AN INTRODUCTION TO ACUPUNCTURE
How old is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is part of an oriental health system that has been in continuous use for more than 2,000 years. There is evidence that acupuncture has been practiced throughout Asia since ancient times.
How long has Acupuncture been practiced in the U.S.?
With the visit of President Richard Nixon to China in 1972, there was a growing interest in the U.S. about Acupuncture. In California, the practice of Acupuncture became authorized in 1975. In 1978, AB 1291 established Acupuncturists as "primary health care providers", eliminating the necessity of medical referral for acupuncture treatment.
Is Acupuncture widely accepted as an effective form of treatment?
In May 1993, the FDA estimated that there were 9 to 12 million patient visits for
acupuncture each year. The Western Journal of Medicine in 1998 reported that a 1996
Kaiser study found that 57.2% of primary care physicians in Northern California used or recommended acupuncture in the preceding 12 months.
How does Acupuncture Work?
From a Chinese Medicine perspective, energy or Qi flows through the body in 12 bilateral channels, or meridians, which connect the external and internal parts of the body. Points along the meridians, referred to as Acupuncture points, are used to effect the flow of Qi in the meridians. There are about 360 regular meridian points and many more “flextra" points. Each point has 2-3 functions which may be both local and systemic. In this system, pain is considered to be a restriction of Qi, such as from an injury or illness, or the symptom of other imbalances in the body. To correct the imbalances, the points are stimulated by extremely fine, hair-like needles to regain proper flow Qi in the meridians and balance in the body.
From a Western medical perspective, acupuncture stimulates the immune system by increasing T-cells. Acupuncture also releases endorphins, increases circulation, and releases the body's natural anti-inflammatory agents and pain relievers.
What is Acupuncture Good For?
In 1997, a consensus statement released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that Acupuncture could be useful in the treatment of addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. For over 10 years, the World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture for the successful treatment of 41 different health conditions including TMJ, Bell's Palsy, sciatica, back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, tendonitis, allergies, poor digestion, arthritis, neuralgia, and menopausal conditions. Other clinical studies indicate that acupuncture is also effective in the treatment of stroke paralysis, female infertility, morning sickness, respiratory diseases, and urinary dysfunctions.
Acupuncture is considered to be one of the fastest growing forms of health care in the
United States. The NIH Consensus Conference on Acupuncture recognized the effectiveness of acupuncture and stated that "One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other procedures for the same conditions". A study of six clinics in five states showed that of the patients treated with acupuncture, 91.5% reported disappearance or improvement of symptoms; 84% stated they require fewer medical visits; 79% said they use fewer prescription drugs, and 70% for whom surgery had been recommended said acupuncture had enabled them to avoid the surgery.
Carol Ito, L.Ac., L.E. is Licensed Acupuncturist and Licensed Esthetician and owner of
Rancho Mirage Acupuncture and Skin Care. She can be reached for more information at 760-568-1417 or info@acuandskincare.com