Acupuncture is a type of therapy that involves inserting needles into acupoints along the body's meridians. Electro-acupuncture uses needles that are electrically stimulated. Needle insertion is thought to increase levels of endorphins (hormones that block pain and promote general feelings of well-being) in the body and may stimulate the release of serotonin and catecholamines. Several clinical trials suggest that the effectiveness of electro-acupuncture in treating depression may be similar to that of amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant). Additionally, electro-acupuncture may be associated with fewer side effects than is antidepressant medication.
Acupuncture
Imagine relief from back pain without medication. Imagine childbirth without the intense pain. These are just a few of the many benefits acupuncture may provide. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago. It involves a technique using very thin needles, which are strategically inserted in certain parts of your body. The theory is founded on balancing the flow of energy (qi or chi) through pathways (meridians) in your body. Practitioners believe that by restoring the energy flow, a re-balancing and restoration of harmony will be restored to your body. Western medicine is becoming more and more open to this ancient practice, and over the past several decades, acupuncture has been looked upon as a favorable alternative to treating many conditions.
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredAcupuncture comes from Chinese medicine and is a popular technique for pain relief in the United States today. Scientific data about the effects of acupuncture are still ambiguous, partly because of the difficulty of designing a well-controlled study. Although several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can be effective in treating different types of pain, the evidence also suggests that placebo acupuncture works approximately as well.
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Dr. Daniel Hsu, DAOM , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredI recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to receive acupuncture treatment. You should be aware that the acupuncturist may need to access points on your torso, arms and legs. It also helps to be in a calm state. Try to arrive 5 or 10 minutes before your appointment to give yourself a chance to relax. Try to avoid the following:
- Eating a big meal within one hour of your appointment
- Fasting for more than six hours before your appointment
- Alcohol, tobacco, food or drinks that color your tongue (such as coffee) immediately prior to treatment or just following a treatment
- Vigorous exercise or sexual activity within the hour before treatment -
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Dr. Daniel Hsu, DAOM , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredSee All 3 Answers
Acupuncture achieves the desired results by stimulating specific points near or on the surface of the skin - acupuncture points - that have the ability to alter biochemical and physiological conditions in the body.
Because acupuncture points are designated areas of electrical sensitivity, inserting needles at these points stimulates sensory receptors. This in turn stimulates nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system in the brain. The hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins, the body's natural pain-killing hormones (thought to be some 200 times more potent than morphine).
Endorphins play a significant role in the hormonal system, which is why acupuncture is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, PMS and infertility. The substances released as a result of acupuncture relax the body, and also regulate serotonin in the brain, which affects emotional states. Other physiological effects include increased circulation, decreased inflammation, relief of muscle spasms and increased T-cell count, which supports the immune system.
1. Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of pain-reducing opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture.
Western science posits that acupuncture triggers three primary mechanisms in the body:
2. Changes in brain chemistry: Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by altering the way in which neurotransmitters and neurohormones are released. Acupuncture has also been documented to affect sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes involved in regulating blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature. Modulation of subcortical structures of the brain may be an important mechanism by which acupuncture exerts its complex multisystem effects.
3. Changes in blood flow: Acupuncture and Oriental medicine affects the circulation of blood to the affected area, which helps to remove pain-causing chemicals and restore normal function. -
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 10 AnswersAcupuncture is a medical practice that has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness for more than 2,000 years and is one of the oldest, most commonly used medical practices in the world. Acupuncture involves use of fine, hair-like needles that are placed in specific anatomic points along well-defined meridians, which are pathways in the body that are related to organs, the muscular system, and the nervous system. In eastern medicine, pain or illness is thought to result from an imbalance in the flow of energy (or qi) in these meridians because of poor diet, trauma, genetic conditions, emotional issues, stress, medications, or environmental factors. Acupuncture is used to rebalance this flow of energy and help stimulate the body's ability to heal itself. It is commonly used for a variety of conditions ranging from allergies to infertility to headaches. -
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Greenville Health System answered“Acupuncture has been around for a very long time and used by practitioners around the world,” said David Shallcross, M.D. “The National Institutes for Health lists 40 or more conditions for which acupuncture seems to offer a better benefit than placebo.”
It’s estimated that U.S. adults made more than 17 million visits to acupuncture practitioners in 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number has more than tripled since 1997. As Americans warm to alternative medicine, many are choosing to try acupuncture for various ailments.
Acupuncture dates back at least 3,000 years as a form of treatment and arises from the Chinese concept of Qi, or vital energy, which flows through the body in 14 main channels. According to traditional Chinese medicine, pain and sickness can be traced to blockages of these channels, which prevent the natural flow of Qi. Acupuncturists such as Zhang use observation and analysis of patient history to direct them to the appropriate points -- there are a total of 361 -- along those channels, where they use needles to dissipate the blockages and allow the flow of Qi to resume.
The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. -
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredMany insurance companies cover acupuncture treatments. Call your insurance company to see if they cover acupuncture, how many sessions are covered, and for a list of practitioners in your network.
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 5 AnswersAcupuncture is used to treat a variety of conditions ranging from stress/anxiety to pain to disease. The following is a list of common conditions for which acupuncture has been proven effective in clinical studies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO):
• Adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
• Allergies
• Blood pressure problems
• Breech position in pregnancy
• Depression
• Facial pain
• Headache
• Induction of labor
• Knee pain
• Low back pain
• Menstrual pain
• Morning sickness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck pain
• Pain in dentistry
• Postoperative pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sciatica
• Sprain
• Stroke
• Tennis elbow
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
The WHO also recognizes other conditions for which acupuncture has shown efficacy but further research is necessary. -
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How often a person receives cupping and acupuncture treatments depends on the condition. If people have a new injury, they just did a little too much yard work over the weekend and their back is stiff and uncomfortable, that might be just one visit. People who were high-school and college athletes and then continued to train at a high level may have a lot more pain and structural issues like herniated discs or torn rotator cuffs. These people will need more acupuncture and cupping visits. They may get treatments weekly or every other week for a longer period of time.
Trinity Health recognizes that people seek medical information on a variety of topics for a variety of reasons. Trinity Health does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. As a Catholic health care organization, Trinity Health acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition.
Please note, the information contained on this website is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider if you have questions regarding your medical condition or before starting any new treatment. In the event of a medical emergency always call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency care facility. -
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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answeredSee All 4 Answers
Acupuncture has minimal side-effects when administered by a qualified practitioner. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles used by licensed practitioners and requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and for single use only. Most practitioners use sterilized, disposable, single-use needles to prevent infection and clean treatment sites with alcohol before inserting needles.