AcupunctureA Chinese medical technique; acupuncture is a medicine originating inthe orient over four-thousand years ago. Used primarily for pain relief, butalso in curing disease and general health improvement. Oriental Medicine views(illness and pain) as an imbalance of one’s energy. With Acupuncture theenergetic balance can be restored, thus helping the body to rid itself ofdisease. Often illnesses can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.
Acupuncture consists of inserting hair thin needles through specific spots inthe skin called acupuncture points. These specific spots of insertion are overneuroreceptors in underlying muscles. These needles are inserted along meridianpoints throughout the body; There are hundreds of these meridians, all servingdifferent purposes. “Evidence proves that needling simulates peripheral nervesin the muscles which send messages to the brain to release endorphins (morphine-like peptides in the brain). These natural chemicals then block the sending ofpainful messages from the brain. ” (Acupuncture-Microsoft Network Nov.
30, 1996). Acupuncture needles are typically inserted 1/10 to 4/10 on an inch deep. Although some procedures require needles to be inserted as deep as 10 inches. Acupuncture points are then stimulated by various forms of needle stimulation. Acupuncture is an incredibly effective form of medicine; This essay willpresent details explaining some of the uses of acupuncture. Acupuncture; the insertion of needles into the body through specificspots, over neurorecepters.
These needles are then stimulated by either:rotation, heat, or by a weak electrical current. Acupuncture is a medicaltechnique used primarily as a relief of pain, but is known to cure disease, aswell as improve general health. “The theory suggest that acupuncture blocks thetransmission of pain impulses from parts of the body to the central nervoussystem. ” (Compton’s interactive encyclopedia). Three main sites have been foundfor endorphin acupuncture analgesia.
This type of acupuncture blocks thesending of pain messages from the brain. The pituitary gland being one; thisgland, when stimulated by needles, releases endorphin. The second site are theperiaquaductal gray neurons in the mid brain which release endorphins whenstimulated. The third, electrical stimulation to the spinal cord endorphinsystem. The spinal cord releases endorphins to block the release ofneurotransmitters, which carry the painful messages from the brain. Acupuncture, used in Asia for over four thousand years; Originally forthe relief of pain.
“Acupuncture appears to be undeniably effective in relievingpain. ” (Compton’s interactive encyclopedia). Western observers witnessed,ordinarily painful surgical operations carried out on fully conscious patients. These patients were only locally anesthetized by acupuncture and exhibited nosigns of discomfort. The reason for acupuncture’s success is not known, exceptfor the belief that acupuncture needles stimulate the body’s production of suchnatural pain-killing chemical substances as endorphins and enkephalins. Acupuncture; known to cure disease and improve general health.
Withthe enormous problem of high blood pressure in the United States, acupuncturehas been very effective in the control of pressure; aiding Americans in thefight to keep their blood pressure down. In many arthritis patients,acupuncture has almost completely eliminated the pain and suffering. We as asociety understand the problem with obesity in the United States; acupuncturesuccessfully aided in the control of appetite. “At one time acupuncture wasbelieved to be related to hypnosis, but extensive experiments in animalsundergoing surgery in veterinary hospitals have disproved that theory. “(Compton’s interactive encyclopedia).
Meridians; the entire theory ofacupuncture is on the belief of these meridians. These “meridians” are energytrails or channels throughout the body; believed by the Chinese to hold theopposite forces Yin and Yang, acupuncture keeps these two forces in balance. Forexample, the ancient Chinese designated that a master force or vital energycalled Ch’I coordinates and controls the fundamental activities of differentorgans in the body. Modern physicians have a difficult time accepting theseelaborate systems of fanciful theories developed thousands of years ago toexplain the mechanisms of acupuncture.
Modern science teaches that the nervous system and various hormonalsubstances perform the functions that these ancient doctors attributed toCh’i. These energy channels are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of theseenergy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others. The meridians can beinfluenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needlesunlock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flowthrough the meridians. (Acupuncture-Microsoft Network, Nov.
30, 1996). Stimulation of acupuncture needles; once all the needles are insertedfor the specific meridian, the needles must be stimulated. The stimulationis what causes acupuncture to be so effective. There are several ways inwhich stimulation is reached: One being, a gentle twirling motion. Thephysician, by use of his/her fingers gently rotates the needles.
Second,there is heat stimulation, the physician heats the needle with a cigarlooking tool designed specifically for acupuncture. Third, electricalstimulation; the physician agitates the needles with a low powered 2hz electrical current. The physician connects the needles to a low outputelectrical stimulation machine. Stimulation is key to the success ofacupuncture. Acupuncture, a medical technique originating in the Orient,more than four-thousand years ago.
Used primarily for reduction of pain, butto cure some disease, as well as improvement of general health. The mostspectacular reason for acupuncture’s success is: Stimulation of needles by theacupuncturist. Stimulation of the meridians; the rivers of energy throughoutour bodies. These rivers get stopped up from time to time, acupuncture is thekey to clearing the stop. .
. Acupuncture a method of encouraging the body topromote natural healing and to improve bodily functions.
