One small study suggests that acupuncture can help treat hot flashes in men. In this study, 14 men who were suffering hot flashes were given half hour sessions of acupuncture twice a week for four weeks. The benefit at two weeks averaged around a 70% improvement, and by six weeks the improvement was 90%. Even after 8 months, the improvement was still around 80%, which is pretty remarkable. Although this was a small study, the results are quite strong.
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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See All 7 AnswersHere is just a small sampling of the many disorders with symptoms that may be addressed with acupuncture:- Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSIs): Carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and tendonitis
- General pain: Easing post-surgical pain, low back problems
- Autoimmune disorders: Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s syndrome, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and Crohn’s disease
- Cognitive issues: Lack of concentration, poor memory, and ADD
- Skin problems: Eczema, psoriasis, and cystic acne
- Energy problems: Fatigue, lack of motivation, and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Gastrointestinal conditions: Heartburn, abdominal pain, irritable colon, and diarrhea
- OB/GYN issues: PMS; painful periods, and morning sickness, menopausal symptoms
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Neurological conditions: Chronic headaches, sciatica, and nerve injuries
- Respiratory problems: Asthma, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis
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Dr. Daniel Hsu, DAOM , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredSelf-treatment with acupuncture is not recommended, either with needles or other gadgets. Only a properly trained practitioner is qualified to objectively diagnose and administer appropriate acupuncture. Gadgets sold with manuals indicating "certain points for certain symptoms" do not use traditional acupuncture theory, and the self-treating patient can easily overlook other relevant symptoms. -
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Dr. Daniel Hsu, DAOM , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredWhile acupuncture is a highly safe form of physical medicine, there are a few risks. These include bruising, fainting, muscle spasms, bleeding, nerve damage (extremely rare) and punctured organs (extremely rare).
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Dr. Maoshing Ni, PhD, LAc , Geriatric Medicine, answeredAcupuncture is very effective in helping a frozen shoulder as well as other joint pathologies. Usually you should notice marked improvement within four treatments, depending, of course, on how acute or chronic the problem is. It is reasonable to expect a full recovery after eight treatments. A licensed practitioner will be able to provide a better assessment of your condition and to determine whether other modalities such as cupping or moxabustion are suitable. -
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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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Dr. Daniel Hsu, DAOM , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredWhile the basic theoretical principles of acupuncture are fairly consistent, styles of acupuncture differ greatly in terms of technique and diagnosis. There is no evidence that one particular style is more effective than another, but you should understand as much as possible about the treatment being proposed. Below is a general guide:
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Acupuncture, part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is the dominant style of acupuncture studied and practiced in the U.S.
Japanese Acupuncture: "Japanese-style" acupuncture uses the same meridians and points as Chinese acupuncture but takes a more subtle route, typically using fewer and thinner needles with less stimulation.
Korean Hand Acupuncture: This technique focuses on points in the hand that correspond to areas of the body and to certain disharmonies.
Auricular Acupuncture: This system, commonly used for pain control and drug, alcohol, and nicotine addiction, focuses on points in the ear that correspond to areas of the body and to certain disharmonies.
Medical Acupuncture: When acupuncture is performed by a western Medical Doctor (MD), it is termed "Medical Acupuncture." Acupuncture requirements for western doctors are generally more lenient than for non-MDs. If you decide to go to an MD for acupuncture, choose one who is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, as this organization requires a minimum of 200 hours of training. Medical doctors usually use sterilized, stainless steel needles, like other acupuncturists, but also sometimes use injections.
Veterinary Acupuncture: Veterinary acupuncture is an acknowledged and respected field of medicine, requiring formal training and certification. In most states, provinces and countries, veterinary acupuncture is considered a surgical procedure that, legally, may only be performed by a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredGuidance for using acupuncture for weight loss:
• Choose a qualified practitioner. Most states require that
• Complete a full course of treatment. Acupuncture for weight loss is
acupuncturists be licensed to assure that they have completed the
necessary education and training standards to practice. You may see
L.Ac. (licensed acupuncturist) following his or her name.
Acupuncturists may also be medical doctors or other medical
professional who have completed a postgraduate program of study.
best achieved with 10 treatments delivered over a few weeks.
• Follow a comprehensive weight-loss plan. Acupuncture should be
used alongside a comprehensive weight-loss plan, like the Dr. Oz Diet
(Dr. Mehmet Oz, Vice Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia
University) that includes healthy food choices coupled with exercise.• Don't confuse treatments. Although ear stapling is loosely based on
the concept of acupuncture, it is an imprecise method that uses
surgical staples that penetrate the cartilage of the ear, which is
known to promote infection.
This content originally appeared on doctoroz.com -
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Dr. Maoshing Ni, PhD, LAc , Geriatric Medicine, answeredUnfortunately, intestinal yeast conditions are deeply rooted and internal to the body. Acupuncture alone may help with the symptoms, but unless the root can be accessed to treat the underlying condition, the symptoms will reoccur. I would suggest food-based treatments; there are several alkaline-based diet programs in the medical realm that may be of use.
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Jill Blakeway, MS, LAc , Alternative & Complementary Medicine, answeredSee All 2 Answers
Acupuncture needles are very tiny, so they can pinch in bonier areas but they typically don't cause any pain; most patients report feeling peaceful and relaxed during treatment. Watch as acupuncturist Jill Blakeway describes how acupuncture feels.