Theories on the Effects of Acupuncture on the Nervous System

Acupuncture involves the pricking the skin or tissues with needles, at various trigger points. In a 2678 patient study, acupuncture compared with no treatment, achieved better outcomes in the relief of chronic back pain. The physiology of acupuncture is thought to stimulate the inflammatory reflex, and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway resulting in a decreased production of TNF, and ultimately, an inhibitory effect on inflammation.

People used to believe that acupuncture works by conserving and balancing the movement of Qi in the person’s body. Qi is basically an idea that is hard to interpret it to other people who do not have much of a grasp on it. It is usually associated with vital energy and has also been included with different western traditions of philosophy.

Acupuncture has been identified as a “method of preventing, diagnosing, and treating disease by inserting metal needles into the body at designated locations¬—acupuncture points— at various depths and angles” (Armstrong, 1972). This specific type of medical treatment was officially introduced to the United States in the 1800’s by Chinese immigrants, but was not properly recognized as a healing method until 1972. During that year President Nixon had traveled to China, where a local New York Times journalist had been treated with acupuncture to help him cope with the pain he had, after experiencing an emergency appendectomy (Updated Acupuncture Lecture, Slide 7). Even though it took years for acupuncture to become acknowledged in the Unites States,

Acupuncture involves “the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body” (Mayo). The idea of inserting needles into specific points in your body is to help realign the energy flow “Chi” (Mayo) in your body to

(2006) was conducted to observe patients with knee osteoarthristis and the safety and effectiveness between traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA), sham acupuncture, and conservative therapy. Sham acupuncture is needles being inserted at non acupuncture sites to make the patient think they are getting true acupuncture (Scharf et al., 2006). The study included 1007 participants who were at least 40 years old, had symptoms for the past 6 months of chronic knee pain, and given confirmation of osteoarthritis of the knee. The participants were randomly selected to one of the three groups: conservative therapy, traditional Chinese acupuncture, or sham acupuncture. Each group received six physiotherapy visits as well as their specific interventioin treatment (Scharf et al., 2006). The conservative treatment group contained 316 participants who received ten consultation visits to the practioners and given diclofenac or rofecoxibe as needed (Scharf et al., 2006). Throughout six weeks the TCA and sham acupuncture group received ten acupunture treatments both using the identical type of acupuncture needles. Diclofenac was also given to the particpants of the TCA and sham acupuncture group if their pain was not at a level of comfort. There were 326 particpants in the TCA group and 365 in the sham acupuncture group (Scharf et al., 2006). At the 13th and 26th week the Western Ontario and McMaster University Ostoarthririts Index (WOMAC) assessed pain and function. According to the WOMAC results, pain and function in the TCA and sham acupuncture group were more effective than conservative treatment (Scharf et al., 2006). The TCA and sham acupuncture group exhibited similar findings with no major differences (Scharf et al.,

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice, in which tiny filament needles are inserted at strategic points of the body to treat conditions ranging from headaches and neck pain to fibromyalgia. The needles provoke the release of endorphins and other hormones in the body; promoting enhanced circulation and a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation.

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical treatment for multiple issues, and is characterized by needles being strategically inserted into pressure points on the body to relieve symptoms. This is believed to reset you qi or life force within your body. This practice is carried out by acupuncturists all over the world. In western medicine, while we don’t know the exact mechanism of action, it is thought to increase blood flow and raise natural painkiller levels in the body. This rise in natural painkillers and increased blood flow are the major benefits of acupuncture. The risks are very few, there is a very limited chance of organ damage, infection, or soreness after a treatment (Mayo Clinic 2012).

Mechanoreception is a practice where mechanical sensations of touch reinforce the stimulation of mechanoreceptors applied affecting the body’s tissue. Equal parts of impulse effects of mechanoreceptor input can excite and inhibit functions. Acupuncture points are special sites with deeper sensory disbursement to different body parts and connective tissue. The insertion of a needle into these points acts as a mechanical stimulus that activates the mechanoreceptors and sends conduit (vessels) signals to the central nervous system (CNS), where pain is processed in the brain. Neurochemical processes of pain modulation are consequently activated, inducing acupuncture analgesia.

