Introduction to acupuncture
Acupuncture is stimulation of special points on the body, which is done by insertion of fine needles. These special points are nothing but stimulation points or trigger points located on the surface of human body.
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History of acupuncture
This therapy or treatment originated in China, which dates back to 19th century and is performed based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. It is known that acupuncture has been practiced in Asia for at least 2500 years and its first known documentation was written in China almost 2300 years ago. This therapy was also practiced in Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. Although the details of the practice differ between the individual schools, the traditional acupuncture theory remains the same.1,2
Principles of Acupuncture
Principles of acupuncture
According to the Chinese School of Thought, an illness is described and defined by divisions of Yin and Yang polar opposites [interior and exterior, cold or hot, deficient or excessive].
Methods of Acupuncture Therapy
Methods of acupuncture therapy
The concept of acupuncture remains the same as said earlier though the method of treatment differs from one place to another. The acupuncture therapy involves the stimulation of certain points (called trigger points or acupuncture points) on the skin typically by inserting fine needles
Uses of acupuncture
Uses of acupuncture
Acupuncture is practiced as an adjunt therapy along with the other conventional treatments, though it does not reconcile with Western medicine, scientific trials around the world have found that acupuncture is a safe and useful treatment for many different disorders.
Conclusion of acupuncture
Acupuncture therapy is widely accepted by the patients as well as the physicians in today’s world though the exact line of treatment is not precisely explained. Whether the concept of yin and yang theory is completely believed or not, scientific trials around the world have found that acupuncture is a safe and useful treatment. There is a wide difference in Western medicine when compared to this traditional therapy, but still it is followed by most of the Western practitioners.
The patients feel relaxed after a session of acupuncture. The number of treatment required by the patient depends on the condition of the patient and in most of the cases within a few sessions patients experience a reduction in symptoms. The concept behind the treatment is to restore the natural balance of energy inside the body. Once the balance is restored back, the body can take care of itself and no further treatment is required.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: March16, 2012