The Risks of Acupuncture
If you are one of the traditional skeptics of the acupuncture therapy then you are definitely not alone. Because acupuncture has not been embraced wholly by any parts of Western society, members of America and others in the West remain skeptical at least, and hopeful at best, at the therapy of acupuncture that has been claimed by Chinese culture to be the miracle cure of all cures for all things that attack the body. Even though acupuncture may be great for those in Chinese cultures where this process of medication and healing is still routinely sought after and practiced today, there are real and definite risks of acupuncture that must be spoken out about.
Acupuncture Risk #1: Accidental Shared Needles
The first thing that one needs to be on the lookout for if he or she insists on using acupuncture for his or her main bodily therapy is the fact that accidents are always happening and can even happen in the acupuncture field. Many people claim that some of the accidents in acupuncture therapy may arise when there are the accidental incidents of sharing of needles. These occasions may not, and probably do not, happen on purpose, though. However, the sharing of needles may take place when one session of acupuncture ends and other one begins right after. Not all of the needles may get thrown away for one reason or another and then they may be accidentally re-used on the next person. Of course, everyone should know that this is very dangerous and should never be done, but it is just one of the many risks associated with acupuncture therapy.
Acupuncture Risk #2: Pricking of the Body
Another risk that one needs to consider before delving into the practice of acupuncture is the fact that many people are able to be pricked so easily by the jabbing of needles. Even though practitioners of acupuncture usually take very good care not to injure anyone when performing the actual therapy, as mentioned earlier accidents can always happen for the first time. But I’m sure that the stabbing of individuals due to the sharpness of the acupuncture needles is not the first time the issue has come up. Needless to say, the pricking of the body by acupuncture needles should be just another concern on the acupuncture list.
Acupuncture Risk #3: Getting Treated
Even though getting treated by acupuncture should not be feared by any means, it is precisely who is treating you that should be feared. With all the identity thefts and deceitful things that now routinely go on in the United States, there is nothing from stopping someone from just acting like they know how to perform acupuncture therapy. Furthermore, even though somebody says that they are certified, how often does one truly scrutinize the accreditation documents that are shown to them?
All of these things are risks associated with having acupuncture therapy done, and all that needs to be done is a little due diligence to make sure everything is okay. Even though acupuncture is not a bad therapy in itself, there are always the bad eggs that’ll spoil the whole batch!
Tags: acupuncture happening accidents
The Do’s and Don’t of Acupuncture
There are things that patients have to be aware of before, during and after surgery. The same goes for those who undergo acupuncture because in order to enhance the value of the treatment, there are some do’s and don’ts that patients have to follow.
First, you should not eat a large meal before or after treatment.
You should also avoid over exercising, engaging in a sexual activity or consume alcoholic beverages 6 hours before and after treatment.
Since the acupuncture session will last from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how often you have to go to the clinic, you better fix your schedule so you have time to rest.
Chances are, you were consulting with a doctor prior to your visit to the acupuncturist. If there are any prescription medicines given, don’t forget to take them.
You will not feel any improvement after just one or two visits with the acupuncturist. Just the same, you should write this down so you can go back to the acupuncturist on your next visit and tell him or her how you felt during the previous session. Such feedback will let the specialist know what needs to be modified in the future to help you with your problem.
The acupuncturist might give you some herbs to take as part of your treatment. Since you don’t know if taking them will have any side effects with the medication you are taking, you should first consult with your doctor if it is safe to consume both.
Women who are pregnant are also advised not to undergo acupuncture treatment. However, they can engage in that once the baby is born.
How well the acupuncture treatment will go depends also on specialist who will be performing it. You have to take into account their years of experience and skill so they are able to make the correct diagnosis, finding the acupoints in the body, the angle at which the needles will be inserted and the techniques they know as there are different types of acupuncture.
This brings us to asking ourselves how to find a skill acupuncturist. For this to work, we have to do ask our doctor if they can refer anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to also do some research online. After all, there are about 3,000 acupuncturists all across the country so it won’t be that hard to find one.
Before you decide to have a session with them, talk to the acupuncturist to know their credentials. This will also give you the opportunity to find out how much do they charge as this can be from $45 to more than $100 per session.
You can probably ask for the name and contact number of a previous client so you can ask this person how everything went. Remember, if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t be afraid to find someone else who can do a better job.
The most important thing to do during the session is to relax. If you feel an itch or something, tell the acupuncturist. The same goes if you are nervous or experience a burning sensation so the specialist will take out the needles.
Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of acupuncture, you should ask yourself if this form of treatment is right for you. If conventional medication doesn’t work, it wouldn’t hurt to see how things turn out.
The Basics of Acupuncture
There are many people who are either fascinated with ancient medicine methods, alternative therapies, or even those who want to learn about other cultures. In addition, non-western medicine approaches and other techniques are also a major interest to many people. Fortunately, acupuncture therapy falls under all of these categories and there is much to be learned from this ancient medicinal technique. The ancient Chinese civilizations started using acupuncture when there was any physical or mental ailment that needed to be cured. There are all sorts of reasons why this ancient method was also moved from the Middle East where it originated, but a whole plethora of countries have definitely benefited from it.
Nevertheless, there will always be those people who are fascinated with the basics and fundamentals of acupuncture. In reality, acupuncture truly is an amazing therapy. For starters, acupuncture isn’t like any other therapy because it doesn’t involve anything that any other traditional Western therapies involve. For example, some traditional Western therapies involve focusing on an individuals interactions with the environment and other people; however, acupuncture deals with the person and the body itself, including bringing the state of the body back to equilibrium where it belongs.
What Does Acupuncture Believe?
Just as there are a great number (and growing, too!) of people who are fascinated with what acupuncture is, those people are the same individuals that need to realize that acupuncture is truly a belief system. In other words, acupuncture just simply isn’t a therapy technique that requires a person to undergo needles in their skin and that’s it. On the contrary, acupuncture is a whole belief system that entails beliefs about the body and the whole healing process.
For starters when it comes to acupuncture, the Chinese believed that there was one basic source in the body that was responsible for the whole body’s energy source. This energy source is called the Chi, and this spot in the body is also responsible for any type of pain that is felt. Knowing all this, however, enables a person to also know that in order to stop pain from being felt then those spots on the bodies must be removed. Thankfully, the Chinese culture figured out that their were pathways that run along the Chi line. In order to combat any number of illnesses and diseases one has to undergo the process of having needles placed in the skin in order for those pressure points on the body to help the process of healing.
The Science of Acupuncture
Even though acupuncture is not an exact science, more doctors and alternative therapy practitioners in the West are using acupuncture as a reference point and study guide to look at the practices of alternative therapies in a different light. Perhaps the reason that traditional Western medicine doesn’t embrace acupuncture as much as the Chinese does is because there are no hard facts to go off of. But those who don’t practice it also don’t realize what they’re missing out on. When it comes right down to it, thought, acupuncture is not only amazing, but it’s also a therapy that everyone should be grateful for!
Tags: acupuncture fortunately therapies
Acupuncture and Arthritis
Acupuncture is a therapy that has long been held in high esteem because of the beliefs that the Chinese had about its capabilities. However, if you are currently living with arthritis then there is something that you should know about the acupuncture therapy. For starters, there have been arthritis patients who have experienced a great relief from the arthritis pain that they have felt. Whether or not acupuncture works for everyone dealing with this kind of chronic pain is unknown, but what is known is that the therapy does work and there should be lots more research being poured into this age-old technique.
Theories about Why Acupuncture Cures Arthritis
Many chronic arthritis have said that they feel instantly better after a round of the acupuncture therapy. This is not only an astounding finding, but many people and researchers don’t exactly know why it works. However, the only existing and current theory comes from the Chinese because they believed that the therapy of acupuncture could cure pretty much any pain in the body. For starters, the Chinese believe that there are various acupoints located along points in the body that trigger the pain that is felt, especially during a bout of chronic arthritis. If acupuncture needles are then pointed towards those acupoints in the body, it is believed that the pain will cease and the individual can go on living a healthy life.
