An acupuncturist is an individual who practices the medical art of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a classical and traditional Asian practice that originated in China over a thousand years ago. It is believed to promote natural healing and proper functioning of the body. It is believed that acupuncture may help with ailments such as headache, arthritis, low-back pain, fibromyalgia, carpal-tunnel syndrome and even infertility.
Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing arts and, while its origins are in China, it is practiced around the world. It is based on the idea that there is a natural flow and balance of the energy in the human body. The Chinese call this energy Qi (pronounced "chee"). Qi is believed to flow through energy channels known as meridians. When the body is healthy the energy flows smoothly and in a state of balance.
When the flow of Qi is obstructed at the meridians, it is believed to cause a variety of health problems. Small needles are inserted at the required meridians of the body to free any blockage and to stimulate the free flow of Qi in the body. This is believed to help the body return to a natural and healthy state of balance and function.
Acupuncture started to gain greater exposure and acceptance in the Western world in the mid to late 20th century. While there is still controversy about the merits and validity of acupuncture, there does seem to be growing recognition that acupuncture may indeed have positive therapeutic effects. Western medical science holds to the belief that acupuncture works not necessarily because it restores balance to the energy in the human body, but through the stimulation of the body’s nervous system. As the small needles are inserted along the body’s meridians, it is believed that they stimulate nerves in the body. The nerves signal the brain to release chemicals, which may block the sensation of pain.
The process of acupuncture therapy is essentially painless, although a patient may feel a slight sting when the needles are first inserted. Once inserted, the acupuncture practitioner determines the specific amount of time that they need to remain in the body. On the average, an acupuncture treatment generally lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
There are generally two types of licensed acupuncture practitioners: a medical acupuncturist and a licensed acupuncturist. A medical acupuncturist is a physician who is also licensed to practice acupuncture while a licensed acupuncturist is an individual licensed to practice acupuncture.
Generally speaking, a licensed acupuncturist devotes a greater percentage of his practice on acupuncture than a physician who is licensed to perform acupuncture. The licensed acupuncturist typically has more of an educational background in traditional Chinese medicine, while a medical acupuncturist has a traditional medical education with additional training in the field of acupuncture.
This does not mean that one is, by nature, more qualified than another. There are widely held views as to which form of practitioner is most effective. Individuals interested in acupuncture should consult their doctor or health care provider for more information and guidance.
Content Source: Wisegeek
Monday, June 28, 2010
What Is Acupuncture Therapy?
Acupuncture therapy is a technique of ancient Chinese medicine meant to promote natural healing and prevent or stop suffering. This is accomplished by regulating the flow of qi, or life energy, in the body. Practitioners believe that meridians are channels of qi, pronounced "chee," that run through the body in predictable patterns. They can become obstructed, creating imbalances in biochemistry and problems with organ function. The goal of acupuncture is to unblock disturbances in the flow of qi, which allows the body to work optimally and heal itself.
A session of acupuncture therapy involves a trained practitioner placing very thin needles in a patient's skin at specific points along the meridians. In many cases, heat is also applied. The patient's symptoms and complaints determine which points are used in a session. After insertion of the needles, the patient lies still and relaxes for about half an hour before they're removed.
Perhaps the biggest concern that people have about trying acupuncture therapy is fear of pain. Because the needles are so small in diameter, this need not be an issue. Most people report feeling minimal pain, like a pinch, when they're inserted and nothing while they remain in place. There are also practitioners that use magnets or other techniques instead of needles.
Acupuncture therapy claims to be useful for treating a wide variety of conditions. These include physical as well as psychological or emotional issues. It can be used to encourage continued good health, relieve pain, prevent illness, or treat an existing illness. The World Health Organization has a list of conditions for which it recognizes the use of acupuncture therapy, including osteoarthritis, diarrhea, reproductive problems, asthma, neck pain, and facial tics, among others.
Many people in the United States are introduced to acupuncture when modern medicine can't give them the results they want. It's an increasingly common treatment for things such as cigarette smoking addiction and autism. It may also be used as way to try to avoid more invasive medical treatments.
The effectiveness of acupuncture has been debated heavily, but there is no consensus about whether it actually works or not. Practitioners claim that these methods have been used to successfully treat health conditions for centuries. Many of their patients say that they find relief with treatments.
Modern science remains skeptical, however. No scientific reason has been found to explain why acupuncture would work or to prove the physical existence of meridian points. Some studies have found acupuncture to be effective, but many Western doctors believe that it only works due to the placebo effect. Either way, research has not discovered any harmful or damaging effects of using acupuncture as long as the needles are sterile.
Content Source: Wisegeek
A session of acupuncture therapy involves a trained practitioner placing very thin needles in a patient's skin at specific points along the meridians. In many cases, heat is also applied. The patient's symptoms and complaints determine which points are used in a session. After insertion of the needles, the patient lies still and relaxes for about half an hour before they're removed.
Perhaps the biggest concern that people have about trying acupuncture therapy is fear of pain. Because the needles are so small in diameter, this need not be an issue. Most people report feeling minimal pain, like a pinch, when they're inserted and nothing while they remain in place. There are also practitioners that use magnets or other techniques instead of needles.
Acupuncture therapy claims to be useful for treating a wide variety of conditions. These include physical as well as psychological or emotional issues. It can be used to encourage continued good health, relieve pain, prevent illness, or treat an existing illness. The World Health Organization has a list of conditions for which it recognizes the use of acupuncture therapy, including osteoarthritis, diarrhea, reproductive problems, asthma, neck pain, and facial tics, among others.
Many people in the United States are introduced to acupuncture when modern medicine can't give them the results they want. It's an increasingly common treatment for things such as cigarette smoking addiction and autism. It may also be used as way to try to avoid more invasive medical treatments.
The effectiveness of acupuncture has been debated heavily, but there is no consensus about whether it actually works or not. Practitioners claim that these methods have been used to successfully treat health conditions for centuries. Many of their patients say that they find relief with treatments.
Modern science remains skeptical, however. No scientific reason has been found to explain why acupuncture would work or to prove the physical existence of meridian points. Some studies have found acupuncture to be effective, but many Western doctors believe that it only works due to the placebo effect. Either way, research has not discovered any harmful or damaging effects of using acupuncture as long as the needles are sterile.
Content Source: Wisegeek
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