Whether you are a man or a lady, you manage hurts, agonies and disease now and again. Furthermore, you regularly look for outside guidance or medicine for how to beat visit inconvenience with the goal that you can carry on with a quiet life. In a period when stretch is bringing about a height in preventable ailment, individuals are looking out intends to normally diminish the measure of systems or pills that they would somehow or another be prescribed to take. Along these lines, an acupuncturist puts stock in the force of vitality pathways inside the human body that can ease torment. They get to these pathways with the shallow situation of needles into the dermis to discharge blocked vitality that they accept is creating the uneasiness, strain or agony in any case. Connected with Chinese pharmaceutical, it has been appeared to be

Have you ever thought about how acupuncture, the art of sticking needles into the skin, relieves pain and doesn’t cause it? If you have pain and resting or medication doesn’t fix it then maybe give acupuncture a try. Today I am going to inform you about acupuncture and its benefits. I personally have had acupuncture and have seen the benefits first hand. I used websites with information involving acupuncture and ancient Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture is gaining popularity as numerous claims are being made to its validity and effectiveness. Although many studies and experiments regarding acupuncture have been done, the scientific basis of the principles of this alternative approach still remains unclear (http://www.health.org/pubs/acu-nih.htm).

On a typical day, Jeff says he sees about 30 patients and they change around every 15 minutes. Everything in life is about balance. If you have a passion for something you must learn how to balance everything you’re doing and be sure you are doing it well. We were given a small history lesson about Western and Eastern medicine. In the chiropractic world, Western medicine (what we use in the U.S.) believes when something is in pain the reason for the pain is the general area of where the pain originates. Conversely, in Eastern medicine (used everywhere else in the world) believes that pain is caused in harmony with the body. For example, in Eastern medicine, if someone is having pain in their knee, a chiropractor approaches the treatment as if the pain were originating from the neck on down to the knee and even below the knee to the person’s feet. The second large topic of Jeff Varner’s speech was acupunture. Acupuncture is a system of medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles, used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Currently, an acupuncture is used to treat depression and stress. There are over 400 acupuncture sites located throughout the

Low back pain has been a major activity limitation for many people below the age of 45 years in the United States (Andersson, 1999). According to a study conducted in the U.S. in 1997, there are 54 percent patients that report back pain and using complementary therapy (Wolsko et al., 2003). Another survey conducted in 2002 indicated that while back pain led to most frequent patient visits to acupuncturists across U.S (Cherkin et al., 2002). Western countries still experience many case of chronic low back pain which can be attributable to high medical expenses, decline in productivity, as well as disability. There still exists a variety of standard treatments although some have not been cleared as affective. Acupuncture is a contemporary as well as alternative treatment strategy for patients wilt low back pains although there are questions from previous systematic reviews that were inconclusive on the results of acupuncture treatment strategy for low back pain. These statistics indicate a high level of public concern hence strengthening the relevance for asking whether acupuncture gives positive results in the treatment of back pain. Therefore this research seeks to gain evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the positive results of acupuncture in treatment of low back pain.

Acupuncture is the science of healing with needles through energy channels; it has a rich history and is now used around the world. The real question is, is acupuncture effective? How can we simply prove that sticking needles into a person’s body is actually taking away their pain or disease? How do we go from believing completely in Western Medicine to believing in Eastern Medicine? Although acupuncture is an Eastern form of healing, it has gained much credibility and respect in the West.

Melanie, my doctor, as she was inserting the needles in my stomach, arms, legs, and feet, she was telling me which meridian, which acupuncture point she was targeting, and with what purpose. In traditional Chinese medicine, your body is connected with Qi (energy of the universe), the meridians, yin and yang, nature etc. Click here if you would like to know more about Chinese medicine. I