This theory certainly is held true over the very many lives that have tried it. More than ten million Americans currently suffer from some form of arthritis, and many of those patients feel as if they have nothing to lose when trying acupuncture. Indeed, they do not have anything to lose, because the Chinese believed that this form of therapy, even if it wouldn’t work for some people, certainly would not be of harm to anyone.
Where to Receive Arthritis Acupuncture
If one is looking to find a cure for their arthritis and they are looking for an acupuncture cure specifically, there are many places one can go in order to try this age-old therapy. For starters, universities and colleges along with research centers are usually more than happy to take on arthritis patients in their effort to find out more about why acupuncture does work. Along with these kinds of establishments, though, there are also set acupuncture therapists that work alongside patients in their private offices, and these are the offices where the more individualized acupuncture care can take place. If one is not able to find an acupuncture therapist in his or her own city or town then chances are that they will have to drive a short distance to find someone who is interested in the therapy.
Nevertheless, though, there are thousands of places across the United States that are interested in pursuing the art of acupuncture in order to cure arthritis. What arthritis patients do know and what acupuncture therapists have known for quite some time is that the therapy does work well and it only take a little bit of believe and confidence in order to know that one will actually get better from the terrible and plaguing arthritis.
Tags: acupuncture arthritis patients
What is Acupuncture?
What is acupuncture? It is a form of holistic healthcare that is used to prevent and treat certain diseases as well as relieve pain and anesthetize patients for surgery. Research shows that this began in China and has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.
The earliest account of this is found in the book called Nei Jing which in English means the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine. The contents of this book date somewhere around 200 BC. Back then, they did not use metal needles and instead used those made out of stone, moxibustion and herbs to treat a patient.
Acupuncture prevents and treats diseases by inserting very fine needles into the skin specifically at the anatomic points of the body.
The principle behind this concept is that illnesses occur because there is an imbalance in your life force otherwise known as Qi. It is believed that this flows in 14 channels in the human body known as meridians which branch out to bodily organs and functions. If there is a blockage or obstruction in any of them, this is when you succumb to a disease or an illness.
The imbalance in the Qi may go one way or the other because of Yin and Yang. The person can only be normal if there is harmony between the two which is what acupuncture is trying to achieve. This can only be restored by stimulating these acupuncture points so your Qi can be adjusted, balanced and harmonized.
Apart from using needles, practitioners also use friction, heat, impulses of electromagnetic energy and pressure to stimulate these points in order to balance the movement of energy in the body to reduce one’s health.
An example of this is sonopuncture where an ultrasound device that transmits sound waves is applied to these points in the body. Some use a tuning fork and other vibration devices.
Acupressure is another example and here, the fingers are used to relive the pain. This can be used by itself or with other manual healing techniques.
Impulses of electromagnetic energy are used because our bodies generate tiny but electrical discharges which influence the function, growth and maturity of certain types of cells. By inserting the needles in these areas, it stimulates and alters the neurotransmitters in the body thus making the patient feel better after treatment. This is also sometimes used for diagnosis and testing.
According to the World Health Organization or WHO, here is a list of some illnesses where acupuncture is used. These include acute bronchitis, the common cold, cataract, toothaches, gingivitis, hiccups, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, headache and migraine, Meniere’s disease, osteoarthritis and a lot more. In the US, acupuncture is often used to treat chronic pain conditions and mind body disorders.
But acupuncture is not risk free. Hematoma may develop if the needle punctures a circulatory structure. It is also possible that pneumothorax may occur if the needle is inserted too deep. There is also the risk of HIV and hepatitis if the needle was not properly sterilized.
Now that you know what acupuncture is, you must not forget that it is merely an alternative and not a proper form of medical treatment. This means you should still be examined by a professional in the medical field who can determine the severity of your illness or disease.
