Ancient but Still Alive
The Inner Classic of the Yellow Emperor is the Source of all Chinese Medical Theory. Complied by unknown authors between 300 and 100 B.C., it is the oldest of the Chinese medical texts. Acupuncture was introduced to Korea and Japan during the period 420-589 A.D. The first book about acupuncture, translated into Dutch and Latin, appeared in the West during the 15th Century.
Europeans, most notably the French, have been involved in acupuncture therapy for the last 300 years.
Acupuncture has been known in the United States for hundreds of years as well. Benjamin Franklin, during his career as Ambassador to France in 1781, received acupuncture treatments and even did experiments with it. After Nixon visited China in 1972, widespread interest in this healing art was revived in the United States.
Will it hurt?
An acupuncture needle is very fine, with a tapered point that parts the skin rather than cutting the tissue. There are usually some sensations of energy movement, but not pain. Most people fall asleep when left with the needles, and wake refreshed and relaxed. The duration of the treatment is 30 min. to 1 hr. The number of treatments varies according to the condition. Acute problems may respond with just a few treatments. A chronic problem that you have had for years may require a longer series of treatments. Treatments are usually once or twice a week.
Acupuncture is a very safe system of health care when done by a well trained practitioner. It is a gentle and drug free therapy for acute and chronic physical complaints, mental or emotional stress. It can be helpful for people of all ages.
All needles are sterile and disposable, practitioner’s hands are washed thoroughly between patients, and office hygiene principles are carefully observed.
Acupuncture therapy may be used along with other types of medical care to great advantage. For example, it has been used for pain control after other medical procedures, to improve healing and to lessen the side effects of drugs.
Acupuncture is highly recommended as a preventive therapy to correct minor imbalances before they become severe. If an imbalance can be detected before symptoms occur, and balance is restored, the patient need not suffer illness. Integrated with good nutrition, regular exercise, adequate rest and spiritual nourishment, acupuncture offers an excellent path to the maintenance of optimum health.Acupuncture has also been proven very effective for chronic pain management. It also speeds up the body’s healing ability to recover from illness or post surgery.
Acupuncture Therapy, is a procedure that places tiny needles into proper acupoints along the meridians, helps regulate the body’s energy flow, which alleviates energy blockages and allows the body to regain a state of balance, physical, emotional and spiritual.
Modern scientific research has proven that these needles, placed in the body, will stimulate the nervous system to release pain-killing and inflammation-reducing substances to the blood circulation. Pain, swelling, and inflammation in the body can be relieved and immunological function can be enhanced to better resist bacterial and viral infections.
An acupuncturist analyzes the individual client’s energy patterns and uses needles and herbs to bring them into harmony. The well-balanced, freely circulating energy creates an environment in which the body, mind and spirit can heal itself.
Acupuncture therapy has wide applications. The world health organization has officially recognized acupuncture as suitable for the treatment of more than two hundred common clinical disorders. These would include: Gastrointestinal disorders, urogenital disorders, gynecological problems, muscle and joint pain, respiratory problems, circulatory disorders, immune system disorders, endocrine disorders, neurological disorders, headache, emotional problems, addictions, pediatrics, and supportive therapy dealing with chronic pain, basic energy enhancement and harmony.
