acu·punc·ture
Acupuncture is one of the main forms of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It involves the use of sterile, hair-fine needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points. The needles target the body’s natural life force, also called qi (chi). Emotional stress, environmental toxins, poor diet, and lack of exercise disrupt the free flow of qi along the body’s energy pathways. The result is often disease, pain, and fatigue. The acupuncture points are areas of designated electrical sensitivity. There are thousands of acupuncture points along the body and around 360 are commonly used. Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulse to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain. This is the area of the brain where neurotransmitters and endorphins are released. Endorphins are our body’s natural painkillers and are said to be up to 200 times more powerful than morphine. This helps us understand why acupuncture works so well in the treatment of pain while also relaxing the entire body.
TCM has been around for over 4,000 years compared to the only 100 years of Western medicine. It is being practiced in all 50 states. Over 15 million Americans have used it as a form of therapy. Many insurance plans now cover acupuncture as well.
The World Health Organization (WHO), whose authority concerning health-related matters internationally cannot be challenged, has compiled a list of symptoms, syndromes, disease processes, pathologies, traumas, and conditions that have definitely been proven as effectively treated by acupuncture. The WHO has also compiled a list of diseases, symptoms, and conditions for which acupuncture has shown definite therapeutic effects.
In an official report, Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials, the WHO has listed the following symptoms, diseases, and conditions that have been shown through controlled trials to be treated effectively by acupuncture:
Acute Bacillary Dysentery
Acute Bronchitis
Acute Epigastralgia
AIDS/HIV-related conditions
Allergies
Bronchial Asthma
Chronic Pain
Common Cold
Constipation
Correction of Malposition of Fetus (breeched presentation)
Dental Pain
Depression (including depressive neurosis and depression after stroke)
Diarrhea
Dizziness/Vertigo
Essential Hypertension
Eye Problems
Facial Pain (including Craniomandibular Disorders)
Fatigue
Fibroids
Facial Rejuvenation
Gastritis
Headaches (including Migraines)
Immune System Deficiencies
Induction of Labor
Infertility
Insomnia
Knee Pain
Low Back Pain
Low Libido
Menopause
Morning Sickness
Menstrual Disorders
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea from Chemo or Radiation
Neck Pain
Osteoarthritis
Peptic Ulcer
Periarthritis of the Shoulder
Postoperative Pain
PMS
Primary Hypotension
Prostate Problems
Renal Colic
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sciatica
Sprains
Sports Injuries
Tempromandibular Stroke,
(TMJ) dysfunction
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Whiplash Injuries