What is Acupuncture
Before Western Medicine came into China from the beginning of the 19th Century, Chinese traditional medicine was the only treatment known by people. Acupuncture was an important and effective therapy. Owning a history of more than 2000 years, Chinese acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that has been practiced since the Warring States Period (BC 475 - BC 221). Chinese acupuncture treatment is based on the theory of energy, called chi (say "chee"), flows through and around human body along pathways called meridians.
Acupuncturists believe that illness occurs when something blocks or unbalances chi inside human body. Acupuncture is a way to unblock or influence chi and help it flow back into balance. The acupuncture treatment is done by putting some thin needles into skin at certain acupoints on human body. These needles influence energy flow and smooth the energy balance.
To find the places to access the chi that is blocked or not flowing right. Acupuncturists always ask questions about where do the patients feel uncomfortable, where do they use their muscle most frequently, to decide where to place and how deep to place the needles.
What does it feel like
Acupuncture treatment gives the skin slight pressure when a needle goes in. Seldom patients feel painful during the treatment. Actually tingle, numb, itch, or even a little sore are the common feelings when patients are receiving acupuncture treatment, that’s all normal signs showing the energy flow, or chi, has been accessed. After the needle is placed, Acupuncturists may roll the needle slightly back and forth. For the modern acupuncture, some other therapy may be added such as heat or electrical on the needle.
Traditional Chinese people used to go to acupuncturist to relieve pain and treat certain health conditions. Actually, modern studies have proved that acupuncture could be used to treat nausea and vomiting related to pregnancy, chemotherapy, and post surgery pain.
When needles penetrate human skin, nobody could be sure that the treatment is without any risk, although in fact Injuries are rare among patients treated by trained practitioners in some countries. As a kind of seemed “dangerous” therapy especially among Western World, Acupuncture is not totally received by some countries. For example in US, needles are required by law to be sterile, disposable and used only once. Some other countries allow needles to be reused if they are sterilized in autoclave.