MIT. Harvard. The U.S. Army. What do these great American institutions have in common? They've all fallen in love with acupuncture. In the Journal of Brain Research, a peer-reviewed joint study by Harvard Medical School and MIT was published in late 2008. It showed that acupuncture has an effect greater than placebo. The U.S. Army is allowing military doctors to treat soldiers who suffer from chronic or severe pain with a specialized form of acupuncture: ear acupuncture. And those soldiers find relief. It seems that the initial doubts many Americans had about this Chinese medicine are fading.
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is useful for treating pain in the musculoskeletal system such as sprains and repetitive stress injuries. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Gastric bleeding, ulcers, nausea, drowsiness, arthritis, headaches - the long list of conditions which are often treated by over the counter medication are often as effectively or more effectively treated by acupuncture. And, even more importantly, with fewer side effects, according to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
This ancient medicine is still working wonders at not just relieving pain but in treating other maladies as well. While physical problems such as high blood pressure, low back pain, and asthma can be treated with acupuncture, emotional pain - depression, anxiety, and generalized stress - can also be greatly improved with the use of acupuncture.
Western science is slowly beginning to understand the science behind the seeming magic that often results from acupuncture. Major pieces of the puzzle, however, have been identified. When traditional acupuncture points are stimulated with fine needles during the course of an acupuncture treatment, studies have shown that the brain's natural "feel good" chemicals - opioids or endorphins - are released. These same chemicals are responsible for not only elevating mood but for relieving pain. The points that are stimulated during treatment lie along paths which are called meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that each human being possesses a series of energy channels. Energy flows through these channels or meridians freely and regularly in a healthy body. When the energy flow is blocked, however, illnesses and disease can develop. This Qi or energy is manipulated by the acupuncturist during a treatment to help a patient regain health.
As long as the body's qi is able to move freely through the meridians we are able to maintain optimal health. Why does acupuncture use needles? The qi comes close to the surface of the skin at certain points, and these points are prone to stimulation with either the fine needles that an acupuncturist uses, moxibustion, or acupressure.
Many potential patients wonder how often and how long they'll need to receive treatment. Like any other medical treatment, the answer lies with the patient himself. How long has the problem been experienced? What is it's severity? What is your overall level of health? If you suffer from a complex medical condition, you may need to see an acupuncturist as often as a few times a week, perhaps for months. Less severe conditions may require just a few visits, or monthly treatments to maintain balance.
Acupuncture is over 2,000 years old. It began in China, Japan and other parts of Asia but has since become a favored treatment option worldwide. In fact, the World Health Organization recognizes it as a safe and natural method of treating the symptoms and causes of many diseases. It's natural, powerful, and effective. - 16083
Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is useful for treating pain in the musculoskeletal system such as sprains and repetitive stress injuries. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Gastric bleeding, ulcers, nausea, drowsiness, arthritis, headaches - the long list of conditions which are often treated by over the counter medication are often as effectively or more effectively treated by acupuncture. And, even more importantly, with fewer side effects, according to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
This ancient medicine is still working wonders at not just relieving pain but in treating other maladies as well. While physical problems such as high blood pressure, low back pain, and asthma can be treated with acupuncture, emotional pain - depression, anxiety, and generalized stress - can also be greatly improved with the use of acupuncture.
Western science is slowly beginning to understand the science behind the seeming magic that often results from acupuncture. Major pieces of the puzzle, however, have been identified. When traditional acupuncture points are stimulated with fine needles during the course of an acupuncture treatment, studies have shown that the brain's natural "feel good" chemicals - opioids or endorphins - are released. These same chemicals are responsible for not only elevating mood but for relieving pain. The points that are stimulated during treatment lie along paths which are called meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that each human being possesses a series of energy channels. Energy flows through these channels or meridians freely and regularly in a healthy body. When the energy flow is blocked, however, illnesses and disease can develop. This Qi or energy is manipulated by the acupuncturist during a treatment to help a patient regain health.
As long as the body's qi is able to move freely through the meridians we are able to maintain optimal health. Why does acupuncture use needles? The qi comes close to the surface of the skin at certain points, and these points are prone to stimulation with either the fine needles that an acupuncturist uses, moxibustion, or acupressure.
Many potential patients wonder how often and how long they'll need to receive treatment. Like any other medical treatment, the answer lies with the patient himself. How long has the problem been experienced? What is it's severity? What is your overall level of health? If you suffer from a complex medical condition, you may need to see an acupuncturist as often as a few times a week, perhaps for months. Less severe conditions may require just a few visits, or monthly treatments to maintain balance.
Acupuncture is over 2,000 years old. It began in China, Japan and other parts of Asia but has since become a favored treatment option worldwide. In fact, the World Health Organization recognizes it as a safe and natural method of treating the symptoms and causes of many diseases. It's natural, powerful, and effective. - 16083
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