Acupuncture - How Does It Work?The acupuncture theory is based on the belief that energy, qi, circulates into our bodies through twelve different vessels or energy lines, meridians, which are associated with different organ system. An ailment or illness starts because of the imbalance in the flow of energy or qi, right through the meridian. An acupuncturist has to learn about these pathways and the technique of maintaining the balance in all parts of the body. An example of symptom of allergy is runny nose, itchy and eyes and swollen sinusitis. In acupuncture therapy, the treatment would be along the meridians leading towards the liver and large intestine, beside the traditional herbal cure. Similarly, a common cold symptom would be treated along the points for bladder and stomach. These proficient acupuncturists treat these ailments by inserting needles along the specified points meridian lines, in order to bring back the flow of energy/qi. Our body contains more than 1000 acupuncture points.
Acupuncture: Treatment and Working
The acupuncturist takes the detailed health view of the patients, including their lifestyle, sleep patterns, usual body temperature, moods and stress, anxiety, specifications in tastes and food intakes, menstrual cycle, emotions and seasons. He also notes down the colour of face, tongue and eyes during this session. In order to assess the strength of 12 meridians the acupuncturist examines the three points of pulse on the wrist.
After this initial examination, the ailment is diagnosed and treatment begins. Generally, 6-12 needles are used during the treatment, but you must be aware of the fact that larger number of needles does not signify the intensity of the illness. What actually is important is the proper placement of the needles on the specific points. When needle is being inserted, the patient may feel a slight prick. The best part of the treatment is that it is a painless process, in which you do not feel the needles once after the insertion. If any sort of numbness or pans is felt, you must inform your acupuncturist. The length of the treatment varies from a few seconds up to an hour, depending on the type of treatment and being given to you. Usually, duration of a session is up to 20 to 30 minutes. There are different techniques that your acupuncturist may use during the treatment:
- Moxibustion: In acupuncture, the needles are heated with burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate the process of healing and warm the point we focus on. Another name for moxibustion is moxa. - Cupping: glass cups are applied to create suction on the skin, in order to relieve the inactivity of qi and blood. This technique is used mainly for sports injuries. - Herbal Medicine: as mentioned before, certain Chinese herbs are given to the patients, in different forms like tea, pills or capsules in order to enhance the treatment of acupuncture. - Electro stimulation: is used for relieving pains especially that of muscles. Through this technique the 2-4 needles are electrically stimulated, providing pain relief to the patient. - Laser Acupuncture: it is a new technique to stimulate the acupuncture points without using the needles.
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