Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Originating in China more than 2,000 years ago, it became better known in the United States in 1971.
Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is now widely practiced in the U.S. A Harvard University study published in 1998 estimated that Americans made more than 5 million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners for relief or prevention of pain and various other health conditions.
Acupuncture Theories
Traditional Chinese medicine theorizes that there are more than 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, and that these connect with 12 main and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi (pronounced "chee"), throughout the body, believed to regulate spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance, and influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang. According to traditional Chinese medicine, when yin and yang are balanced, they work together with the natural flow of qi to help the body achieve and maintain health. Acupuncture is believed to balance yin and yang, keep the normal flow of energy unblocked, and maintain or restore health to the body and mind. In fact, all traditional Chinese medicine practices (acupuncture, herbs, diet, massage, and meditative physical exercise) are intended to improve the flow of qi. Western scientists have found meridians hard to identify because meridians do not directly correspond to nerve or blood circulation pathways; some researchers believe that meridians are located throughout the body's connective tissue.
Mechanisms of Action
Several processes have been proposed to explain acupuncture's effects, primarily on pain. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body's self-regulating systems. The biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well being.
There are three main mechanisms of action:
· Conduction of electromagnetic signals: Western scientists have found evidence that acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulating points along these pathways enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater rate than under normal conditions. These signals may start the flow of pain-killing biochemicals, such as endorphins, and immune system cells to specific sites in the body, which are injured or are vulnerable to disease.
· Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby, reducing pain.
· Changes in brain chemistry, sensation, and involuntary body functions: Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. Acupuncture has also been documented to affect the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes, whereby, blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature are regulated.
Many promising results have emerged. For example, acupuncture has proven effective in reducing adult postoperative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting as well as postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma, for which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment, as an acceptable alternative, or included in comprehensive management programs.
Increasingly, acupuncture is complementing conventional therapies. For example, doctors may combine acupuncture and drugs to control surgery-related pain in their patients. Some doctors have found it possible to achieve a state of complete pain relief for some patients by providing both acupuncture and certain conventional anesthetic drugs. They also have found that using acupuncture lowers the need for conventional pain-killing drugs, thereby, reducing the risk of side effects that accompany the use of certain drugs. Currently, one of the main reasons that Americans seek acupuncture treatment is chronic pain, especially from conditions such as arthritis or lower back disorders.
Acupuncture and You
You as a healthcare consumer (especially if you have a preexisting medical condition) should discuss any Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatment, including acupuncture, with your healthcare practitioner. If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor and have had little or no success using conventional medicine, you may wish to discuss with your doctor whether acupuncture might help.
The Sensation of Acupuncture
Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, but most feel none or minimal pain as the needles are inserted. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment; this is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
Finding a Licensed Acupuncture Practitioner
Healthcare practitioners can be a resource for referral to acupuncture practitioners. More medical doctors are becoming trained in acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and other CAM therapies.
Check treatment cost and insurance coverage. A practitioner usually will inform you about the estimated number of treatments you will need. Treatment may take place over a few days or several weeks or more. Check with your insurer, before you begin treatment, as to whether acupuncture will be covered for your condition, and if so, to what extent. Some plans require preauthorization for acupuncture.
Source: NIH Publication
