Informative Essay On Acupuncture

1375 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Acupuncture as a form of alternative medicine

Definition
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, acupuncture is the practice in which licensed health care providers stimulate specific points on the body using thin needles. Acupuncture comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine, (TCM) originating back to China over thousands of years ago. In the United States, practitioners use TCM as a complimentary form of health care. This means a doctor could prescribe pain medication and have the patient try acupuncture.
So far, there aren’t that many studies showing if acupuncture actually works. Most studies done on patients with chronic lower back pain, neck pain and knee pain show that it might help ease some pain. There are other studies done as well that show …show more content…

The Zhou Dynasty was the first era to use stone needles to help cure an illness (289-290). It became recognized in the United States in 1971 when James Reston had an appendectomy in China and acupuncture was used to successfully get rid of his postoperative pain (290). The next year, the NIH awarded their first grant to study acupuncture. Almost 24 years later, the US Food and Drug Administration approved acupuncture needles as medical devices (290). Under the Obama administration in 2013 the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, submitted a petition to elect acupuncturists as recognized healthcare providers …show more content…

I would like to believe that it works because I would like to try it at some point. From all the studies I’ve read, it seems that acupuncture if effective. It can help patients who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms and even patients who are living with phantom limb syndrome. Acupuncture seems to be most effective though with patients who have chronic pain. I have chronic lower back pain and my doctor has prescribed me to go see an acupuncturist because steroid injections did not work. The article that stood out the most to me was, Doctor Training and practice of acupuncture: results of a survey because it proved to me that some doctors do believe it works and if they believe it then maybe it does work after

Show More
Related

  • Acupuncture: An Ancient Remedy for Modern Ailments

    993 Words  | 2 Pages

    The results of these actions can be relieved pain. “A National Institutes of Health trial has found that acupuncture decreases pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee, when combined with standard medical treatment” (“Acupuncture”). While these results show that some of the pain can be relieved, other studies reveal that the received advantages are nearly nonexistent. Disease therefore cannot be cured. “The benefits of acupuncture are likely nonexistent, or at best are too small to be of any clinical significance.” ( “Why acupuncture is giving sceptists the needle”, David Debyshire) This is a statement made by pharmacologist David Colquhoun and neurologist Steven

    Read More

  • Examples Of Acupuncture Can Mend A Broken Heart

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    Teaser: Feeling lost, heartsick and alone? Balance your energy with acupuncture, to relieve your heartache.

    Read More

  • Auricular Acupuncture

    2432 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...this alternative medicine in reinforcing the legitimacy of their work is that there are even discrepancies between them on exactly how to achieve the desired results. “One of the many methodological problems with auricular acupuncture is that there are so many maps of the ear and little agreement exists regarding point location, lacking definite anatomic stud on the ear skin and its somatotopic correspondences” (Gori 16). In order for this alternative method of treatment to become more mainstream and accepted as legitimate, more conclusive evidence and more consistent results across multiple studies, and more consistent application of the acupuncture itself must be achieved. Until that point, auricular acupuncture will continue to help persons who have experienced its benefits, but it will not receive the attention that a more proven treatment would by the masses.

    Read More

  • Acupuncture And Nursing Case Study

    1532 Words  | 4 Pages

    The aim of acupuncture to heal explicit pathologies has not been determined but it does reestablish systemic equilibrium to the patient’s reservation of Qi. For the body’s system to be recalibrated with its Qi, needles are implanted at certain meridians in order to

    Read More

  • Acupuncture: Treatment for Stress

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    Acupuncture is believed to be highly effective. In a nation-wide survey of acupuncture users, conducted by Dr. Claire M. Cassidy, 91.5% reported "disappearance" or "improvement" of symptoms after their treatment, 84% see their MDs less often, 79% use fewer prescription drugs, and 70% were able to avoid previously recommended surgery (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/AcuStats.htm). Said one man from San Francisco:

    Read More

  • Endorphins and Major Depressive Disorder

    2185 Words  | 5 Pages

    Public Health Reports (Interagency Team at NIMH and NIDA Studies How Acupuncture Works.) (1974-) , Vol. 95, No. 5 (Sep. - Oct., 1980), pp. 503-504

    Read More

  • Acupuncture Anesthesia Essay

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the first report on the success of acupuncture anesthesia in 1970s, much attention has been attracted to the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy worldwide. Analgesia is one of the most important effects of acupuncture. Generally, mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia contain mechanisms of acupuncture anesthesia, but the latter does not represent the entirety of acupuncture analgesia. This is because acupuncture not only treats acute or transient pain, but also chronic or persistent pain resulted from inflammations or other causes. Clinically, the pain usually occurs prior to acupuncture, either needling or moxibustion can be used for treatment. For acupuncture anesthesia, an induction period of acupuncture is required prior to the surgery and only needling or acupressure may be applied. In addition, the surgical pain pertains to the category of acute pain. However, most modern studies on mechanisms of acupuncture analgesia are conducted focusing on the mechanisms of acupuncture anesthesia. In the following discussion, we will first outlook those studies on acupuncture anesthesia, then provide a complementary explanation on mechanisms of clinical acupuncture analgesia, and finally analyze their implications in improving results of clinical analgesia. Primarily, mechanisms of acupuncture anesthesia or analgesia include two closely associated aspects: neural and humoral mechanisms [27].

