What Is Acupuncture Essay

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Acupuncture: The practice is the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points (a.k.a. acupoints) just beneath the body surface. Needles varies in length between 13 to 130 mm (0.51 to 5.12 in), shorter needles for face and eyes, and longer needles for more fleshy areas; the diameters vary from 0.16 mm (0.006 in) to 0.46 mm (0.018 in), thicker needles for more robust patients. Acupuncture points are very precise locations and lie on channels of energy. The practice of acupuncture is based on the fact that the stimulation of specific areas on the skin affects the function of certain organs of the body and that health results from a balanced flow of Qi (a.k.a. ‘Chi’) which is circulated through the blood stream through 14 energy ducts called …show more content…

Cupping therapy is also an ancient Chinese procedure belonging to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in which a local suction is created using cup through either heat (fire) or suction. The targeted skin is gently sucked inside the cup by creating a vacuum in the cup and leaving it for about 10 to 15 minutes. It helps treating pain, muscle knots, swelling and mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing. Similar to acupuncture, Tui na is another TCM method of attempting to stimulate the flow of qi by various bare-handed techniques that do not involve …show more content…

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

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