Acupuncturists practice the healing art that was created 6,000 years ago by Chinese health science. The Chinese describe the effectiveness of acupuncture by balancing your life force or chi' (pronounced chee). Chi' is said to flow along fourteen invisible, interconnected "meridians" on each side of the body crisscrossing the trunk, head, arms, legs and through tissue. 360 points have been identified and each serves specific organs.
Western scientists explain the power of acupuncture as "stimulating an acupressure point that causes the release of opiates, called 'endorphins,' within the brain that reduce pain as effectively as any combination of narcotics, and without any side effects."
If you suffer from asthma or irritable bowel; if you are addicted to alcohol, tobacco or drugs; or if chemotherapy is giving you intolerable nausea, try acupuncture. If you have a stroke or suddenly developed weakness or paralysis of a limb, ask your traditional healthcare provider (neurologist) about early acupuncture. The data and research is quite impressive.
Acupuncturists practice acupuncture with or without needles. Acupuncture without needles is known as Meridian Therapy and there are many different alternatives to needles. Acupuncture needles are extremely delicate and small.
In fact, 12-15 acupuncture needles can fit inside on hypodermic needle (the needle used to draw blood). Hypodermic needles are hollow and chiseled, whereas an acupuncture needle is solid and pointed. Inserting a needle into the skin may involve a small pin prick, but most of the time it is virtually painless. Compare the insertion of an acupuncture needle into the skin, like a fork into spaghetti. The spaghetti always moves away from the fork, as does tissue moving away from the acupuncture needle. Good News - there are very few points in acupuncture that are supposed to bleed.
Moxibustion is commonly used by acupuncturists. Moxibustion is effected by the slow burning of a chinese herb near the surface of the skin or near the acupuncture needle which creates conduction and stimulates the deepest point needled. The combination of heat and herbal properties stimulates or supplies energy at the point.
Conditions Benefited by Acupuncture: World Health Organization has cited 104 different conditions. Key ones include: Addiction, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Common Cold and Flu, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Migraines, Osteoarthritis, Paralysis from Stroke, Sciatica.
DISCLAIMER
**This web site's goal is to provide you with information that may be useful in attaining optimal health. Nothing in it is meant as a prescription or as medical advice. You should check with your physician before implementing any changes in your exercise or lifestyle habits, especially if you have physical problems or are taking medications of any kind.
