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According to a small National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) survey an estimated 10% of Americans have tried acupuncture, and of those who haven't, two-thirds would consider it. This means about 30 million Americans have tried acupuncture, which is amazing, considering acupuncture is only been in the U.S. for 30 years.
According to a 1998 survey of the literature published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Western medical doctors are most likely to refer patients for acupuncture (43%) than for chiropractic (40%) or massage (21%). Many MD's are aware of at least some of the science that supports and explains acupuncture.
Still, the 2004 USDH report shows that of the people who used an alternative medicine system (acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, or naturopathy), more people tried acupuncture than the other systems because their conventional medical professional suggested it. Acupuncture is accepted by western medicine.
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How does acupuncture work? |
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According to the classical doctrines of Chinese medicine, health is achieved through the harmonious balance between the opposing forces of Yin (spirit) and Yang (blood). Yin qualities are typically coldness, weakness, hollowness, and dark, while the opposite yang qualities are heat, strength, solidity, and light. The attraction between Yin and Yang creates a vital energy known as Qi (pronounce "chee") or Chi which flows to all parts of the body through 14 channels called meridians. The meridians cannot be seen by the naked eye, but modern science has shown that their existence can be detected electrically. Most of the meridians connect to one of the major internal organs, and the Qi power enables the organ to function effectively. When the energy flow is smooth and in balance, one is healthy. Any imbalance in those forces is believed to cause illness. For example, a person with a high fever, bright red cheeks, and intense headache would be someone with an excess of yang, while someone with symptoms of chronic fatigue, pallor, and cold limbs would have an excess of yin. Treatment, including acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal medicine, aim to restore the yin/yang balance.
To strengthen the flow of Qi, or remove blockages in the meridians, an acupuncturist inserts a number of tiny, sterile, flexible needles just under the skin at certain specific points (called acu-points) along the channels. There are four to five hundred named acu-points along the meridians, some of which are associated with specific internal organs or organ systems. If you are suffering from nausea, for example, needles might be inserted into acu-points on your wrist, while a vision problem might be treated with needles in the foot. (Additional ear, scalp, and hand points are also commonly used by some practitioners.) Acupuncture stimulates the body's internal regulatory system and nurtures a natural healing response. |
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A large body of evidence is accumulating indicating that acupuncture leads to real physiologic changes in the body. Numerous studies have shown, for example, that inserting needles into the skin stimulates nerves in the underlying muscles. This stimulation, researchers feel, sends impulses up the spinal cord to a relatively primitive part of the brain known as the limbic system, as well as to the midbrain and the pituitary gland. Somehow that signaling leads to the release neurotransmitters, primarily endorphins, which are the body's pain relievers, the same chemical that produces a sense of relaxation.
 Studies showed that the brain's endorphin had doubled a half hour after acupuncture treatment. The release of painkilling endorphins play a big role in the functioning of the hormonal system. This is why acupuncture works well for headache, neck pain, back pain and arthritis. Endorphin release through acupuncture not only relaxes the whole body but also regulate serotonin in the brain. This is why depression is often effectively treated with acupuncture.
In one study, researchers using brain scans discovered that acupuncture can alter blood circulation within the brain, increasing the blood flow to the thalamus, the area of the brain that relays pain and other sensory messages.
Hundreds of studies are now ongoing in the United States and elsewhere seeking to prove the usefulness of acupuncture for various ailments.
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Conditions Effectively Treated By Acupuncture |
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 In early November, 1997, a consensus panel convened by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) concluded that there is clear evidence that acupuncture treatment is effective for postoperative chemotherapy nausea and vomiting, nausea of pregnancy, and postoperative dental pain. The panel also concluded that acupuncture may be an effective therapy for addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, low-back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma. Succeeding the NIH Statement on Acupuncture is the World Health Organization's 2002 Review of Randomized Controlled Acupuncture Trials. They grouped their results this way:
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28 diseases for which acupuncture is undoubtedly effective
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63 diseases for which acupuncture has been shown effective but more proof is needed
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9 diseases Western medicine can't treat well (proof is weak but acupuncture is worth trying), and
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7 diseases in which acupuncture could be tried if the practitioner has sufficient medical knowledge and equipment.
Bellow is a list of conditions that can be effectively treated with acupuncture
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What to expect when your first visit an acupuncturist? |
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 Your first visit starts with an extensive interview and history with a physical exam. The diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine include mainly the four techniques of diagnosis, namely, inspection, listening, inquiring, and pulse-taking. You will be asked questions relating to your medical history and perhaps that of your immediate family. Lifestyle questions regarding such matters as your dietary habits, sleep patterns, exercise regime and stress levels will also be put to you, to ensure that a holistic approach is taken.
The physical exam is unique. The feel of the pulses and the appearance of the tongue, eyes and face are invaluable aids to diagnosis; all give insight into the condition of the internal organs, the flow of internal energy in the meridians and the balance of yin and yang in the body. The first visit usually takes about one hour including the treatment time. Subsequent visits last from 40 to 50 minutes.
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The treatment involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into appropriate acupuncture points along the energy pathways as well as the use of other techniques such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupressure (medical massage), and electrical stimulation.
Most patients find the treatment very relaxing, which brings on a feeling of well-being. As a sign of obtaining the vital energy, some patients may have a slight sensation of soreness, numbness, distention, or heaviness around the needles.
The beneficial reaction usually starts during the first four or five visits. Some patient feel the effect even after the first visit. Nevertheless, just like any other medical treatment, not all diseases can be cured. However, there is no harmful effect from the therapy in common practice. Therefore, people who suffer from lingering or chronic diseases and do not respond well to orthodox medicine are particularly encouraged to try this promising Chinese art of healing.
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How many treatments will you need? |
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The total number of treatments required to effect change in a condition varies dependent upon the disease, and it's severity, the duration of the illness, the frequency of the treatments and the patients themselves. Each person is unique. The acupuncture treatment is based on an individualized pattern diagnosis as well as a disease diagnosis. Therefore, the treatment plan is individualized. A s a rough guideline, a course of treatment, usually takes ten sessions, more or less is needed to get the best therapeutic result.
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 As for the frequency, acute cases should be treated daily for a few days, then in prolonged intervals. However, chronic cases usually need two or three visits per week.
Few more treatments at a week intervals followed a course treatment is recommended to prevent recurrence.
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 Service the San Francisco Bay Area since 1994. Voted the best acupuncturist in Sunnyvale!  |
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Many people would like to try acupuncture but are put off because they assume it will be painful and may feel that it takes a great deal of courage to 'inflict' the needles on themselves. Actually, the acupuncture needles have no resemblance to hypodermic syringes. Acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin. At least 15 needles can fit into one conventional hypodermic needle! Also, the acupuncture needles have a doweled end, not a cutting end like most hypodermic needles, and therefore are far less likely to cause tissue damage or bruising when inserted.
Acupuncture needles are gently placed at the specific gateways of the body. Some people feel a sting when an acupuncture needle is inserted but not real pain. It is interesting that, sometimes, patients ask, with eyes closed and teeth clenched, "When are you going to put the needles in"?, and they are often surprised to learn that the needles are in place already. 
