Acupuncture is an Oriental medicine that dates back some 5,000 years. It has been re-discovered more recently in the West, although Chinese acupuncture enjoys mainstream status in much of Asia. The traditional style of acupuncture uses fine needles inserted in various points on the body, used to stimulate energy. The acupuncture needle is sometimes used along with heat or massage therapy. A recent variation of acupuncture is acupressure, where needles are not used, instead, pressure is applied to the acupuncture points through other means, such as massage.
Another modern variation is laser acupuncture, which trades the old-fashioned needles for lasers to stimulate the acupuncture pressure points. Some acupuncturists also apply electricity to the acupuncture needles, and this type of acupuncture has been shown to be very effective in treating pain or for use as an anesthetic.
The history of acupuncture details an energy force called Qi, which moves around the body along meridians, which are a set of special paths that control various aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional and spiritual lives. Ear acupuncture, also known as auriculotherapy, focuses on the ear, under the theory that it is connected by Qi to almost every other part of the body.
Various types of acupuncture have been used for thousands of years to treat a wide variety of illnesses. Acupuncture treatment is commonly used for infertility, arthritis, and depression. Others use it as an aid for smoking cessation or weight loss. It is also commonly used to treat headache. Acupuncture treatment can also be used in conjunction with mainstream Western medicine, to help treat serious diseases, including cancer.
Also more recently, acupuncture has come to be used for cosmetic purposes, and facial acupuncture uses acupuncture pressure points in the face to firm up a sagging face, eliminate wrinkles and improve muscle tone. Facial acupuncture is often combined with herbal face masks and other natural treatments designed to improve appearance and overall health.
An acupuncture session usually starts out with a basic consultation that covers everything concerning your health. The acupuncturist will usually examine your tongue, and take your pulse, and then decide on a combination of acupuncture points to treat. The acupuncture session itself is relatively painless. The needles are very fine, and usually all you feel is a mild tingle. Needles may be left in for about 20 minutes, and modern acupuncture needles are designed to be used only once and then discarded.
Accredited acupuncture schools are common in the Orient, but are also appearing in major Western cities, including New York. Acupuncture training is rigorous and often calls for a multi-year course of study; some practitioners combine acupuncture studies with other fields, such as chiropractic. Still others that are more interested in medical acupuncture in a clinical, hospital setting combine acupuncture with mainstream Western medicine. Some Western hospitals even include acupuncture clinics as part of their overall treatment availability, allowing it to be administered in a controlled, medical environment.
