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an Acupuncture Practitioner
Acupuncture
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Acupuncture is an ancient therapy that has been practised in China
for more than 5000 years, but which has only become accepted in
the West during the last 40 years. It is a technique in which tiny
needles are inserted underneath the skin to treat or prevent illness.
Acupuncture is one form of therapy used within the
holistic system of healing known as Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to this system,
a vital energy (qi or chi, pronounced “chee”),
flows through the body via 14 invisible channels called
meridians. As long as the energy can flow freely we
remain healthy, but if the meridians become blocked
this leads to an imbalance which makes us more susceptible
to illness and disease.
How Does It Work?
Acupuncturists use fine needles which are inserted at certain points
(called acupoints) to unblock the meridians and restore the flow
of qi. There are hundreds of acupoints found along meridians
which are said to be associated with different organs in the
body, and stimulation of certain points is believed to affect
the associated organ.
Scientific attempts to prove the existence of qi,
or the meridians have been unsuccessful, but there
is evidence to suggest that acupuncture may work by
triggering the release of natural painkillers within
the body (called endorphins and monoamines), or by
blocking the passage of pain impulses. Acupuncture
may also stimulate the flow of immune system cells
to specific areas in the body that are injured or vulnerable
to disease.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
During your first visit, the practitioner will ask you about your
health condition, lifestyle and behaviour. S/he will want to obtain
a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviours that
may contribute to the condition. Inform the acupuncturist about
all treatments or medications you are taking and all medical conditions
you have. The practitioner may examine your tongue and the smell
of your breath and body, and take your pulse in several different
places. S/he may also palpate diagnostic areas of the body such
as the abdomen and back, and test for weaknesses in the muscles
or along the meridian points.
The first treatment generally lasts about an hour,
with follow up sessions lasting 15-45 minutes. Treatment
may take place over a few days or for several weeks
or more.
Acupuncture needles are much smaller than hypodermic
needles, are solid rather than hollow, and do not draw
blood. The acupuncturist inserts one to 15 needles
which are left in place for a few minutes to an hour.
When the needles are inserted you may feel a momentary
sensation such as a twinge, tingling or shooting sensation.
This is called Deqi, and happens when the needle ‘grabs’ the
Qi. It can be startling, but is a positive response
and should be welcomed. The needles may be twisted,
or electrical currents can be sent through them to
increase the flow of energy.
Sometimes other therapies such as moxibustion (the burning of a
herb over the acupoints), massage and reflexology are used in conjunction
with acupuncture.
People experience acupuncture differently, but most
feel no or minimal pain as the needles are inserted.
Some people are energised by treatment, while others
feel relaxed. Some experience immediate relief from
symptoms, while in others it may take several sessions
to feel any effects.
If needles put you off, you may want to try acupressure instead.
Acupressure stimulates the same acupoints using pressure from the
fingers and hands instead of needles.
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What Is It Used
For?
Acupuncture is most commonly used in the treatment of chronic pain
from conditions such as arthritis, headache, menstrual pain, tennis
elbow, fibromyalgia, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and
asthma. It can help with pain following surgery, and reduce nausea
from chemotherapy. Acupuncture has also been used in stroke rehabilitation
and withdrawal from addictions, including smoking, as well as emotional
problems such as depression and anxiety. Acupuncture may also be
useful for prevention of illness and enhancing general health and
vitality. A practitioner can correct small energy imbalances before
they become major health problems.
Side Effects and Cautions
When performed by a properly trained and qualified practitioner,
acupuncture is generally considered safe and effective, with
no side effects. The practitioner should either use a new set
of disposable needles for each treatment, or disinfect and sterilise
needles in the same way as surgical instruments are, after each
use. The practitioner should also swab the puncture site with
alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting the needle.
It is important to tell your practitioner if you are
pregnant, or are taking any anticoagulant drugs which
may cause bleeding during needle insertion. Stimulation
of acupuncture needles electrically or with magnets
may interfere with pacemakers.
Some people may feel faint on insertion of needles.
If you have had previous problems with injections,
let your practitioner know.
Improper needle placement, movement of the patient,
or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain
during treatment. This is why it is important to seek
treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.
References
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an Acupuncture Practitioner
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Recommended Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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A Manual of Acupuncture
Peter Deadman
Once in a great while an extraordinary book
is published that sets an entirely new standard
in its field. A Manual of Acupuncture, published
by Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications,
is just such a book. Painstakingly researched
over many years by Peter Deadman, editor-in-chief
of The Journal of Chinese Medicine, and colleagues
Mazin Al-Khafaji and Kevin Baker, this book
is certain to become the primary reference
in the West for the study of acupuncture points
and channels.
Introductory chapters describe and illustrate the channels
and collaterals, the various categories of points, and methods
of selection, location, and needling. Ensuing chapters present
each of the points of the 14 channels as well as the extra
(miscellaneous) points, identified by their English and pinyin
names, and Chinese characters. Each point is located in accordance
with the most exacting anatomical standards to be found in
any Western textbook.
For each point there is a dedicated drawing, followed by
regional body drawings. The quality of the 500 drawings is
far superior to those in any other TCM text. There are also
practical pointers for finding and needling the points, and
cautionary information about what to avoid. In addition to
point indexes by their English and pinyin names, there is
an index identifying every part of the body reached by each
of the channels, and separate indexes of point indications
listed according to both TCM and biomedical symptoms.
Learn
more...
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Acupuncture for Everyone: What It
Is, Why It Works, and How It Can Help You
Ruth Kidson
In this revised edition of Acupuncture for
Everyone--regarded by many practitioners as
the most concise and useful book about acupuncture
available--Dr. Kidson provides a clear understanding
of how acupuncturists make their diagnoses
and how this determines what treatment they
implement. Illustrations are included to help
the reader understand what the acupuncturist
does and why. Kidson also explains the fundamental
principles of Chinese medicine underlying this
effective therapy, offers advice on how to
find a good practitioner, and shows what to
expect from consultation and treatment. Anyone
considering acupuncture for treatment of a
health condition will find their questions
and concerns allayed by this invaluable little
book.
Learn
more...
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Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture
Andrew Ellis
This text presents a thorough view of classical
acupuncture alongside the modern approach.
It has several unique features that have contributed
to its popularity. First, the authors have
applied a precise method of translation that
allows the clinical experience of both modern
and classical Chinese authors to be transmitted
directly. Second, the text provides the most
consistent information at the lowest cost.
Third, it provides a more systematic arrangement
of study material.
The authors have arranged the text in four systematic sections:
Materials and Methods, Channel, Pathways, Channels and Points,
and Approaches to Point Selection. The materials selections
have been adapted to Western practice.
The technical information for each point includes needle
stimulus, contraindications, needling depth and recommended
technique, extent and duration of moxibustion. Special point
groupings, such as the shu or mu points, are also included.
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more...
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Acupuncture Books
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