Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It is acclaimed to be one of the oldest forms of healing throughout the entire world. What lies underneath acupuncture is the belief that a disruption in the flow of imbalances and qi within the forces of both yin and yang cause diseases to occur. A combination of herbs, meditation, massage and acupuncture are believed to restore the balance of yin-hang and the flow of qi and this aids the healing process. Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points in the body to remove blockages in the flow of qi and therefore restore and maintain health. In the United States, acupuncture is an area of alternative medicine, which is not accepted as part of conventional medicine.
Because acupuncture is not always accepted as being part of traditional medicine, there are several points that we should consider about this treatment:
Chinese and other Asian people have used acupuncture for thousands of years.
Scientists are currently studying the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating many conditions.
Very few complications arise as a result of using acupuncture, although there can be serious side effects if the treatment is not performed by a person who is qualified to perform it.
Although acupuncture has existed in China and other Asian countries for several years, it has only been used in the United States since 1971. Since it was introduced, many people have chosen to use it for a multitude of conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain and migraines. Many people do not like the thought of needles being injected into them, but most are extremely happy with the benefits achieved from using acupuncture. Many people try acupuncture after all traditional medical procedures have failed to help them.
There is no need to fear acupuncture as long as you visit a practitioner that is suitably qualified. Complications are usually only caused when a practitioner does not follow proper safety procedures or they are not fully qualified. In the United States, the FDA regulates the use of the needles, and can also include a requirement for one time use. I would not visit a medical doctor who was not qualified to care for me, and everyone should take the same precaution when choosing their acupuncture practitioner.
By obtaining all necessary information about acupuncture and being careful to choose a practitioner that is suitably qualified, you will gain a better understanding and will be able to make a decision regarding the benefits it will provide you with. One should not choose a practitioner just on someone else’s recommendation - you should first conduct your own research.
