed acupuncturist is required to have more than 3000 hours of training (classroom hours and clinical internship).

History of Acupuncture

Based on archaeological evidence and oral tradition, Acupuncture treatment originated from China. There is no definitive date when acupuncture is known to have started and the history of it is inconclusive, but there are different stories about how Acupuncture was invented. One relates the story of a soldier who suffered from a stiff and painful shoulder for years (what we call now as frozen shoulder). During a battle, he got wounded in the legs by an arrow and the pain in his shoulder disappeared. The miraculous disappearance of pain through poking of arrow on patient’s legs eventually became known and over time, it developed into Acupuncture. It is believed that the time of the Han Dynasty is when Acupuncture stopped using stone needles and shifted to metal.

From China, the practice of Acupuncture eventually expanded to neighboring countries in Asia and eventually to North America and all over the world.  Though acupuncture in the present times is commonly associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are other forms of the Acupuncture such as Korean and Japanese acupuncture.

The first known publication containing the word Acupuncture written in 1683 by Willem ten Rhijne (1647-1700) a Dutch doctor and Botanist, who wrote a first hand account of Acupuncture with this name detailing his experiences and observations of Acupuncture as it was practiced in Japan.  There is some debate about who actually coined the word (some accounts credit Willem ten Rhijne, other accounts credit Jesuit priests with inventing the name) but it seems clear that it comes from the combination of two latin words; acus "needle" (see acuity) and puncture. 

From historical legends about using arrows and sharpened stones in performing Acupuncture, the methodology has evolved to using thin needles and inserting them into key points on the skin (associated with the meridians and chakras).

Acupuncture is almost the same as Acupressure. The basic difference between the two is that acupuncture therapy uses thin needles to get results while acupressure therapy uses light pressure.   Both treatments aim to restore balance and encourage energy to flow freely to resolve illnesses such as migraines, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and more. 

Questions and Comments about Acupuncture

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