Tags: acupuncture diseases illnesses
Finding an Acupuncture Therapist
When one thinks of acupuncture therapy there are many types of images that may come into one’s head. For example, ancient Chinese concoctions are just some of the notions and preconceived idea that many people have about receiving help from an acupuncturist. However, it has already been proven that acupuncture does help and there are many people outside of the eastern Chinese culture that are advocating for the more widespread use of acupuncture in everyday medicine. Indeed, there is a lot to learn from the ancient technique that we call acupuncture, but there are also many ways to go about learning about it, too.
One way that a person is able to learn more about acupuncture is through the information that one can gain through his or her own acupuncture therapist. There are thousands of acupuncture therapists that now exist in the United States because of the great benefits that this alternative therapy can provide. In addition, many people seek out treatment because they may be hesitant about trying it. Whatever the case, acupuncture therapists are a great way to learn more about the technique that is used.
If you are having trouble finding an acupuncture therapist, though, there are some definite ways in which a person can successfully find an acupuncturist. For starters, there are plenty of Chamber of Commerce institutions throughout cities all across America that deal with every city organization and business within the city or town that they are located in. However, if you don’t want to go through the Chamber of Commerce then there are naturally a variety of other ways that acupuncture therapists can be found.
Universities and Colleges
Another way to seek out the help of a professional acupuncture therapist is to find one teaching inside an academic setting like a college or university. Just as there are doctors that also teach within medical schools, so too are there acupuncture therapists that teach in academic settings. Of course, if the college or university your are looking at does not have any acupuncture courses then chances are that there will be no one inside the school to have these kinds of resources available. On the other hand, if there is a course labeled “Alternative Therapy,” then there is a very good chance that the professor in that course either is an acupuncture therapist himself, or can easily connect you with an acupuncture professional.
Massage Therapist Businesses
One type of business that may just be able to help with finding an acupuncture therapist are massage therapy organizations and businesses. The main reason this is so, though, is because many massage therapy businesses actually use acupuncture therapy along with the massages that are done. In fact, massage therapy is a great complement to acupuncture therapy, so there very well may be an acupuncture professional in the building.
All in all, these are great ways to go about finding an acupuncture therapist. If you have never had the chance to meet this kind of a therapist then chances are that you don’t already know where to find one. But if you use one of these resources here then chances are great that an acupuncturist is right around the corner!
Tags: acupuncture therapist therapists
Acupuncture Therapists: The Transportable Career
Whether you are setting out to be a doctor or a nurse or perhaps a medical assistant, there are all sorts of different paths that one can take once they have decided to go down the medicine path. For example, instead of becoming simply a nurse one can turn the sharp and distinct corner to attend medical school in order to be certified as a Medical Doctor. On the other hand, the reverse is true and a person could go in the opposite direction. However, acupuncture therapy is another subfield of the medical arena and there are many degree programs that specialize in treating patients with acupuncture as an alternative therapy.
If one sets out to become an acupuncturist, though, the one benefit that one has in becoming this sort of therapist is that he or she is able to transfer his or her career any place that he or she goes. For example, assume that a female student went to a college and was able to get certified in becoming a practitioner of acupuncture therapy. After she graduates from the college and receives her certificate then she is able to take that certificate anywhere that she moves to. On the other hand, a Medical Doctor, psychologist, and other professionals in the medical field will have to re-certify him or herself in whichever state that he moves to. This is the main benefit of becoming an acupuncture therapist and there is great value to having a transportable career!
Perhaps another benefit, though, of becoming an acupuncture therapist is the great deal of money and rewards that are earned in this profession. For example, since acupuncture therapy is not trained in all the schools across America then there is a greater chance that you could be hired in at the university level teaching how to perform acupuncture therapy to students. Everyone knows that a professor’s teaching position pays pretty well, and if you intend to teach at a college then you are setting yourself up for a financially-secure job.
The other money that can be made in the acupuncture therapy world, though, is from the patients. If one has his or her certificate in practicing acupuncture therapy then patients will naturally pay a great deal of money to be able to be healed from all their ailments. In addition, many people who like the thought of acupuncture therapy tend to schedule their monthly sessions in advance, which means that the money and payments would continue to flow in your direction!
