| With roots that trace back more than 5,000 years in | | | | acupuncture treatment. That number rose to about 8.2 |
| traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a popular | | | | million by 2002. |
| alternative practice. It is not only one of the most | | | | More and more folks are beginning to grow impatient |
| common treatments worldwide, but it is also one of | | | | with the practices of conventional medicine. They are |
| the oldest. However, it did not gain recognition until 1971 | | | | turning to alternatives in growing numbers to find safe, |
| when James Reston, a New York Times journalist, | | | | non-toxic relief from pain and other ailments with which |
| published an article about his pain was greatly eased | | | | they are plagued. |
| after surgery by Chinese doctors who employed the | | | | How do Acupuncture Treatments Work |
| use of acupuncture. | | | | Acupuncture can relieve pain by releasing endorphins |
| The Foundation of Acupuncture | | | | into the body. It has effects over our autonomic |
| This practice is founded on the belief that all living | | | | nervous systems and the electrical currents that run |
| beings have an energy that travels through 12 | | | | through our bodies. It is commonly used to treat many |
| meridians (or invisible energy lines) in the body by the | | | | common conditions and ailments and is believed to |
| use of qi (pronounced key). Each of these meridians is | | | | renew life force to the spirit and the body. |
| associated with a particular organ system. It is the | | | | Common ailments that have been successfully treated |
| belief of the Chinese that disease will occur should qi | | | | include: smoking and other addictions, sinusitis, migraines, |
| become imbalanced. | | | | the common cold, tennis elbow, infertility, lower back |
| How Does Acupuncture Work? | | | | pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis, obesity, carpal tunnel |
| By using extremely thin, metal needles that are | | | | syndrome and asthma. |
| inserted into important points on the lines of the | | | | The growing numbers of pharmaceutical drugs (such |
| meridian, acupuncture is said to renew life force and | | | | as Vioxx) being removed from the market because of |
| restore balance to the body. Anatomical points in our | | | | their dangerous side effects have created |
| bodies are specifically targeted with the needles. | | | | apprehension about taking these potent medicines. |
| Electric or manual stimulation controls them. Clients of | | | | These fears as well as endorsements about |
| acupuncture have reported feeling relaxed and | | | | acupuncture's effectiveness by health organizations |
| energized at the completion of a treatment. | | | | and the government cause more people to consider it |
| Today's Use of Acupuncture | | | | as a viable, effective treatment. Plus, there are |
| The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | | | | significantly fewer side effects associated with |
| reclassified the needles used in acupuncture from | | | | acupuncture than noted with pharmaceutical drugs |
| experimental to medical devices in 1997. The FDA | | | | particularly when used to relieve pain. |
| recognizes the usefulness of acupuncture based on | | | | Research has shown that patients with depression, |
| the over $500 million annually spent by Americans on | | | | post chemotherapy nausea, and osteoarthritis benefit |
| treatments. Even some insurance companies will | | | | greatly from treatment. |
| cover sessions. According to the FDA, the needles | | | | Who Should You Contact? |
| must be non-toxic, sterilized and used only once in | | | | It is very important that you locate a highly qualified, |
| order for them to be legally used. | | | | certified practitioner when seeking an acupuncturist. |
| The use of acupuncture is also endorsed by the | | | | Check with your holistic practitioner for a |
| National Institutes of Health. Many doctors, dentists and | | | | recommendation on where you can find treatment |
| health care providers practice it across the country. | | | | locally. He/she may even offer services right in their |
| Increasing Acceptance | | | | office. |
| In 2002, the National Health Interview Survey noted the | | | | Acupuncture is a wonderful way to treat pain and |
| increasing acceptance of acupuncture treatments. | | | | renew life force. Safe and effective, it is a treatment |
| They saw the number of adults going for treatments | | | | well worth looking into. |
| increase substantially. In 2001, 2.1 million chose | | | | |