ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles through the skin at therapeutically strategic locations. Acupuncture has been used in China for at least 5000 years; and, the oldest books on this procedure and the ancient medical understanding that informs its use date from around 2000 years ago. Acupuncture therapy in the modern clinic is used for a variety of medical problems but most effectively for: Aches and pains of the muscles, tendons and joints: ½ of any general acupuncture practice is the treatment of ordinary and debilitating aches and pains. Shoulder pain, neck pain, lower to middle to upper back pain, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel and wrist and hand pains, knees, ankles, sciatic nerve pain, when the pain is in the muscles, tendons and around or in the joints, acupuncture is very often effective and highly efficient. Relief can be quick and long lasting. When there is structural damage, as in a herniated disc of the spine, a ruptured Achilles tendon, and the like, or the calcium deposits left by rheumatoid arthritis or the brittle and porous condition of osteoarthritis, acupuncture may be able to more or less temporarily help with pain, but it cannot repair the ripped tendon or porous bone. Acupuncture treats pain and inflammation well, but it is the body or the surgeon or some other method that repairs. Migraine headaches: By any measure, acupuncture is the world’s best treatment for migraine headaches. Again, where the problem is any underlying structural problem like a herniated neck disc or severe disease process like a brain tumor, other therapies are more appropriate. However, many studies have confirmed that acupuncture is far superior to any available medication in both temporarily or permanently giving relief or curing migraine headaches. Allergies and asthma: As acupuncture is an especially good therapy for inflammation, it is also an especially good therapy for respiratory allergies and mild to moderate asthma. For severe asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other serious lung disease, acupuncture is only marginally effective at best, sometimes not at all. Relief can be either temporary or long lasting and some cases of allergy or asthma can be cured with acupuncture. Insomnia: Although it is the insertion of needles penetrating the skin, nonetheless, acupuncture is calming and relaxing. Acupuncture can be effective alone or it is especially effective in conjunction with Chinese herbs. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are non-addictive and do not lead to any kind of dependency on the therapy as with some medications. Nervous stress and its related problems: Like treating insomnia, acupuncture that is relaxing and calming is used extensively for stress that has become internalized in the individual’s mind and body. Work stress or family stress or relationship stress or any number or kinds of stress are treated and helped in many acupuncture clinics all the time. It is most likely the second most common kind of complaint that acupuncturists treat. Of course, stress can lead to a variety of common complaints like acid reflux disease or headaches or insomnia or fatigue and depression or chronic anxiety or dizziness or menstrual pain or …. the list is fairly endless. But with acupuncture relaxation, these problems may disappear. A variety of problems: When all else fails, when other therapies have not relieved the problem, many try acupuncture for a variety of problems rare and common. Acupuncture is very good at helping some of these problems and sometimes not. Acupuncture appears to be a good therapy some of the time for autoimmune illnesses, e.g. lupus, etc. Since it is a good therapy for inflammatory problems, where chronic inflammation is the problem, acupuncture may be effective. Where deterioration of the body or the absence of a particular neurotransmitter is at issue as in Parkinson’s disease or MS, again, acupuncture may give some relief from some symptoms but it cannot stop the disease process. CONTACT THE ACUPUNCTURIST TO SEE IF ACUPUNCTURE MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:03:38 +0000
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