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Medical Acupuncture Guide

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting thin needles in various parts of the body to relieve pain. It is also used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. The practice of acupuncture therapy originated over 2,000 years ago in China. Traditional needles were made of bone, stone, or metal.

The theory behind acupuncture is that the body has an energy force flowing through it called qi. Qi is believed to contain all the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of life. If the flow of qi becomes interrupted or unbalanced, illness may occur. Qi travels through meridians. An acupuncturist is said to restore balance by unblocking qi.

Sessions usually involve weekly or biweekly visits that last about thirty minutes. The patient lies down face down or face up. The acupuncture specialist should use single use disposable needles. Insertion of the needles is usually not painful. Needles may be moved gently or stimulated with heat or electricity. Several needles are used for each session and may be left in place for up to twenty minutes. Treating a particular condition may take a dozen or more sessions.

In China and other Eastern countries, acupuncture is widely used. In America, it is considered a form of alternative medicine. Although the practice is thousands of years old, it only became popular in America in the 1970s. It is typically used in America for pain relief, particularly for post-operative dental pain. It has been found to be useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. It may also help improve pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization. There is evidence that acupuncture provides therapeutic benefits for menstrual cramps, migraines, stroke rehabilitation, and osteoarthritis. Chiropractic and acupuncture are often practiced together to treat ailments like sciatica.

Acupuncture certification is usually obtained by studying at a school of Oriental medicine. Certification usually takes three to four years and is obtained by taking an exam through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To be certified as a chiropractor and an acupuncturist, a practitioner must qualify for each certification separately.

Acupuncture has both benefits and risks. It is usually safe and has few side effects. There is a slight risk of a needle breaking, or there could be internal damage if needles are not inserted properly. There is a risk of disease if needles are reused.

Animals have similar meridians to humans, and imbalance of qi can also cause illness in animals. Arthritic disorders and muscle injuries in animals can be treated with acupuncture.

Resources

• Acupuncture overview
• What is acupuncture?
• History of acupuncture
• How acupuncture works
• Mayo Clinic
• The Acupuncture Alternative
• American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
• Alternative Medicine Therapies
• Alternative Medicine Foundation
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Become an acupuncturist

• Acupuncture schools and training programs
• Find acupuncture schools
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
• Training for physicians

Veterinary acupuncture

• International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
• American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture

Today acupuncture continues to be used in China to treat many diseases. It is used in the United States to control pain and certain symptoms, such as severe nausea that can be a side effect of chemotherapy. There are more than 11,000 acupuncturists in the United States, and over 3,000 doctors practice acupuncture.

Resource Article

Medical Acupuncture Guide

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting thin needles in various parts of the body to relieve pain. It is also used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. The practice of acupuncture therapy originated over 2,000 years ago in China. Traditional needles were made of bone, stone, or metal.

The theory behind acupuncture is that the body has an energy force flowing through it called qi. Qi is believed to contain all the spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects of life. If the flow of qi becomes interrupted or unbalanced, illness may occur. Qi travels through meridians. An acupuncturist is said to restore balance by unblocking qi.

Sessions usually involve weekly or biweekly visits that last about thirty minutes. The patient lies down face down or face up. The acupuncture specialist should use single use disposable needles. Insertion of the needles is usually not painful. Needles may be moved gently or stimulated with heat or electricity. Several needles are used for each session and may be left in place for up to twenty minutes. Treating a particular condition may take a dozen or more sessions.

In China and other Eastern countries, acupuncture is widely used. In America, it is considered a form of alternative medicine. Although the practice is thousands of years old, it only became popular in America in the 1970s. It is typically used in America for pain relief, particularly for post-operative dental pain. It has been found to be useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder. It may also help improve pregnancy rates following in vitro fertilization. There is evidence that acupuncture provides therapeutic benefits for menstrual cramps, migraines, stroke rehabilitation, and osteoarthritis. Chiropractic and acupuncture are often practiced together to treat ailments like sciatica.

Acupuncture certification is usually obtained by studying at a school of Oriental medicine. Certification usually takes three to four years and is obtained by taking an exam through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To be certified as a chiropractor and an acupuncturist, a practitioner must qualify for each certification separately.

Acupuncture has both benefits and risks. It is usually safe and has few side effects. There is a slight risk of a needle breaking, or there could be internal damage if needles are not inserted properly. There is a risk of disease if needles are reused.

Animals have similar meridians to humans, and imbalance of qi can also cause illness in animals. Arthritic disorders and muscle injuries in animals can be treated with acupuncture.

Resources

• Acupuncture overview
• What is acupuncture?
• History of acupuncture
• How acupuncture works
• Mayo Clinic
• The Acupuncture Alternative
• American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
• Alternative Medicine Therapies
• Alternative Medicine Foundation
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Become an acupuncturist

• Acupuncture schools and training programs
• Find acupuncture schools
• National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
• Training for physicians

Veterinary acupuncture

• International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
• American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture

Today acupuncture continues to be used in China to treat many diseases. It is used in the United States to control pain and certain symptoms, such as severe nausea that can be a side effect of chemotherapy. There are more than 11,000 acupuncturists in the United States, and over 3,000 doctors practice acupuncture.