All in all, acupuncture therapists are just now starting to flourish in the United States. There are all sorts of possibilities when practicing inside the United States, but one is also able to go out of state in order to have the career that is desired. All things considered, though, a dream job and salary can definitely be obtained in the United States by simply becoming an acupuncture therapist! Becoming this type of a therapist will not only help you, but the thousands of people who come your way!
Tags: acupuncture becoming therapist
Treating Animals with Acupuncture
It has long been known that acupuncture is a great way to treat many disorders and diseases with the alternative therapy that’s called acupuncture. There are a great many benefits to the therapy and it is practiced literally all over the world. Even though there are many questions that need to be raised as to how the whole process works, many people are just fine and satisfied with the fact that they don’t need empirical data in order to see that acupuncture truly works. But one issue that you may not have thought of before is whether or not animals are able to be subject to the same alternative therapy of acupuncture as humans are. This is naturally a delicate issue that many people don’t take lightly, but when it comes to pets living in homes there are also many people who are concerned about the health of their animals. Here is some food for thought when trying to decide if animal acupuncture is the best thing for your pet:
Does Acupuncture Work on Pets?
Just as there are those who say that acupuncture is not a therapy and doesn’t work on humans, the same people are the ones who usually state that acupuncture doesn’t work on pets, either. On the other hand, there are some people who believe in acupuncture for strictly humans and contend that acupuncture doesn’t reach to the animal world. Nevertheless, there is also no real and hard evidence in favor of or to the contrary that animal acupuncture should or should not be practiced. Even though there has been less acupuncture practiced on dogs, cats, and other animals, the fact that the alternative therapy is not usually practiced on animals should shed light on the fact that it doesn’t work, or at least not too well!
Is Acupuncture Practiced on Pets?
Even though the skeptics of acupuncture don’t enjoy the thought of having acupuncture practiced on their beloved pets, it is true that there are some certified acupuncture therapists who will perform an acupuncture therapy on their cats, dogs, and other pets. Just because acupuncture works for humans doesn’t mean that it can’t work for pets, too. On the other hand, there are also those who do practice acupuncture on humans that also say that acupuncture should not be practiced on animals.
Nevertheless, though, some people believe that the same pressure points that can be found on a human can also be found on a dog or a cat. These dogs and cats are also said to have an energy source, such as the Chi in humans, and that energy source is where cats and dogs derive all their pain from. The whole idea, though, of practicing acupuncture on cats and dogs have come directly from those who already currently practice the alternative therapy on humans and themselves. In fact, there have been some cases where practicing acupuncture on pets, including dogs and cats, has worked, but there has not been a substantial number of pets that have been healed by acupuncture, at least in the United States.
When considering having your pet treated with acupuncture, though, all one needs to do is consider the many benefits and downsides to doing so. If one truly is an advocate of acupuncture, though, chances are that he or she will trust it for their pets as well!
Tags: acupuncture practiced alternative
Quit Smoking With Acupuncture
There are thousands of people living in the United States who have claimed to have tried to quit smoking on their own, however, their own efforts have been met with resistance from their body. If you are one of those people who have tried to quit smoking to no avail, there are many other different options that one can consider. For starters, acupuncture is a relatively new therapy in the United States that has been shown to help individuals with their smoking goals. Even though there is no scientific basis for the process that acupuncture helps smokers quit, research by private individuals indicates that acupuncture can have a profound affect on those that want to quit smoking fast.
If you are wondering just how acupuncture may help a smoker with his or her goals, there are actually quite a number of theories that go along with acupuncture method in order to describe how the smoker is able to instantly kick the habit in favor of a newer and healthy body. However, the basic tenet of acupuncture is that the pressure points, or acupoints, on the body are relaxed and relieved by the placing of needles on various parts of it. This whole idea has revolutionary ideas in order for individuals to quit smoking, too.
Consider the fact that the nicotine in cigarettes is able to release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into areas of the brain, as well as endorphins that are also responsible for this large release of the neurotransmitter. One theory about why acupuncture works on the body is that the affects of acupuncture work in the same way that nicotine works on the brain. By stimulating those same neurotransmitters and by stimulating the production of acetylcholine, one is able to produce the same psychosomatic effects on the brain as if they were smoking. This idea is revolutionary, though, and many people who practice acupuncture are literally astounded that there are some people who have figured this out.
