Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture is among the best known of complementary and alternative therapies. Acupuncture is a treatment method that originated more than 3,000 years ago in China and is practiced in most of the world. The method is commonly practiced as a routine treatment in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, and since the late 1970s has gained popularity in the United States as well as other parts of the Western world. Its application in humans and for a wide array of clinical conditions requires explanation. This review will provide the busy clinician with a short summary of the history of acupuncture, models of its imputed mechanism of action, evidence base for effectiveness, and resources for further information about acupuncture. Primarily though, we provide a summary of the kinds of clinical applications for which acupuncture can be considered and a model for how to integrate a referral for acupuncture into the medical setting.

The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished, though it may seem strange and mysterious to many, has been time tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today. The perspective from which an acupuncturist views health and sickness hinges on concepts of ‘vital energy,’ ‘energetic balance’ and ‘energetic imbalance.’ Just as the Western medical doctor monitors the blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages travelling via the nervous system, the acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this ‘vital energy’ within its pathways, known as ‘meridians and channels.

History of acupuncture

The earliest recorded use of acupuncture dates from 200 BCE. Knowledge of acupuncture spread from China along Arab trade routes towards the West.

Acupuncture gained attention in the United States after President Nixon visited China in 1972. Traveling with Nixon was New York Times reporter James Reston, who received acupuncture in China after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Reston was so impressed with the post-operative pain relief the procedure provided that he wrote about acupuncture upon returning to the United States. In 1997, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) formally recognized acupuncture as a mainstream medicine healing option with a statement documenting the procedure's safety and efficacy for treating a range of health conditions. While awareness of acupuncture is growing, many conventional physicians are still unfamiliar with both the theory and practice of acupuncture.

How does acupuncture work?

The effects of acupuncture are complex. How it works is not entirely clear. Research suggests that the needling process, and other techniques used in acupuncture, may produce a variety of effects in the body and the brain. One theory is that stimulated nerve fibers transmit signals to the spinal cord and brain, activating the body's central nervous system. The spinal cord and brain then release hormones responsible for making us feel less pain while improving overall health. In fact, a study using images of the brain confirmed that acupuncture increases our pain threshold, which may explain why it produces long-term pain relief. Acupuncture may also increase blood circulation and body temperature, affect white blood cell activity (responsible for our immune function), reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and regulate blood sugar levels.

What are the diseases that can be cured by acupuncture?

Headache, skin diseases, scaly skin, rashes, itchy skin, sexual weaknesses, diabetes, catarrh, gastritis, joint aches, fatigue, underweight, hair loss, premature greying, piles, paralysis, heart ailments, back pains and many other diseases. It can be used to relieve pain, speed tissue repair after injury, assist ailments (such as insomnia) and promote general health. Insertion of Acupuncture needles is usually almost painless – in fact some people can’t even tell that they have a needle in! Once the needle is inserted into the correct spot, sensations of tingling, numbness or swelling may be felt. These sensations are seldom painful, and if you don’t like them, they can usually be avoided. For diseases such as excess fat, diabetes, sudukabara, pothukabara, cattah, arthritis, less height, back pain, heart diseases, paralysis, alcoholism, etc., there is cure through Chinese Acupuncture without any side effects, within a short period of time.

How can acupuncture help beat obesity?

Women are more concerned about their looks. They epitomise beauty. It is the dream of every woman to be fit, healthy and beautiful. But most women suffer mentally when they are overweight. It is harmful and causes uneasiness, if muscles in the hips, breasts, cheek, stomach and thigh are overdeveloped. Factors that contribute to overweight are consuming a lot of fatty food, high calorie food, sugar and the use of artificial flavours which are chemicals, in food. Whatever the reason for being obese, it can be overcome by acupuncture and the woman can have a beautiful physique and be healthy as well. Men also can have flawless skin by seeking acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture treatment is ideal for freckles, black patches around the eyes, white patches, dry skin and premature ageing of skin, also for pressure. In treating obesity we press needles to St 36, Rn 17, St 25x2, H7, Acupuncture Oureculere Obesity P+ and Local Points.

How can loss of hair be treated?

Hair care occupies a very important place in beauty care. Normally, the lifespan of a hair thread is between two-three years. Loss of hair occurs after that period. However, lost hair is replaced by growing hair. Any deficiency in this replacing process is known as loss of hair. This is mainly due to lack of essential nutrients. Use of unclean comb or towels, genetic reasons or dandruff may also lead to loss of hair. However, a patient may overcome loss of hair, by receiving treatment methods such as proper needling on Baihiu, Hegu, Taisi (K3) pressure points and using a pressure toll such as Plumbosom Needle, within a very short period of time.

Can a person increase his height?

Absolutely yes. There are tried and tested treatment methods for that. Some persons do not grow tall due to genetic reasons with many others do not gain enough nutrients required for body growth. The deficiency of hormones, which in turn affect the Pituitary Gland, is also one of such causes. However, we have been very successful in our height increase treatments performed at our Kalubowila Clinic.