Acupuncture for Everybody

Acupuncture which originated in China over 2500 years ago making it one of the oldest and the most common medical procedure worldwide, is derived from the Latin words ‘acus’ and ‘pungere’ meaning needle holes. Since then, it has been an important part of Oriental medicine or also known as traditional Chinese Medicine. The scientific name of acupuncture is paradigm. It is basically a safe technique wherein trained practitioner inserts fine sterile needles as thin as human hair and manipulates acupuncture points or acupoints in the body that lie along organized pathways called meridians to improved stimulation. There has been a lot of misconceptions that it is painful due to the misleading _ acupuncture done on television, which uses needles as big as injection needles when actually, acupuncture needles are difficult to see with your eyes alone. Although people experience acupuncture variedly, it is mostly painless or if ever pain if felt, it is minimally experienced maybe due to some factors like movement of the patient or improper needle placement.

The primary purpose of acupuncture is to normalize blood flow and balance the yin and yang in the body. There are hundreds of body acupoints which can normally be obtained by a measurement unit called the Cun. The Cun or also called the Chinese inch is standardized as per the proportional distances from different landmark points. It is calculated for each individual based on measurements taken by the width of the clients thumb or index finger. There are several ways to locate the approximately 400 acupoints on the body. One is the Palpation method. It is done by feeling for a slight difference in body temperature on the skin surface.

The most commonly used distinctive mechanisms are Electromagnetic signals and Opioid systems activation. Electromagnetic signal decrease pain by increasing the release of chemicals called endorphins to block the message of pain from being delivered up to the brain while Opioid system activation works by releasing opioids in the central nervous system to reduce pain.

Since acupuncture is widely practiced in the United States, acupuncturists believe that it restores health by removing energy imbalances and blockages in the body by regulating the flow of ‘vital energy’, known as ‘Qi’. The effects of acupuncture are intricate. Some people find it very relaxing and energizing. One most positive side effect of acupuncture is that an illness can get remedy while treating for another ailment. It is generally used to treat pain and promote overall health. Because it is very effective in relieving common ailments it is now used as an alternative healing method. There have been a lot of studies conducted on the potential use in adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative to the following situations: low back pain, headache, asthma, migraine, menstrual cramps, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, stomach ulcers, osteoarthritis and addictions such as smoking and substance abuse. Side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and untrained acupuncturist. Possible risks, although very rare include bruising, bleeding and nerve damage.

Fertility Issues

Did you know that undertaking sessions of acupuncture just like other fertility treatments could increase your chance to conceive naturally? It is done by inserting needles in the legs, stomach and to other parts of the body because it is believed that it can increase blood flow to the reproductive organs as well as balance your hormone levels. Research has proven that this treatment can produce positive effects in the conception process. Both men and women can benefit from this treatment.

Weight loss issues

After all the diets, you have made to lose weight but still of little improvement, why not try acupuncture if you’re looking for other alternatives? Acupuncture for weight loss first started when CNN reported successful weight loss clinics due to acupuncture in China in the year 2003. It is believed by the Chinese medicinal theory that obese people have an imbalanced digestive system. Acupuncture helps lose weight by intensifying the digestive system by controlling your appetite and as a result weight loss is attained. Other theories advocate that acupuncture improves metabolism by burning calories at a speedy rate.

Acupuncture specialists have identified acupuncture points associated with weight loss. Some are:

Mouth – for the impetuous eater, smokers and for persons who talk a lot.
Lung – for food addicts and sweet lovers.
Stomach – for persons who binge eating even after they’re jam-packed or for people who love to chew.
Endocrine – for water retention that is closely accountable for some of the weight gain.
Thyroid – for sluggish metabolism.
Adrenal and Ovary – for weight gain due to menopause
Spleen – for sugar imbalances and hormonal inconsistency
Kidney – for nervous system and hormone irregularity.

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