The acupuncture for many years has been part of alternative treatment for various ailments and discomforts. Its name comes from the Greek and is translated needle to prick. Within traditional Chinese medicine it is one of the most characteristic treatments, however, there are several ways in which this ancient technique is used and that can vary between different oriental philosophies, being the best known and used in many countries of the world the one that derives from traditional Chinese medicine.
Originally part of the principles that involve the flow of vital energy known in the East as Chi and how many diseases start from multiple blockages that can be treated by putting a needle in certain points also called meridians or energy points. Many modern practitioners dismiss these old concepts as having some conflicts with Western belief systems.
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What is acupuncture for?
There are many benefits resulting from acupuncture treatment, highlighting those that have an effect on alleviating various chronic pain in patients. Over time these oriental treatments have been used to help control weight, improve and increase energy, and much more.
Non-invasive acupuncture
One of the main benefits as an alternative therapy is that the used needles do not go deep into the skin or are painful, even these treatments can be used in children and their benefits show up in the internal organs.
Acupuncture as an alternative to drugs
This is another benefit of this treatment, since you will not be taking any type of chemical that may have side effects on your body and its benefits can be seen at the emotional, hormonal, immune and blood levels.
Every year many people become addicted to all kinds of drugs or suffer the consequences of their side effects leaving after effects difficult to cure, for this reason acupuncture helps in cases in which they would have to treat patients with strong drugs.
Acupuncture for anxiety
Some of the best known benefits of these ancient practices are related to calming anxiety attacks, within the practices of Chinese medicine anxiety is considered as a reflection of the malfunction of internal organs.
This type of treatment for anxiety can be very beneficial, although the quality of the results in this type of treatment usually depends a lot on the patient and how much he wants to work. The effects can begin to be felt immediately, although with each session the results will improve.
Acupuncture points
Each part of the body can have a meaning of finished and can be used to treat different diseases and ailments, the professional in charge of providing this alternative treatment can put needles in the ears, stomach, hands as required to improve health and treat the disease that afflicts you.
Each teacher can master and indicate to his disciples certain different acupuncture points, however there are some that are basic and known to almost everyone:
- Pericardium 6: This point is used to treat menstrual pain, chest pain, insomnia, nausea or indigestion.
- V40 (Oe Tchong, weizhong): it is a point behind the knee and this point is used to improve functions in the liver and kidneys
- IG 4 (IC4) (Ro Kou, hégu): another point widely used in acupuncture and is found in the hand and is used for colds, headaches or toothaches and even migraines
Acupuncture on the stomach
Recently a new form of acupuncture that focuses on the abdomen has become very popular and many claim that it brings many benefits, it can decrease stomach cramps and even aid in weight loss.
Those who support this treatment assure that since the stomach is an important point as a regulatory system that controls various bodily functions, treating it with acupuncture is an excellent way to improve health.
Acupuncture treatment on the stomach differs from the more conventional ones by being much more superficial and the needles are much finer. Its benefits include a better function of the kidneys and spleen, as well as relief in pain caused by rheumatism, reducing swelling.
Acupuncture on the ear
This treatment is used to help people lose weight, since it regulates the processes of the internal organs, according to those who apply this type of treatment, needles help regulate and better the nervous system, this through the use of magnetic needles, the process is painless and also has effects on the digestive and glandular systems.
Different masters in this ancestral practice ensure that all the energy points are joined in the ear and in this way it becomes very important for acupuncture, in fact, an ancient master in acupuncture used to have shapes to establish what the internal organs were like according to the shape. of the ear.
The Ling Gu Point
A very representative point within acupuncture and whose name translates as bone of the spirit. Being treated daily, this point can alleviate many ailments related to the back, it is used in most occasions on people who work daily in front of a computer sitting for hours.
It is located in the upper part of the hand, more specifically between the thumb and index finger. If this point is worked correctly, it can relieve recurrent pain on the sciatic nerve and lower back pain.
Acupuncture contraindications
It is a very effective treatment for the benefits that we have mentioned above, however, it is necessary that you take precautions and ask your doctor if you are being treated with anticoagulants.
Disadvantages
It is a practice that is not part of traditional medicine and is frowned upon by many health professionals, since many of the tests and studies carried out have not really reached conclusions that can take for granted that these techniques are a real form of treat diseases.
Another disadvantage is that these treatments may require numerous sessions, which can become expensive and another point is that the results may be less with the passage of each session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acupuncture
Next, we will clarify some of the most common questions in relation to acupuncture:
Does Acupuncture Really Work?
Many are skeptical of any type of treatment other than traditional because it lacks solid scientific bases, however, this treatment in combination with traditional medicine has had excellent results, it has proven to work and this is the reason for its immense popularity.
The World Health Organization states that these practices can have a positive and anesthetic effect on the body which could help in the treatment of some diseases, provided it is used in combination with traditional medical treatments.
Annually in North America alone people spend up to $ 500 million on acupuncture treatments to treat all kinds of ailments and ailments, allergies and even to combat drug addiction.
The way acupuncture works is through magnetized needles, placed less than two centimeters deep inside the skin, to stimulate and unblock the regular flow of the internal energy of the human being known in Eastern terms as chi.
Can you really lose weight with acupuncture?
As we mentioned, there are no studies that guarantee 100% effectiveness in acupuncture treatment, however, more and more people see this treatment as an alternative to lose weight, especially when other forms have already failed.
Is acupuncture painful?
When observing this treatment, many times it can seem painful at first glance, however, the needles used in these treatments are very fine needles, which pierce the most superficial layer of the skin and do not hurt even like a traditional injection.
Can acupuncture be dangerous?
As with any practice, it is necessary to go to those who really have knowledge and credentials that show that they know what they are doing, however, with acupuncture you will not run any risk and the worst thing is that you do not obtain any positive results and that you have lost your money.
How much does an acupuncture treatment cost?
It can cost between € 46 and € 78 a session and you may generally need 2-3 sessions to treat a certain problem such as allergic rhinitis.
Where does acupuncture come from?
As we have mentioned the practice of acupuncture dates back to ancient China. In fact, their practice is so old that these methods are discussed in treatises and writings hundreds of years before the Common Era.
Dr. Samantha Robson ( CRN: 0510146-5) is a nutritionist and website content reviewer related to her area of expertise. With a postgraduate degree in Nutrition from The University of Arizona, she is a specialist in Sports Nutrition from Oxford University and is also a member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.