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In the very early history China, it was discovered that applying pressure or
heat to certain areas of the body could treat various medical ailments. The
application of pressure using stones later translated into needles to
puncture the skin. Heat began to be applied using various means of burning
herbs. These two treatment methods developed into the systems of acupuncture
and moxibustion and were taught together as one school of medicine.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a therapy that involves inserting very fine needles into
various points on the body. The range of diseases and injuries which this
technique can treat are vast. It is quite safe and side effects are very
rare. Many people worldwide are taking advantage of this ancient technique
to improve and restore their health.
During a typical treatment, four to twenty needles are inserted into
specific areas on the body called points. These points cover the entire body
from the top of the head to the soles of the feet. Each point has a unique
function to affect the physiology of the body. The points most often used
are located on the forearms, hands, legs, and feet.
Acupuncture involves very little discomfort. The initial insertion of a
needle is often not felt at all. Once the needle is under the skin, there is
rarely any sharpness to be felt.
Many acupuncturists try to achieve a 'needling sensation' or de qi at the
site of insertion. This sensation is described by patients as a feeling of
numbness, heaviness, swelling, pressure, or tingling. Needling sensation is
most unlike the sharp feeling expected of a needle and most patients find
this sensation to be comforting and relaxing. The acupuncturist achieves
this sensation by gently rotating or moving the needle. The needling
sensation tends to diminish during treatment and the acupuncturist may
stimulate the needles to regain it.
The depth of needling varies depending on the tissue being worked on.
Obviously, needling in the hands is much shallower than needling done on the
thighs. On average, needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Needles are usually left in the body for 20 to 40 minutes. During treatment,
patients often become very relaxed and sometimes fall asleep. The patient
may be left to relax or other techniques such as moxibustion may be
employed.
The Needles
Modern-day acupuncture needles are disposable and packaged sterile.
Acupuncture needles are very fine (typically running from 0.20mm to 0.30mm
in size). Lengths range from 1/4 inch and up, with 1 inch needles being
standard. The needle shaft is very flexible making it very difficult to bend
or break. Needles are made from stainless steel.
Acupuncture Needles vs. Hypodermic Needles
When most of us think of needles, we think of injections, blood draws, etc.
The pain that is caused by these needles is due to the large size and hollow
shaft. The hollow needles cause the tissue to be torn by the needle on
insertion. With injections, most of the pain is caused when fluid is forced
into the tissue. The fluid pressure may be painful, but the chemical itself
can also cause pain.
Acupuncture needles have solid and very fine shafts which deliver no fluid.
The needles cause an imperceptible amount of damage to the tissue. It is
very rare that any bleeding or bruising will occur with acupuncture. The
insignificant amount of damage to the tissue results in minimal discomfort.
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a method of treatment involving the application of heat from
a burning herb. The herb most commonly used in moxibustion is mugwort (Ai Ye
or Moxa). This therapy is used by nearly all acupuncturists and is tied very
strongly with the history of acupuncture. Moxibustion is often used
simultaneously with acupuncture to enhance the work of the needles.
Moxibustion involves several techniques. Typically, it is burned in the form
of a stick similar to a cigar. This stick is held near acupuncture points to
stimulate them with heat. The moxa may also be burned directly on the body.
The burning moxa will usually have a medium of salt, ginger, etc. placed
between it and the skin. Moxa may also be placed directly on the needle and
burned to heat the needle shaft. The goal of each of these techniques is
similar; the technique used depends upon the location of treatment and
intensity of stimulation desired.
How Acupuncture and Moxibustion Work
The traditional Chinese medical system employs a theory that the body has an
energetic force, called 'qi' (pronounced 'chee'), which circulates about it.
This energy circulates in specific pathways, called meridians, which serve
to carry it in much the same way arteries and veins carry the blood. On
these meridians, points have been identified which affect the circulation of
qi in specific ways.
In traditional Chinese medicine, ailments happen when the circulation of
energy in the body becomes imbalanced. These imbalances can happen in many
different patterns and the acupuncturist seeks to identify the specific
imbalance and choose acupuncture points appropriate to correct it. The
acupuncture needles interact with the body's energy and facilitate its
movement towards proper balance to restore health.
Much scientific research has been applied to investigate the nature of qi
and the meridians. The acupuncture points have been demonstrated to have
electrical potentials which are different than other areas of the body. This
research has led us to understand that acupuncture has something to do with
electrical conduction in the body. The exact nature of this system is still
elusive and reasearch continues.
Research has also be done to investigate changes that occur in the body in
response to acupuncture treatment. There is solid evidence that endorphins,
the body's natural pain killers, are release as a result of treatment. This
does much to explain acupuncture's profound effect of relieving pain.
Changes in many other chemicals in the nervous system have also been seen.
These other changes may help to explain acupuncture's ability to the wide
variety of conditions that it does.
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Information resource:
http://www.acupuncturewashington.org/acupmoxa.htm |
