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Acupuncture |
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Acupuncture history & philosophy Can Acupuncture be effective where other treatments have failed?
Acupuncture History & Philosophy Acupuncture is a traditional form of oriental medicine that has its roots in ancient times. Today, even though western methods are also used, acupuncture is still taught to all medical students in China. In Europe, North America and other parts of the world, it is also practiced, both in public hospitals and privately in clinics. Traditional acupuncture treatment consists of inserting a very fine needle at specific points on the skin. (more recently, electrotherapy and laser therapy has also proven to be effective stimulators). These points are the acupuncture points, which are situated near nerve endings, and which are connected to one another by lines called, in acupuncture terminology, channels or meridians. A channel is the course along which a group of acupuncture points related to a particular organ of the body are located. The ancient Chinese believed that Qi (pronounced "chi"), the energy of life, flowed along the acupuncture channels just as blood flows along the blood vessels, and it is the uninterrupted flow of this energy which keeps human beings alive (and healthy). If it is impeded in any part of the body, the result will be disease. The acupuncturist aims at reestablishing the normal flow of Qi along a channel, and the flow of electrical energy along a nerve, are two different ways, one ancient and one modern, expressing the same idea. The insertion of the needle at a precisely defined point on the skin has two effects: first, it stimulates specific nerves that transmit electrical impulses via the spinal cord, and the brain, to the dysfunctional area. Nerves control most processes in the body. For example, when stimulated some nerves will increase the movement of the intestines, others will retard it. Some will increase, others decrease, the flow of the digestive enzymes. The same principle holds true of the blood vessels, the flow of tears, the tone of the muscles, the growth rate, the production of mucus, the turgidity of the skin, the secretion of hormones, etc. The nervous system may be compared to an electronic control apparatus of some highly complex machine such as a modern computer or an automatic pilot. The most important thing is that the body tries to maintain itself within its normal vital parameters. This is called homeostasis. Secondly, it has been shown that it stimulates the release of chemical substances from the brain centers and pituitary gland. These substances are known as enkephalins, endorphins, serotonin, dynorphin and others. They are released and carried in the blood stream, and are the body's own mechanism for pain. Acupuncture and herbal treatments are drug-free; you avoid side effects or dependency. However, you should always inform any health practitioner about all pre-existing conditions, the names of all medications you are taking, whether you are, or could be pregnant, and if you have a cardiac pacemaker or cosmetic implants. Your acupuncturist will be able to evaluate your specific situation with this information to insure the best results. Acupuncture may be used along with other medical care to great advantage. It has been used for pain control after other medical or chiropractic procedures, for improving healing, and to lessen the side effects of some drugs including chemotherapy. All needles used are disposable and are used only on one patient. Most people are surprised to learn that acupuncture needles are very thin. Anywhere from ten to fifteen acupuncture needles can fit into one conventional hypodermic needle. Acupuncturists can attain a high level of skill in gently placing these tiny needles into the skin with a minimum of discomfort. Can Acupuncture Be Effective Where Other Treatments Have Failed? Absolutely! Each system of medicine has its own areas of greatest effectiveness. Acupuncture excels in those areas in which conventional medicine comes up short. Chronic disease, pain control, and stress related disorders are three of acupuncture and Oriental medicine's specialties. Methods of Treatment
Other Benefits of Acupuncture |
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Copyright 2011. Satram Chiropractic Acupuncture & Rehabilitation Centre |
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Address: 251 Nelson Street, Sarnia, ON N7T 5H9 |
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Phone: 519-383-1304 Fax: 519-383-0984 |
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