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 wherein it is believed that stimulation of relevant trigger points on the body surface would either prevent or cure the underlying disorder.   

Acupuncture is developed in distinct version in China, Japan and Korea, and is practiced in multiple approaches. Acupuncture practiced in Japan is called acupressure, wherein it slightly differs from the original Chinese practice with the use of shallow needles instead of fine needles. However, these theories and approaches of acupuncture are difficult to reconcile with the Western medicine and most of the times it is used in conjunction with other modalities.

Acupuncture is performed by using pre-sterilized disposable needles. Based on the location of treatment, the patient is made to sit or lie down. Fine needles with a width of around 0.2 mm are used in order to reduce trauma to the patients. When these fine needles are properly inserted, the patient may feel mild tingling sensation or warmth or sometimes nothing at all.

Apart from the needles an acupuncturist may use other techniques in order to stimulate these trigger points, some of them are: