How Does Acupuncture Work?
According to classical Chinese beliefs, an invisible force called qi moves in regular patterns through the body and over its surface using channels called meridians. Like a river, it nourishes everything along its path. According to this viewpoint, back pain and general ill health are the result of a blockage in its flow. Acupuncturists unblock meridians and restore health by stimulating specific parts of the body using needles which are sometimes heated or electrified with a low-voltage current. The technique may be augmented with massages or herbal treatments.
The scientific explanation is more prosaic. While they are still not completely sure about how the treatment works, scientists believe that it encourages the body to release opioids and other natural chemicals that reduce pain, boost healing and stimulate feelings of well being.
Sticking needles into someone’s body may seem like a strange, even paradoxical, way of treating pain, but research has consistently shown that it works. One example is a clinical trial cited by the American National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Conducted on May 2009, it showed that acupuncture relieved chronic low back pain better than conventional treatments.
Over time, it has proved so effective that, in their clinical practice guidelines, the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society recommend it in cases where conventional treatments fail.
A survey carried out in 2007 showed that over three million Americans benefit from the ancient pain management technique every year. According to the John Hopkins web library, it is used by over 3,500 doctors and about 12,000 trained non-medical practitioners.
Side Effects and Risks
Generally, acupuncture is safe as long as it is conducted by a trained practitioner using sterilized needles. Insertion produces little or no pain. Very few adverse cases have ever been reported, and its record is far better than standard treatments that rely on drug injections. However, patients should only see an acupuncturist on the strength of a physician’s recommendation.
Finding an Acupuncturist
For many patients, seeking referrals from doctors or other health care providers is the easiest way to track down suitable practitioners. They can also ask their relatives, friends or other trustworthy people for a recommendation. The websites of many national acupuncture organizations are another useful source of referrals.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is proof that age-old methods of treating disease can still be relevant even in the twenty-first century.
