Acupuncture: Difference between revisions

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Since the incorporation of Traditional Chinese Medicine into the Western-style hospitals in China, China has pioneered research into acupuncture's application and clinical effects. The Western World, particularly Europe, discovered acupuncture through France's acquisition of Vietnam, which they called the French Indochina. Dr. Nogier was a notable French doctor whose research on ear acupuncture between 1951 and 1996 built the bridge between oriental acupuncture and Western medicine.[http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm] When President Nixon opened the doors in to China in 1972, acupuncture gained world wide recognition as a form of medical treatment. In 1971 more attention was called to acupuncture when American journalist James Reston wrote an article in the ''New York Times'' about an emergency appendectomy he had experienced in China in which acupuncture was used as the anesthetic. [http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm]
Since the incorporation of Traditional Chinese Medicine into the Western-style hospitals in China, China has pioneered research into acupuncture's application and clinical effects. The Western World, particularly Europe, discovered acupuncture through France's acquisition of Vietnam, which they called the French Indochina. Dr. Nogier was a notable French doctor whose research on ear acupuncture between 1951 and 1996 built the bridge between oriental acupuncture and Western medicine.[http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm] When President Nixon opened the doors in to China in 1972, acupuncture gained world wide recognition as a form of medical treatment. In 1971 more attention was called to acupuncture when American journalist James Reston wrote an article in the ''New York Times'' about an emergency appendectomy he had experienced in China in which acupuncture was used as the anesthetic. [http://www.americanacupuncture.com/history.htm]


== Traditional Method ==
== Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy ==


File:Yin yang.jpg
File:Yin yang.jpg


=== Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy ===
The Chinese along with several other Asian countries have been practicing acupuncture for thousands of years. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, whose philosophy states that the body is a delicate balance of two opposite yet inseparable forces, the yin and the yang. Yin is said to represent the cold, slow, or passive aspects of a person and the yang is said to represent the hot, excited, or active aspects of a person. According to Chinese medical philosophy, disease is a result of an internal imbalance of the yin and yang. The Chinese describe Qi as the vital energy or life force, which encompasses the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of life. The Qi flows along pathways in the body known as meridians. Though sources cite the number of meridians as ranging from fourteen to twenty, the accepted conclusion is that there are fourteen meridians in the body that act as channels, connecting the web-like matrix of at least 2,000 acupuncture points. Acupuncture points are the points in the body where the meridians rise to the surface of the skin.  An imbalance between the yin and yang results in the blockage of the flow of Qi along the meridians.[http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm]
The Chinese along with several other Asian countries have been practicing acupuncture for thousands of years. It is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, whose philosophy states that the body is a delicate balance of two opposite yet inseparable forces, the yin and the yang. Yin is said to represent the cold, slow, or passive aspects of a person and the yang is said to represent the hot, excited, or active aspects of a person. According to Chinese medical philosophy, disease is a result of an internal imbalance of the yin and yang. Qi, which describes the vital energy or life force, flows along pathways in the body known as meridians. Though sources cite the number of meridians as ranging from fourteen to twenty, the accepted conclusion is that there are fourteen meridians in the body that act as channels, connecting the web-like matrix of at least 2,000 acupuncture points. An imbalance between the yin and yang results in the blockage of the flow of Qi along the meridians. The purpose of acupuncture is to unblock the Qi by inserting needles into the acupuncture points located on the meridians.[http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm]


=== Basics of Acupuncture ===


The purpose of acupuncture is to unblock the Qi by inserting needles into the acupuncture points located on the meridians and thus restore the balance in the body.[http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction.htm] Acupuncturists employ the use of very fine needles and can use up to nine different types of needles. The needles may vary in length, width, and the shape of the head. Most needles today are disposable and are discarded after one use due to medical biohazard regulations and guidelines. Acupuncturists use several different techniques which vary based upon the patient's ailment. Some of these techniques include:
*Raising and Thrusting
*Twirling/Rotation
*Combination of Raising/Thrusting and Rotation
*Plucking
*Scraping (sending vibrations through the needle)
*Trembling (which also uses vibration)


In all these diverse techniques, the points can be needled anywhere in the range of fifteen to ninety degrees relative to the surface of the skin. The insertion of the needle generally causes a sensation experienced by the patient, which is called deqi (pronounced dah-chee).


Sometimes the traditional use of needles are coupled with electrical stimulus (Electro-acupuncture) or the burning of specific herbs (moxibustion). Acupressure is a similar method that uses massage therapy on the acupuncture points to promote similar results.


In this paper I will be dealing with the ancient medical art of Acupuncture. Today in most western cultures it is considered a "new alternative" medicine. In reality Acupuncture (and its related Moxibustion) are practiced medical treatments that are over 5,000 years old. Very basically, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, (sometimes in conjunction with electrical stimulus), on the body's surface, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body.


Acupuncture can also be used in conjunction with heat produced by burning specific herbs, this is called Moxibustion. In addition, a non-invasive method of massage therapy, called Acupressure, can also be effective.


The first record of Acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine). This is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world. It is said to have been written down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about circulation, pulse, and the heart over 4,000 years before European medicine had any concept about them.


