Medical Acupuncture

Many people shy away from trying acupuncture because they don't know how it works, there's no visible proof. Even though acupuncture doesn't require taking a pill or being injected with medicine, it does have positive effects on many people. The human body has approximately 800 to 1000 acupuncture points (Dr. Michael). These points were found through ancient Chinese medicine theories and are where the needles are inserted into the body. Each point has a specific purpose and name. These points lie on one of the body’s fourteen meridians which run from head to toe and connect to the body’s organ systems (Dr. Dorel). The body is a matrix of electromagnetic energy which flows through the fourteen meridians (Acupuncture). Acupuncture works through these organ systems and meridians.

Throughout the years there have been two traditions within the practice of medicine. One is the 'art of healing ' which involves its own specialised brand of training. The art of healing is dependent on the prescriber 's foreknowledge and the clients’ viewpoint of the prosperous results. The 'Science of healing ' is based on scientific and technological ideas. This tradition results in a lower liability for practitioners regarding the showing of an original approach to medicine, however the results of this method are more calculable (Kayne 2002). It is believed that the tradition of the ‘art of healing’ is increasing in popularity. The World Health Organisation states ' 'that the terms ' 'complementary medicine ' ' or ' 'alternative medicine’ ' are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country 's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system” (World Health Organization 2000). This type of treatment, is commonly known as ‘Complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). The word complementary derives from the meaning ‘together with’ established practices and the word alternative refers to ‘in place’ of established practices. Some patients choose to participate in complementary therapies along with the medication prescribed by their general practitioner whilst others prefer complementary therapies as opposed to the medications

Many people will experience many physical factors such as pain and mobility problems, some individuals may feel that it’s best to take orthodox medicines which are the best pain relief or option for them, this includes treatments such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. However, some people might have side effects from medicines, therefore they choose to have alternatives, such as, massage and acupuncture. This means that pain can be taken away without any side

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 is a complementary therapy offered by the NHS however it has limited access. This means that only a small amount of service users receive the treatment and when they do they may not be offered many sessions. If a service users is

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).

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, Fellowship Director, Arizona Center For Integrative Medicine explains how we want to expose clinicians to a broader way of seeing the patient a deeper understanding of healing and a larger toolbox from which to choose for therapies. She talks about how if patients were treated with different procedures such as acupuncture or holistic healing, we as consumers would not have to pay out so much on treatment. Procedures such as these would actually benefit us because we would not need to see doctors nearly as much as we do now, because we would not be “treating” the diseases with chemicals (pharmaceutical drugs) which have many side effects. Also, the pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies would never let this happen because then they would be out of money because people would not have to see their doctors nearly as much in hence means that these “cattle runners” would not be making the money they are.

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.

(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 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

Ten’s of millions of dollars have been poured into research for this treatment, and yet all have come back with virtually insignificant results. All of the participants, control group as well as those who received the treatment, reported almost the same about of pain relief. Harriet Hall, an ex-physician and noted critic of CAM, had this to say: “ We have no evidence that acupuncture is anything more than theatrical placebo,” ( Interlandi 24 ). Although placebo is often seen as bad or ineffective experience in medicine and studies, it could be used as a treatment all of it’s own. As a placebo is where the brain is “tricked” into believing the body is undergoing effects that, in reality, it is not. In simply reshaping the reality of some patients situations, they can be healed ( Benedetti 22 ). The human mind is a complex system that controls more body functions than we are aware of in many cases. If a patient believes that they will never get better, treatment can only do so much, there must be belief and treatment before the patient can become well ( Chandler np

Today 's modern health care is ever evolving in its approach to health and care of a patient revolves around being culturally and ethnically competent in their treatment. In the United States (US), the growing aging population, brings an increasing public awareness of the major risk factors that are contributing to chronic illness. The availability of knowledgeable healthcare practitioners is also growing to meet the needs of this growing population. Complementary alternative medicine (CAM) is aimed to provide a multidisciplinary and educational health care experience. In this project, it will be explained about being culturally and ethnically competent and the use of alternative medicine as an adjunct therapy or a

Conventional treating of patients is not always the best treatment; there are routes a provider can explore to assist in the overall health and wellbeing of the patient. Complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) is the other route for the patient. Each of these modalities can produce a healing effect or relief from an ailment that will have an effect in a positive manner on the quality of life. Too many times patients become settled or complacent in his or her disease process and never look into the other routes.

the polar opposite, represents warm and hot energies. The needles which are used to provide treatment are very tiny and are one time use only. Each needle comes in a sterile package ready for use. Acupuncture is believed to create energy balances and to remove negative blockages from the body. These negative blockages are what create diseases.