What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a mode of treatment in oriental medicine used independently or alongside other modes like herbology (treatment by consuming herbs-like in Ayurveda) and Chi-Kung (oriental therapeutic set of exercises prescribed for various ailments).
The bases of acupuncture is to achieve homeostasis in the body by balancing the Yin & Yang energies and the 5 elements namely Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. This is achieved by regulating the flow of Qi (pronounced as Chi,) the life force energy, flowing through the body. This Qi runs along channels called meridians with each meridian corresponding to the organ it supplies. The meridians from the western perspective could be viewed as running somewhat parallel to the nerves.
Regulating the flow of Qi in the body causes certain biochemical and hormonal changes which ultimately leads to homeostasis or restoration of balance in the energy system.
How is a diagnosis done in acupuncture
The therapist would assess your problem by various means beginning with taking down your main complaints and a detailed medical history from both western and oriental medicine perspective. This is followed by a thorough examination which involves examining the problem area, looking at your tongue, face and an elaborate pulse examination. Any medical investigations, tests, reports are also taken into consideration.
What does a typical acupuncture session look like
The treatment involves inserting needles at certain points on the body to regulate the flow of Qi. The needles are left in for anywhere between 15 to 20 minutes. Needling is not the only way treatment is done. There other modalities that could be used before or after the needling, like Moxibustion or Cupping.
Moxibustion involves stimulating the flow of energy by giving warmth to the acupuncture points by means of a burning stick of herb (mugwort- artemisia vulgaris).
Cupping is the use of vacuum cups on certain parts of the body to move the stagnant blood and energy. Cups are anchored onto the body part by sucking out the air from the cup to create a vacuum.
Do the acupuncture needles hurt
The acupuncture needles might vary in their length and thickness. But, they are as thin as the hair on our head. In the expert hand of an acupuncturist, there is practically no chance of feeling the needle being inserted or manipulated.
What to expect after a session
The results may differ from person to person and their condition. In general one would feel relaxed or energized or might not feel anything at all immediately after the session.
Conditions that can be treated with acupuncture
Following is an elaborate list (but not restricted to) of conditions that can be treated with acupuncture either independently or in conjunction with other treatments.
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Spondylitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Arthritis: Osteo/ Rheumatoid / Gout / Psoriatic
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Tennis Elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Soft Tissue injuries
- Dental Pain after surgery
- Stroke recovery
- Migraine
- Vertigo
- Paraparesis, Quadriparesis
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Parkinson’s / Parkinsonism, Ataxia and other movement disorders
- Neuropathy- Diabetic/Alcoholic/Toxic
- Bell’s Palsy / Facial Palsy
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Spasticity
- Asthma
- COPD
- Bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Lung Fibrosis
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo due to ear canal dysfunction
- Hearing loss
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Hernia
- Kidney Dysfunction- ARF / CRF
- Fatty Liver, Hepatomegaly, Cirrhosis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic Constipation
- Gastritis, Colitis
- Leaky Gut
- Piles / Hemorrhoids
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cardiac Illness
- Obesity
- Addiction
- Substance abuse
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Infertility- Male / Female
- Female Painful Menstruation PCOD/PCOS
- Amenorrhoea/ Dysmenorrhoea
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Male Prostatitis Impotence Erectile dysfunction
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Skin allergies
- Vitiligo
- Moles, Warts
- Non healing skin lesions/ ulcers
Orthopedic/ Musculoskeletal
Acupuncture has been known to have excellent results in pain management.Any kind of aches and pains arising due to injury, wrong postures or systemic disorders affecting the joints. Acupuncture is used as a primary therapy or an adjunct with other treatments for resolving the symptomatic pain arising out of the conditions as well as treating the condition from the roots.
Neurological Conditions:
Acupuncture has been found to be effective in most of the acute and chronic neurological conditions in controlling the symptoms to complete cure.