As the basis of Acupuncture, Shen Nung theorized that the body had an energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as Qi (roughly pronounced Chee). The Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang . (I will discuss Yin and Yang a little later). If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. Qi travels throughout the body along "Meridians" or special pathways. The Meridians, (or Channels), are the same on both sides of the body (paired). There are fourteen main meridians running vertically up and down the surface of the body. Out of these, there are twelve organ Meridians in each half of the body (remember they are in pairs). There are also two unpaired midline Meridians. There will be a diagram of Acupuncture points for treating diseases of the Meridians at the end of the digestive system paper. (See Appendix 1). The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by "needling," Moxibustion, and Acupressure. The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang.


Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. When pathways become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of balance. This causes illness. Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.
Yin and Yang is an important theory in the discussion of Acupuncture treatment, in relation to the Chinese theory of body systems. As stated earlier Qi is an energy force that runs throughout the body. In addition, Qi is also prevalent throughout nature as well. Qi is comprised of two parts, Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are opposite forces, that when balanced, work together. Any upset in the balance will result in natural calamities, in nature; and disease in humans. Yin is signified by female attributes, passive, dark, cold, moist, that which moves medially, and deficient of Yang. Yang is signified by male attributes, light, active, warm, dry, that which moves laterally, and deficient of Yin. Nothing is completely Yin or Yang. The most striking example of this is man himself. A man is the combination of his mother (Yin) and and his father (Yang). He contains qualities of both: This is the universal symbol describing the constant flow of yin and yang forces. You'll notice that within yin, there is Yang, and within Yang, there is the genesis of Yin. Whether or not you believe in Taoist philosophy, (which all this is based on), one thing is indisputable: Acupuncture works.
Acupuncturists can use as many as nine types of Acupuncture needles, though only six are commonly used today. These needles vary in length, width of shaft, and shape of head. Today, most needles are disposible. They are used once and disgarded in accordance with medical biohazard regulations and guidlines. There are a few different precise methods by which Acupuncturists insert needles. Points can be needled anywhere in the range of 15 degrees to 90 degrees relative to the skin surface, depending on the treatment called for. In most cases, a sensation, felt by the patient, is desired. This sensation, which is not pain, is called deqi (pronounced dah-chee). The following techniques are some which may be used by an Acupuncturist immediately following insertion: Raising and Thrusting, Twirling or Rotation, Combination of Raising/Thrusting and Rotation, Plucking, Scraping (vibrations sent through the needle), and Trembling (another vibration technique). Once again, techniques are carefully chosen based on the ailment.


There are a few related procedures that fall into the range of Acupuncture treatments. The first is Electro-Acupuncture. This is the using of very small electrical impulses through the Acupuncture needles. This method is generally used for analgesia (pain relief or prevention). The amount of power used is only a few micro amperes, but the frequency of the current can vary from 5 to 2,000 Hz. The higher frequencies are generally used for surgery (usually abdominal), and the lower frequencies for general pain relief. The first reported successful use of Electro-Acupuncture was in 1958 in China for a tonsillectomy. Today, it is a common method of surgical analgesia used in China. Other methods for stimulating Acupuncture points have used Lasers and sound waves (Sonopuncture). A very commonly used treatment in the United States is Auriculotherapy or Ear Acupuncture. The theory is that since the ear has a rich nerve and blood supply, it would have connections all over the body. For this reason, the ear has many Acupuncture points which correspond to many parts and organs of the body. Auricular Acupuncture has been successful in treating problems ranging from obesity to alcoholism, to drug addiction. There are numerous studies either completed, or currently going on which affirms Auricular Acupuncture's effectiveness. (These will be mentioned in detail later on in the paper.)
There are a few related procedures that fall into the range of Acupuncture treatments. The first is Electro-Acupuncture. This is the using of very small electrical impulses through the Acupuncture needles. This method is generally used for analgesia (pain relief or prevention). The amount of power used is only a few micro amperes, but the frequency of the current can vary from 5 to 2,000 Hz. The higher frequencies are generally used for surgery (usually abdominal), and the lower frequencies for general pain relief. The first reported successful use of Electro-Acupuncture was in 1958 in China for a tonsillectomy. Today, it is a common method of surgical analgesia used in China. Other methods for stimulating Acupuncture points have used Lasers and sound waves (Sonopuncture). A very commonly used treatment in the United States is Auriculotherapy or Ear Acupuncture. The theory is that since the ear has a rich nerve and blood supply, it would have connections all over the body. For this reason, the ear has many Acupuncture points which correspond to many parts and organs of the body. Auricular Acupuncture has been successful in treating problems ranging from obesity to alcoholism, to drug addiction. There are numerous studies either completed, or currently going on which affirms Auricular Acupuncture's effectiveness. (These will be mentioned in detail later on in the paper.)
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At least one study found that acupuncture "seems to alleviate pain just barely better than sticking needles into nonspecified parts of the body"[46] and concluded that some of acupuncture's effects may be due to the placebo effect.
At least one study found that acupuncture "seems to alleviate pain just barely better than sticking needles into nonspecified parts of the body"[46] and concluded that some of acupuncture's effects may be due to the placebo effect.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture]
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture]
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== Modern Application ==
== Modern Application ==
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