An Introduction to Acupuncture

Given the expense and failings of Western medicine, many are looking to alternative health care. Acupuncture represents one such field and is particularly favored in the area of pain management. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Acupuncture is often referred to as the ancient practice. So, just how ancient are we talking? It originated roughly 2,000 years ago in China. Put another way, it has been around for roughly ten times the United States.

Despite this extensive history, acupuncture has only recently seen the light of day with the medical establishment in the West. After years of people returning from Asia and raving about it, the FDA issued regulations in the 1990s.

Importantly, acupuncture does not try to treat the symptoms of a disease. Instead, it focuses on the cause. This is thought to be an imbalance in the energy of the body, the qi. By bringing the body back into balance, acupuncture relieves the cause of the symptoms.

So, how does one treat the energy imbalance in your body? The answer is to manipulate it at key points known as meridians. The manipulation is done through the placement of fine needles in the skin and then manipulating them accordingly.

More than a few people are wary of needles. This is understandable, but you should have little concern about acupuncture needles. They are hair thin and do not hurt. Even the prickliest of persons will barely feel anything at all, and not pain.

Where needles are involved, there needs to be a discussion of safety. Needles can transfer all types of nasty things. Not in acupuncture. All acupuncture needles are sterile. They come in one use packaging. After their use, they are thrown out.

Now that we have the basics of acupuncture, there is still one big question. Does it work? Well, it has been around for 2,000 years! That being said, it is better for certain health issues than others. Let's take a look.

If you have pain management issues, you are going to mark down the day you first undergo acupuncture as a special one. Acupuncture is extremely beneficial when it comes to most pain. You can often jettison most or all of your pain medication after a month.

In addition to pain management, acupuncture has been shown to be helpful in other areas. These areas include, but are not limited to, treatment of addiction, headaches, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting to mention a few.

If you have tried Western medicinal approaches without achieving the results you want, it makes sense to look around for other options. Acupuncture has been around for 2,000 years, which means it produces results. Give it a try.

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