Maybe getting stuck with needles doesn’t sound like stress-relief to you, but many people swear it is the most rejuvenating body treatment ever. So, What it is Acupuncture and how can it help you?

In simple terms, acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles, into surface of the skin, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body.   The classical Chinese explanation consists of channels or meridians of energy called “qi” that flow like rivers throughout the body and over its surface. These energy channels can be manipulated by using acupuncture to flush out and detoxify the body as well as provide nourishment to the tissues and organs. An obstruction or “stagnation” in the movement of these energy channels acts like a dam that backs up the flow of water through a river system.

The meridians or energy channels can be manipulated and influenced by certain protocols of acupuncture points.   These points essentially unblock the obstructions, and re-establish the regular flow through the channels.  Obstruction of “qi” that has not been corrected can result in disease as a consequence to the partial or complete blockage of  “qi” and can affect areas such as the digestive, reproductive and respiratory systems. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances and “stagnation” in areas that are susceptible to blockage of the energy production pathways.

While, acupuncture has been shown to cure more conditions associated with pain management such as acute and chronic low back pain, headaches, migraines and shingles; it has a much broader application. ⁵ The National Institute of Health has done several studies that indicate acupuncture is effective in the treatment of many different conditions such as asthma, arthritis addiction and detoxification from drugs. ¹
In addition, the Institute also recognizes the important role acupuncture plays in the support of treating and relieving the symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety disorders both as an effective treatment on its own or with support and adjunct to other medical treatment forms.¹   
Current medical reports from the World Health Organization  (WHO) recognize the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems.  The WHO has also gone as far as to provide standards for safe practice, clinical indications, and application for acupuncture. ²

• Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity/hypoacidity, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, colitis.
• Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, acute and chronic lung infections.
• Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches/migraines, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, arthralgias.
• Psychological disorders:  addiction, depression, schizophrenia.
• Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive disorders:  dysmenorrheal, hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, mood swings, infertility, prostatitis, impotence, decreased libido.
• Weight gain/loss:  anorexia, obesity.

How does acupuncture work?

The physiological explanation is that applying needles to an acupuncture point stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. This application appears to stimulate the release of chemicals such as endorphins, which among other hormones can influence the body's own internal regulating system, and can change the experience of pain.  Medical scientists report endorphins to act much like morphine in relieving pain without side effects.  On the other hand, the explanation of health in the eyes of Chinese medicine can be represented as a balance of forces called “yin” and “yang”. These two forces are symbolic of the bipolar manifestation of all things in nature.   Hence, where there is above there is below, whatever has a front also has a back and night is followed by day.  From an emotional standpoint one would not know joy had they never experienced pain.

Under normal circumstances the balance of our body’s systems is in a constant state of adaptation, based on our internal and external environmental influences. For example, during times of anger and anxiety, a person's type of mood is fiery, or the “yang” force dominates.  Once the anger and or anxiety subside, a quiet peaceful state is attained, indicative of a more “yin” state.

This shift in the balance of force between the yin and yang is very natural, however when the state of balance fluctuates continually such as ongoing stress or anxiety, be it a yin or yang state, health is compromised and can result in illness and disease.

Description of Treatment

One of the most frequently asked questions by my patients is: Does acupuncture hurt?  The answer is rarely, and if so, not very much.   Generally speaking, our culture is needle-phobic as our first and only experience with needles is usually with thick hypodermic syringes, such as those used to draw blood, which do indeed cause pain and discomfort. On the other hand, acupuncture needles are disposable and extremely thin, barely thicker than a human hair, and are made of the highest quality stainless steel.  They are inserted quickly just beneath the surface of the skin with a sensation that last only seconds.  The sensations of acupuncture have been described as tingling, warm and having a dull aching feeling. Usually, my patients are amazed that they feel so little sensation than initially expected.

With the patient positioned lying on their front or back, the needles are inserted to the depth necessary to elicit the patient's sensation of “de qi”, or needle grab, which is a dull ache that radiates from the point of insertion to another region of the body. This can be 0.5 cm to 8 cm, depending on the location. The acupuncture needles are left in place for 5 to 20 minutes depending on the patient’s illness.   Additional activations can be accomplished through manual manipulation, heating the needle with burning mugwort (moxibustion), or by connecting the needles to an electrical stimulating device.

Conclusion

Even though Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, it is only now that modern science throughout the world is taking advantage of this ‘old’ medicine. Acupuncture not only encourages the body to promote natural healing, but it enables the improvement of the body’s functioning as a whole, both physically and emotionally.
Today, without adverse side effects, the use of acupuncture provides treatment for a vast array of diseases.    Acupuncture has created an increased interest in its value and effectiveness, which points to the need for further research that will no doubt lend credit to its usefulness. The National Institute of Health   is only one among many institutions that has begun funding acupuncture research around the nation in an attempt to help promote and educate the public about acupuncture’s efficacy.

 When seeking acupuncture treatment, an important factor is finding a health care provider that is a qualified licensed practitioner such as Doctor of Chinese medicine  (DTCM), Acupuncturist or Naturopathic Doctor (ND). Qualification is necessary for the public and other health care providers to ensure the proper diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in a safe and effective manner.

Case Study

A 53- year old male business executive complained of symptoms of anxiety, depression, exhaustion, weakness, dizziness, and loss of appetite; these symptoms had been ongoing for 5 months.   In addition, his sleep patterns were irregular and consisted of only 3-4 hours of sleep each night. The past several years of the patient’s health history consisted of being under constant and severe job stress, and as a result he had become worn out, showing a reduction in daily activities.

Prior to treatment, we incorporated a series of laboratory and diagnostic tests to rule out potential pathological disease(s).  However, his test results were unremarkable.  He then visited his medical doctor, who told the patient that there was nothing wrong with him and that his only treatment option was to prescribe antidepressants and sleep medications.  These medications produced side effects he found intolerable and further contributed to the deterioration of his symptoms.  

He came to see me through a referral from his sister, who was a patient of mine that had positive acupuncture results.    An acupuncture protocol was administered to the patient based on his symptoms 13 times over a period of 2 months. By the end of the 13 acupuncture sessions, the patient’s chief complaints were alleviated, without incurring any adverse side effects.

At the beginning of the acupuncture treatment, his anxiety was at the highest level.  On a scale of 10, where a 10 represents extreme severe anxiety and 0 represents total comfort, the patient scored a 10.   After several sessions, his symptoms began to improve and his anxiety level dropped to a 4, with a regained appetite and cessation of nausea.  After 6-7 sessions, his anxiety was reduced to a 3, and his sleep improved from 3-4 hours to 5-6 hours per night. At the end of his course of treatment, he reported no anxiety, good energy, the ability to sleep 8 hours, and return to his daily activities.

Works Cited

1. Culliton PD, Kiresuk TJ. Overview of substance abuse acupuncture treatment research. J Altern Complement Med. 1996; 2(1): 149-159.
2. Diehl DL, Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. J Altern  Complement Med 1999 Feb; 5(1):27-45
3. Fung, Yu-lan.  A History of Chinese Philosophy.  2 vols.  Translated by Derek Bodde.  Princton, N.J.:  Princeton University Press, 1953, 1973.
4. Helms JM. Report on the World Health Organization's consultation on acupuncture. Med Acupunct. 1997; 9(1): 44-46.
5. Acupuncture. NIH Consensus Statement Online 1997 Nov 3-5; month, day]; 15(5):1-34.
6. Norheim AJ. Adverse effects of acupuncture: a study of the literature for the years 1981-1994. J Altern Complement Med. 1996; 2(2) 291-297.

back to top

Click here to print this page