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| A Short History of ACUPUNCTURE | ||||||||
Acupuncture experienced a great resurgence of interest in China after the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. Although it had always remained popular in rural communities, there had been a considerable move towards western ideas and medicine from the eighteenth century onwards. During the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) the value of traditional Chinese medicine was once again officially recognised and it was given new opportunities to develop. Today acupuncture is used far more extensively in China than in the West in a hospital-based system with facilities for treating acute as well as chronic cases. The national policy is to pursue both systems side by side, with extensive clinical research being undertaken to establish best practice. Acupuncture was not the subject of serious study in Britain until the late 1950s. Links were made either through Europe, to where many Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese master practitioners had moved, or through direct contact with teachers and schools in Taiwan, Korea and elsewhere. The early students of acupuncture were often those already practising natural medicines - osteopaths, homeopaths and naturopaths. For many of them traditional Chinese medicine seemed to recognize and formalize many of the concepts they had uncovered through their own experience as practitioners |
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What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the insertion of fine needles into the body at specific points shown effective in the treatment of specific health problems. The Chinese has mapped these points over a period of two thousand years. Recently, electromagnetic research has confirmed their locations.
How deep do the needles go? That depends upon the nature of the problem, the location of the points selected, the patient’s size, age, and constitution,
and upon the acupuncturist’s style or school. Usually, needles are inserted from ¼ to 1 inch in depth.
Does it hurt? If your practitioner has obtained the correct stimulus of the needle, the patient should feel mild cramping, heaviness,
distention, tingling, or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up or down the affected meridian, or energy
pathway. Some Western cultures may categorize these sensations as types of pain. In any case, if you experience any
discomfort, it is usually mild.
Are the needles clean? We use sterile disposable needles which are used once. For those who cannot afford disposable needles separate container is maintained which is sterilized every visit.
How does acupuncture work? Modern Western medicine cannot explain how acupuncture works. Traditional acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese<
theories of the flow of Qi ( Energy ) and Xue (Blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat
like the nerves and blood vessels do. According to ancient theory, acupuncture allows Qi to flow to areas where it is
deficient and away from where it is Excess. In this way, acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic
balance of the body. In Chinese there is a saying.” There is no pain if there is free flow, if there is pain, there is no free
flow.”
How many treatments will I need? That depends upon the duration, severity, and nature of your complaint. A series of 3 sets of treatments may resolve many chronic problems. Some degenerative conditions may require many treatments over time.
Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment?
Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment.
1. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection. 2. To prevent loss, do not wear jewelry. 3. Wear loose clothing. Women should not wear one-piece dresses. Avoid wearing tight stockings. 4. Avoid treatment when excessively fatigued, hungry or immediately after heavy meals, during menses, emotionally upset, or shortly after sex. Is there anything I need to do before receiving an acupuncture treatment? Yes, the following suggestions will help you get the maximum benefits from your treatment. 1. Maintain good personal hygiene to reduce the possibility of bacterial infection. Is there anything I need to do while receiving acupuncture? Yes, What Are The Mechanisms Of Acupuncture And Its Effects? Acupuncture is well known for its benefit in relieving pain. Recent medical advances in neurophysiology indicate that acupuncture has the ability to increase the body's level of endorphin (naturally produced body’s morphine) in the bloodstream. Acupuncture needling stimulates the release of body morphine-like substance to alleviate pain. Other popular neurological explanation is based on the “Gate Control Theory” developed by R. Melzack and P. Wall in 1965. According to this theory, the pain perception is controlled by a functional gate (or gates) within the central nervous system. Normally, this gate is wide open for pain impulses through the small diameter nerve fibers. But when acupuncture needling is applied, a second stream of non-painful impulses is set up from the site of needling through the large diameter nerve fibers. The result is overcrowding or jamming the gate causing it to close. In other words, there is competitive inhibition of the pain impulses and no pain (or less pain) is felt, even during a surgical operation. Analgesic (pain relieving) effect. Sedative effect. Homeostatic or regulatory effect. Immune-enhancing effect. Psychological effect. Motor recovery effect. |
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