To Your Good Health
Acupuncture An Ancient Practice for a Healthier You!
By Leslie Byrne
For thousands of years, practitioners have been using forms of acupuncture to help people manage acute and chronic pain and disease. Of course, the past couple of centuries have produced an incredible number of life-changing and life-saving procedures, medicines, and treatment techniques for which we are all grateful.You have to admit, though—any technique that has stood the test of time the way that acupuncture has deserves a second look from even the most modern people! Acupuncture is a holistic, non-invasive procedure that involves very thin needles placed at strategic points on the body. The technique is currently an important part of traditional Chinese medicine practiced every day. In Western medicine, the technique is used somewhat differently. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used to balance the energy or life force, known as chi, that flows through pathways or meridians in the body. The needles are inserted at specific points along the body’s meridians. Originally, needles were made of stone or bone; throughout the years, the needles have been made of bronze, gold, and silver. Today, needles are made of stainless steel. In traditional Chinese medicine, this re-balancing is used most commonly to treat pain. Many Western acupuncturists turn to acupuncture to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to boost the body’s natural ability to manage pain. It is also used for overall wellness and even stress management.
You have a
choice
Acupuncture is used to relieve chronic pain and to address a wide variety of painful issues such as arthritis, headaches, migraines, knee pain, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries. Patients undergoing cancer treatment may seek acupuncture to address the troublesome side effects of treatment. Women going through menopause may choose acupuncture to minimize the discomfort of hot flashes. Other people use acupuncture to help with immune system issues, irritable bowel syndrome, or pain from overuse or repetitive strain disorders. When needles are placed on any of the 14 major meridians, or energy channels, they stimulate the body to react, even if you can’t feel the needle. This reaction releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. A first visit to an acupuncturist may be a little different than what you’ve experienced at other health care appointments. First, you will be asked about your health history, which is a pretty standard practice. Next comes something you may not have expected:
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11/2/20 10:52 AM