However, there has been no scientific facts to back those claims up and the procedure of acupuncture would have to be studied under scrutiny a whole lot more in order to confirm that the whole therapeutic procedure does release the same type of neurotransmitter as smoking a cigarette. However, if this was definitely true then there would be a whole lot of hypnotists that are currently working with smokers that would have a backup plan if hypnotism was not able to work with a particular individual.
There are many benefits to trying acupuncture for the very reason to quit smoking, though. Just as there are those who are skeptical of the whole process of acupuncture, if one has the process done in order to help him or her with their goal to quit smoking then chances are that he or she would be likely to endorse acupuncture with his or her name. All in all, through, the process of acupuncture really comes down to individual belief and confidence. Whether or not you currently believe in acupuncture is not what should matter, but the matter of trying it out is what should be the next step!
Acupuncture for Effective Weight Loss
In a generation when physical fitness is given topmost attention, people are always on the lookout for the newest and most effective means for weight loss. Acupuncture, the method of inserting thin, filiform needles on certain points in an individual’s body, has been found to be one effectual method for losing weight.
Not many people may find the idea of being inserted by needles quite comforting in their quest for weight control. However, this ancient Chinese alternative treatment seeks to deliver a control mechanism, enabling the patient to manage hunger cravings more successfully in the long run.
The Skinny on Acupuncture Weight Loss
It has been found that weight gain is directly related to emotions. Other than physical hunger, people reach for a huge chocolate bar or a big platter of burger and fries because of the sense of comfort derived from food and eating. More often than not, excessive weight gain is an emotional issue, rather than a mere physical one. You may not realize it, but you tend to take in more food whenever you’re stressed, upset, or pressured.
In Acupuncture, there are specific spots on the body being targeted by the hair-like needles. These spots are linked to certain areas in the body and by stimulating these spots; the patient will achieve a greater sense of inner balance. As these points are inserted by the needles, certain hormones are released throughout the body. These substances work by helping you manage hunger and efficiently control the impulse to overeat.
How Acupuncture Induces Weight Loss
Most acupuncturists will target the spots behind the ear when it comes to promoting weight loss. When these points behind the ear are stimulated, endorphins are released in large doses. Endorphins are called the feel-good hormones, and these are also often referred to as natural pain and fever relievers. The release of endorphins is what makes you feel better after an increased level of physical activity, as in the case of a good workout.
These bodily compounds allow the patient to experience better relaxation, thus considerably alleviating stress. There is a greater possibility of enhanced weight loss when the patient has already achieved emotional wellness. Endorphins are also released whenever the body experiences low levels of bodily pain, thus their moniker as a natural pain reliever.
Patients of acupuncture typically experience very minimal or no pain at all, however most of the points are located near nerve endings and muscle tissues. As the needles are embedded in the body, signals are sent to the brain thus promoting the release of endorphins from the pituitary gland.
There are also other points in the body that serve as gateways for better weight management. One of these placements promotes a decrease in an individual’s appetite, while another has the ability to reduce water retention in the body. The acupuncturist may choose a multi-targeted approach, depending on the requirements of the patient.
Consulting with a Professional Acupuncturist
There are a number of acupuncture practitioners in existence nowadays, offering a host of services. If you are considering this form treatment for your weight management, make sure that you settle with no less than a trained and professional acupuncturist. A poorly trained acupuncturist may not be able to pinpoint the specific meridian points and worse, may cause unnecessary bodily pain and discomfort.
Moreover, your acupuncturist may require an herbal supplement for your treatment, to encourage a longer-term effect. Your sessions need not be maintained for an extensive period; however you may be required to visit your acupuncturist during the entire course of the sessions.
There are other means for losing weight successfully, and this does not include crash dieting and strenuous work outs. If carried out by trained professionals, acupuncture can be the answer for effective weight management. While it is far from being a cure-all, it may just be the right weight loss solution for you.