|
Prehistoric method in which an experienced practitioner inserts hair-thin needles into specific points on the body to prevent or treat illness is called acupuncture; acupuncture is practiced for over 2,500 years in China, where it originated.
Acupuncture is part of the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which views health as a constantly changing flow of energy. In TCM, imbalances in this natural flow of energy are thought to result in disease. Acupuncture aims to restore health by improving the flow of body.
The practitioner will take a thorough medical history, then may three pulses on each wrist, examine your tongue, take note of how your breath and body smell, and certain areas of your body. Depending on your sickness, you may also have your first acupuncture treatment at this time. In general, visits occur once or twice a week over several months until therapeutic results are achieved.
Needles can feel itchy at times, they rarely hurt. They are very thin (only about three times the thickness of a human hair and much finer than the hypodermic needles used to give injections) and are designed to enter the skin with little resistance. Once the needles are inserted (generally from one to 15 are used), the acupuncturist may twist them manually or send a weak electrical current through them to increase the energy flow. The needles may be left in for 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the ailment. Some practitioners also use moxibustion, which involves heating the needles or acupoint with a slowly burning herbal agent (primarily the dried herb mugwort) to hasten healing.
Dissimilar people experience different feelings from acupuncture. Some describe a tingling pins-and-needles feeling, others may feel numbness or nothing at all. Most find the sessions relaxing, and many fall asleep during or immediately after treatment.
Little patients notice rapid improvement after just a few sessions. In those whose conditions have taken years to develop, treatment may take longer.
|
