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Acupuncture Techniques And Relief
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Published: October 20, 2006
Although its exact date of origin remains buried as an artifact of ancient Chinese history, most accept that acupuncture has been used as a form of treatment for more than two millennia, thus entrenching it among the oldest medical procedures in the world.
Only given the name acupuncture in the 17th century by a Dutch physician named Willem Ten Rhyne, the idea of therapeutically poking needles into the human body historically found its most devoted followers within traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture did not catch on in the Western world until 1972. When New York Times correspondent James Reston went to China to cover President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking trip to the People's Republic, Reston had an emergency appendectomy and received acupuncture as an anesthetic for relief. Reporting on his experience, Reston captured the interest of the American medical community. From this point on, acupuncture became a growing phenomenon.
Today's Western medical acupuncture differs slightly from its traditional Chinese ancestor. Firm knowledge of anatomy, physiology and other tools of modern science have replaced the more theoretical Chinese version. Modern acupuncture is classified as an alternative medicine – a form of medicine which replaces more conventional painkilling methods.
Acupuncture consists inserting of a series of thin needles into the body. When inserted, the needles are manipulated by either a set of hands or electrical stimulation. Due to the dangers of improper needle placement, faulty needles or movement from the patient can cause pain during treatment, it is essential only to receive acupuncture from a trained medical professional. It is wise to think twice before letting just anyone poke you with needles.
Classical acupuncture generally is believed to function under the following premises: channels of energy called meridians flow through the body, connecting and nourishing tissues. When this flow gets interrupted, some impediment develops within the body. Inserting acupuncture needles restores the normal flow of the meridians at the point of disruption, providing relief and helping the body's internal organs correct whatever imbalance may have developed.
As modern science explains, acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals throughout the body. If these chemicals do not medicate the imbalance themselves, then they will cause the release of other chemicals or hormones capable of stimulating the body's internal regulating system to provide relief. Thus, acupuncture is a way of relief encouraging the body's natural healing techniques.
The scope of acupuncture in the United States has expanded since the time of James Reston; indeed, it is more than just a pain killer. Today, three capacities of alternative health care consider acupuncture to be a viable option: promotion of health and well-being, illness prevention and treatment of existing medical conditions.
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as having the power to treat and relieve digestive disorders (spastic colon or diarrhea), respiratory disorders (bronchitis, asthma and chest infections), neurological and muscular disorders (headaches, tennis elbow and tendonitis) and urinary, menstrual or reproductive problems.
Sources:
Lewith, George T., M.A., M.R.C.G.P., M.R.C.P. The History of Acupuncture in China. Health World Online. 16 October 2006. <http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1819 .>
Get the Facts: Acupuncture. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. 16 October 2006. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/.>< br />Get the Facts: What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. 16 October 2006. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/.>
Doctor, what's this Acupuncture all About? American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. 16 October 2006.
<http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/acu_info/a rticles/aboutacupuncture.html.>
The Fine Points of Acupuncture. Health Pages: The Voice of the Health Consumer. 16 October 2006. < http://www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-acupn.ht ml.>
Only given the name acupuncture in the 17th century by a Dutch physician named Willem Ten Rhyne, the idea of therapeutically poking needles into the human body historically found its most devoted followers within traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture did not catch on in the Western world until 1972. When New York Times correspondent James Reston went to China to cover President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking trip to the People's Republic, Reston had an emergency appendectomy and received acupuncture as an anesthetic for relief. Reporting on his experience, Reston captured the interest of the American medical community. From this point on, acupuncture became a growing phenomenon.
Today's Western medical acupuncture differs slightly from its traditional Chinese ancestor. Firm knowledge of anatomy, physiology and other tools of modern science have replaced the more theoretical Chinese version. Modern acupuncture is classified as an alternative medicine – a form of medicine which replaces more conventional painkilling methods.
Acupuncture consists inserting of a series of thin needles into the body. When inserted, the needles are manipulated by either a set of hands or electrical stimulation. Due to the dangers of improper needle placement, faulty needles or movement from the patient can cause pain during treatment, it is essential only to receive acupuncture from a trained medical professional. It is wise to think twice before letting just anyone poke you with needles.
Classical acupuncture generally is believed to function under the following premises: channels of energy called meridians flow through the body, connecting and nourishing tissues. When this flow gets interrupted, some impediment develops within the body. Inserting acupuncture needles restores the normal flow of the meridians at the point of disruption, providing relief and helping the body's internal organs correct whatever imbalance may have developed.
As modern science explains, acupuncture points stimulate the nervous system to release chemicals throughout the body. If these chemicals do not medicate the imbalance themselves, then they will cause the release of other chemicals or hormones capable of stimulating the body's internal regulating system to provide relief. Thus, acupuncture is a way of relief encouraging the body's natural healing techniques.
The scope of acupuncture in the United States has expanded since the time of James Reston; indeed, it is more than just a pain killer. Today, three capacities of alternative health care consider acupuncture to be a viable option: promotion of health and well-being, illness prevention and treatment of existing medical conditions.
The World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture as having the power to treat and relieve digestive disorders (spastic colon or diarrhea), respiratory disorders (bronchitis, asthma and chest infections), neurological and muscular disorders (headaches, tennis elbow and tendonitis) and urinary, menstrual or reproductive problems.
Sources:
Lewith, George T., M.A., M.R.C.G.P., M.R.C.P. The History of Acupuncture in China. Health World Online. 16 October 2006. <http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1819 .>
Get the Facts: Acupuncture. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. 16 October 2006. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/.>< br />Get the Facts: What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Institutes of Health. 16 October 2006. <http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/.>
Doctor, what's this Acupuncture all About? American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. 16 October 2006.
<http://www.medicalacupuncture.org/acu_info/a rticles/aboutacupuncture.html.>
The Fine Points of Acupuncture. Health Pages: The Voice of the Health Consumer. 16 October 2006. < http://www.thehealthpages.com/articles/ar-acupn.ht ml.>
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