Does Acupuncture Work?
Does acupuncture work? Is it really possible to find relief from pain and other ailments simply by having tiny needles stuck into different points on the body?
The answer is yes.
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese practice of placing needles at specific places on the body to help relieve illness. Despite the creepy images that a person’s mind might conjure when hearing about being poked with needles, the truth is that acupuncture is a very effective therapy. It is particularly effective in treating chronic ailments that conventional medicines often have trouble with.
So how does acupuncture work exactly? The places on the body where the needles are placed are called meridian points. Poking the points with needles helps restore a person’s “chi” and therefore alleviate illness. Chi is what the Chinese refer to as a universal life energy. They believe this energy flows through all things including invisible lines on the human bodies. It is very similar to the idea of “the force” from the Star Wars movies. In the medical lore of acupuncture, this chi can become blocked. There are several reasons for a blocking of chi, but stress is often found to be a major contributor.
When a person’s chi is blocked, an illness or other physical ailment can result. Acupuncture is used to remove those chi blocks and restore the proper flow of energy in a person’s body. Many people have a hard time understanding the concept of chi, however, and think it is just placebo. Fortunately, a person does not need to understand it in order to have it work, and it is far more than just placebo.
Acupuncture itself dates as far back as 3000 B.C. in China. It is believed the Chinese railroad workers first brought the technique to the United States. For many years it was illegal to practice acupuncture in the United States, due to the belief that it was not real medicine. However, many people received secret acupuncture treatments for years before it was legal.
Perhaps the biggest factor in acupuncture’s legalization in the U.S. was the 1971 New York Times article by journalist James Reston. Reston was traveling in China with Henry Kissinger when he experienced an appendicitis. Reston was treated with acupuncture and found the results so encouraging he was inspired to write the article.
Today acupuncturists are licensed practitioners. Acupuncture is subject to the same safety regulations as other forms of medicine, and many insurances will cover acupuncture treatments.
Personally I began seeing an acupuncturist for my chronic headaches and found the results well worth the treatments. How about you? Does acupuncture work for you? Have you ever given it a try?
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is merely opinion. I am not a medical doctor or a scientist and this information should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own doctor for medical advice. The information on this website is intended for informational purposes only. The information on this website should not be used for treatment or medical diagnosis. Always seek professional medical advice from your doctor before beginning any new practices.
Copyright © Amber Reifsteck ~ The Woodland Elf
The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. If you choose to rely on the information on this website, you do so at your own risk and you assume responsibility for the results. (Full disclaimer here)
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This was a really interesting article about acupuncture. I didn’t know that it was an ancient Chinese practice. The past few weeks I have been having a lot of pain in my neck and back. Maybe acupuncture therapy would help.
Emily Smith | http://www.jadepathtcm.com/what-is-acupuncture/
Yes, it’s quite possible acupuncture could help that. It usually works really well with chronic pain ailments.