    Read More

  • What Is Acupuncture Essay

    1066 Words  | 3 Pages

    It gives an equivalent effect of tranquilizers in cases of insomnia, depression, worry, and nervous disorders, and its action is swift and lasting. Studies analyze that acupuncture manipulates the production of and distribution of a great many neurotransmitters and neuromodulators and that in turn, alters the perception of pain. Most patients of acupuncture will need several sessions, may be once a week. Patients feel the effect within 2-3 sessions. If the condition is acute, it is typically resolved within 4 to 8 sessions; otherwise, if the condition is chronic, it may take longer. While acupuncture certainly isn't a cure-all therapy, but gathering evidence suggests that it can be beneficial to a degree. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes acupuncture treatments for a wide range of medical problems. A study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, finds that a 7-week course of acupuncture helped many patients to ease chronic lower back pain. For lower back pain, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society, in a joint statement, recommended acupuncture as one nondrug option when standard treatments don't

    Read More

  • Acupuncture Essay

    1287 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mendelson G, Selwood TS, Kranz H, Loh TS, Kidson MA, Scott Ds. (1983). Acupuncture treatment of chronic back pain. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Medicine, 741), 49-55.

    Read More

  • Negative Essay: A Day Of Acupuncture

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, A Day in Acupuncture was an excellent experience. The author felt energized after her treatment. Recommendations made by Jane have been taken into consideration and some of them such as eating every 2-3 hours, water intake, and applying oil at onset headache are easily achievable. Diet, exercise and meditation are more time consuming, so is still a struggle to do, especially the elimination of caffeine and spicy food from diet. Yes, it is a battle but nevertheless a battle that is worth fighting if the result is no more migraine

    Read More

  • Misconception Of Acupuncture

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine involving the insertion of super fine needles superficially into the skin to correct the energy flow in the body. Many people believe this practice is painful, while others see it as a waste of time, or useless. Testimonials prove this to be false, but those who have not tried the practice are skeptical. The long history of acupuncture has lead to many misconceptions about the process. There are many benefits to acupuncture that can be shown through an understanding of its process.

    Read More

  • Acupuncture Essay

    1220 Words  | 3 Pages

    Acupuncture originated in China and it has been practice for more than 2000 years now. This modality is considered the main treatment within the traditional Chinese medicine. Its main concept is the conviction that the body possesses hidden channels identified as meridians. These channels allows for the flow of energy which is considered a vital life force through all the body. Acupuncture modality believes that when this energy becomes obstructed or imbalanced, sickness and symptoms can build up. It is only when this energy becomes unblocked by stimulating focal points in the meridians that health can be achieved again (Cherry & Jacob, 2010).

    Read More

  • The Needle Treatment

    1233 Words  | 3 Pages

    Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of "encouraging the body to promote natural healing and improve bodily function" (1) that dates back as far as 4,700 years ago. Now for the past 25 years it has appeared in the U.S. as a popular form of alternative medicine, and it is "a licensed and regulated HealthCare profession in about half the states in the U.S." (3). It is most often called upon for problems such as lower back pain, migraines, arthritis, and additional non-fatal aches and pains. Some people say it works, others are still skeptical. Since this method does not seem to be based on "actual science", is it merely a placebo effect? Can a medical practice dated nearly five millenniums ago still prove to be valid?

    Read More

  • Pain And Neuropathic Pain

    1403 Words  | 3 Pages

    A feasibility study.” The purpose of this small controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture at decreasing neuropathic pain and improving health-related quality of life. The author 's hypothesis was that acupuncture would significantly reduce pain in these types of patients. This study involved only twelve participants from a podiatry clinic dedicated to teaching students. All participants had to be over 18 years old, diagnosed with diabetes and have a history of diabetes-related neuropathic pain for at least 3 months. Participants in this study completed assessment surveys before and after they were given acupuncture. Acupuncture was given five times during a four-week period. The surveys assessed the participants’ belief in the effectiveness of acupuncture, their quality of life, and current pain level. This study concluded that acupuncture did help reduce neuropathic pain in all the participants but it was not statistically significant. The self-reported belief in acupuncture survey showed a statistical difference in belief of the effects of acupuncture before and after a course of the intervention. This might be because most of the participants in this study reported The quality of life survey assessed six domains and all showed improvement. Although the

    Read More

  • Acupuncture

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    Acupuncture doesn’t allow people to get ahead of themselves like Victor did; the way of thinking brought about is that of a natural sense. The techniques of the alternative medicine allow people to remember how magnificent and sacred the human body is and realize that it cannot be created through lab work or perfected through medicine. With Western medicine, patients can take up to four or five medications before finding one that suits their needs and most can have many life threatening side effects. With acupuncture, it is one procedure and one attempt to heal a patient with NO major side effects. Acupuncture is a unique ancient art that is backed by thousands of years of Chinese thought and research and has been proven affective for many people and their illnesses.

    Read More

More about Informative Essay On Acupuncture

Open Document