How did acupuncture start?
The story was met with widespread disbelief.
During a visit to China in 1978, cardiologist Doctor Isadore Rosenfeld witnessed open-heart surgery on a patient, anaesthetised only with acupuncture. A major operation and the patient was awake! Nothing like it had ever been seen before in the west.
But acupuncture is over 5000 years old. There is evidence that it was practiced by the ancient Egyptians. South African tribesmen scratched their bodies to cure disease and the Eskimos used a simple form of acupuncture. In ancient China the Yellow Emperor's bible on internal medicine talks about the importance of acupuncture for curing disease and restoring health.
Today, in China and Taiwan there are over 232,000 traditional Chinese medical doctors practicing acupuncture. In America there are more than 8000 qualified acupuncturists, 16 acupuncture schools and 2 medical schools teaching acupuncture. As a treatment it's accepted and practiced worldwide.
What ailments can acupuncture treat?
Many people assume that acupuncture is used as a simple pain control technique. A technique where needles are inserted to interrupt the nerve pathways that send pain messages to the brain. But acupuncture is much more than this. It's designed to treat any malady and works to balance the energy of your entire body.
Based on clinical experience, it's known that acupuncture can treat a variety of respiratory, eye and mouth, gastro-intestinal, neurological and muscular disorders. It's especially effective on headaches, migraine and back pain.
Acupuncture is also used to stop smoking, lose weight, lower blood pressure, relive constipation, anxiety, insomnia, allergies, asthma and alleviate skin disorders.
How can it treat all these ailments? It works by 'unblocking' and balancing your energy 'circuits'. And unlike conventional drugs, there are only beneficial side-effects such as sleeping better, more energy, deeper breathing and many other bonuses.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture means 'to puncture with a needle'. Fine, flexible needles, about the diameter of a human hair, are inserted into points along the principal meridians of your body.
Your body has a network of energy channels or 'meridians' in which your 'ki' flows. Each meridian is associated with a physiological system and internal organ.
There are 12 principal meridians that run the length of your body and each one has more than 350 acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are specific locations along the meridians. Inserting a needle into a point will 'unblock' or stimulate the energy flow through the meridian in a very predictable and measured way.
What happens during a treatment session?
Acupucture is all part of the philosophy and practice of TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine, which uses an intricate system of pulse and tongue diagnosis.
A qualified acupuncturist will also check the 'palpation' of the acupuncture points or meridians, your medical history and any other signs or symptoms of disorder.
The treatment is painless and insertion of the needles can feel like an insect bite or tiny prick. If you are sensitive you will feel warmth or energy flow and is often described as a 'buzz'.
Sometimes moxibustion is used to increase the heat effect at the insertion point. A Chinese herb, 'Moxa', is placed on the needle and lit. This can stimulate the blood flow as well as the 'chi'.
Is acupuncture safe?
Nobody can predict the changes that will occur. Your body will do what it needs to do to heal itself. But the healing process starts with skilful diagnosis and the correct stimulation of precise acupuncture points.
Acupuncture will often compliment traditional western medicine, and in the hands of a trained and properly qualified acupuncturist, you are perfectly safe. And for many people it is enjoyable too.
Although the Chinese may have enjoyed the benefits of acupuncture for many centuries, the legacy of discoveries by men such as Dr Isadore Rosenfeld means we can all benefit from this wonderful treatment.
Terry Dunn writes regular articles on how to use alternative therapies to improve your health. From aromatherapy to yoga, discover what it's like, how it works and how you can benefit. To read more articles, visit his website, http://www.holistichealthtalk.com
Chemical reactions move pain signals along a pathway from your... Read More
For hundreds of years, we've known that 'Laughter is the... Read More
One of the least known and least practiced aspects of... Read More
In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted... Read More
There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want... Read More
About 7 years ago, I decided that my budget could... Read More
There are many kinds of eczema, and too few people... Read More
It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins... Read More
I posted a story the other day on one of... Read More
Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in... Read More
In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has skyrocketed... Read More
You purchase a beautiful area rug. You know just where... Read More
I have always been amazed at the clinical results that... Read More
Effective January 1, 2005, California law requires all mattresses contain... Read More
Through the simple process of touch, Reflexology is so effective... Read More
Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with... Read More
Overwhelmed by studies, research and the constantly changing diet, nutrition... Read More
At the end of 2004 results from a study on... Read More
Everyone with a medical condition or allergy should have a... Read More
Those who are plagued by allergies are always struggling to... Read More
In building a strategy for pain relief it may be... Read More
The musculoskeletal, immune and endocrine systems can all be potent... Read More
What is aromatherapy? Used for centuries, aromatherapy is known to... Read More
In "Evidence for the Sixth Sense", Hazel Courteney interviews an... Read More
Since the dawn of civilization, man has always turned to... Read More
Cayenne is a constipation home remedy that is effective in... Read More
HERBAL PRODUCTS are comprised of herbal care remedies, such as... Read More
With the growing number of people being affected by newly... Read More
Alternative Therapies and alternative medicine has been gaining ground along... Read More
Nowadays is the era of everything that is herbal and... Read More
What Massage Therapists Do!Have you ever thought what massage therapists... Read More
Raindrop Technique is a procedure for applying therapeutic grade essential... Read More
AS BIRD flu, or Avian Influenza, raged through Asia, countries... Read More
At the end of 2004 results from a study on... Read More
We've all heard of massage and many of us have... Read More
It is obvious that each of our bodies is unique... Read More
Does this sound familiar to you? My dentist and hygienist... Read More
Can Color Therapy Be Used With Other Healing Techniques?Yes, color... Read More
Hypnosis is very useful in the treatment of fears and... Read More
Known by its other name as Lily of the Valley... Read More
Your subconscious has influence over 7 different factors that could... Read More
Depression and mood disorders are very prevalent mental health issues... Read More
Suffering from neck, back and shoulder pain? If you are,... Read More
Some people say that prevention is better than cure. That... Read More
Eucalyptus pure essential oil is obtained from the leaves and... Read More
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those... Read More
Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living... Read More
We can all learn something new every day! And good... Read More
Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted... Read More
Frank's 85 year-old father was in advanced stages of Parkinson's.Confined... Read More
Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have... Read More
If you have never used plant matter in magic before,... Read More
The Chevreul pendulum is a simple device for communicating with... Read More
Keeping in tune with our commitment to providing the latest,... Read More
BATH: Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a... Read More
Here we will have a brief look at ten essential... Read More
Aura and space clearing can be accomplished in a number... Read More
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental and emotional condition that... Read More
Cranberry Juice is very rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients which... Read More
Visualization statements represent the specific language that your subconscious wants... Read More
Many doctors and others in the health field may tell... Read More
Your body should clean itself naturally, but today's diets make... Read More
Remedies for Asthma or AllergiesA lot people have asthma. My... Read More
Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous... Read More
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These are... Read More
Places Suitable for Use of Aromatherapy Products: living room, bedroom,... Read More
Alternative Medicine |