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5 Things You Must Know About Acupuncture

In its most basic form, includes the insertion of needles at various points in the body for the treatment and prevention of disease and pain.

The 5 things you must know about acupuncture are:

1) manipulates your Qi (pronounced CHē or chee)

The theory behind acupuncture holds that there's a circulating life force known as Qi (pronounced CHē or chee) which flows along various pathways in the body. These pathways are called meridians. It is thought that in a healthy individual, these meridians conduct their life force, or life energy. freely between the various acupuncture points on the surface of the body and the bodies internal organs. The idea is that when the bodies Qi is blocked, illness or disease may result. The practice of acupuncture is said to unblock the bodies meridians thereby allowing the bodies Qi to flow freely.

2) can be used to treat more than disease.

's utility not only includes the treatment and prevention of disease, but also infertility, the treatment of pain, and the promotion of general health and well being. In fact, the World Health Organization has identified more than 50 conditions for which acupuncture can be used.

3) The majority of Western doctors believe acupuncture is effective.

is based on a pre-scientific paradigm, developed over thousands of years, and involves concepts that have no counterpart in Western medicine. Never-the-less, a poll of American doctors in 2005 showed that nearly 60% believed that acupuncture was effective, or somewhat effective, in the treatment of pain. And in 1996, the United States Food and Drug Administration changed the status of acupuncture needles to Class II medical devices regarding them as safe and effective when used appropriately by licensed practitioners. Furthermore, acupuncture has been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health.

4) Most people who undergo acupuncture treatments find the procedure relatively painless.

Gary B.who was treated by an acupuncturist in California for a painful shoulder injury swears by it, "I was hesitant at first. I mean, he was going to stick needles in my back and shoulder to supposedly stop my pain. It didn't make sense. But a friend had undergone several treatments and swore by it, so I figured I had to give it a try. Anything would be better than the pain I was already putting up with. When the practitioner announced that he had finished placing the needles, I couldn't believe it. I hadn't felt anything but the pressure of his fingers. In fact I had to turn my head and look. Well that was a mistake because there must have been 30 or more needles sticking out of my back and shoulder. The sight of it freaked me out. How could I not have felt even one of those needles being inserted? I was shocked and amazed! But what was even more amazing was that after the needles were removed, my pain had virtually disappeared."

5) Not everyone who labels themselves an acupuncturist really is.

Often, patients are led to believe that their acupuncturist is both licensed and skilled in the art of of diagnosis. While some practitioners get their license with only 100-150 hours of training, licensed acupuncturists must complete a minimum of 1,800 to 2,400 hours or more of education and training. The additional training focuses on treating the underlying source of the problem rather than the treatment of the symptoms alone.