Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy that is widely used today to treat a myriad of conditions from allergies to arthritis. The Chinese believe that there is energy or "Chi" flowing through the human body. They also believe that many illnesses are the result of the Chi being blocked or imbalanced. Acupuncture is believed to help unblock the Chi or restore the balance of Chi.
Most people know acupuncture as a therapy that involves placing thin needles into the body in key areas that are supposed to influence the flow of Chi within the body. However, there are other types of acupuncture. Other forms of acupuncture include using heat, massage or pressure or a very mild electrical current that can restore or rebalance the Chi.
Acupuncturist must be licensed in most states, however not all states require acupuncturists to be licensed. Acupuncture therapy is very safe for most people, but it is best to have received acupuncture therapy from a licensed therapist. It is also important that the acupuncturist chosen uses sterilized needles or disposable needles so as to reduce the risk of infection.
While patients can have acupuncture as their only form of treatment for many different conditions, usually patients have acupuncture treatment in combination with other more traditional treatments. Many doctors in the United States are now more accepting of the idea of alternative treatments such as acupuncture and see the benefits in using both western and eastern medicine to treat many different conditions.
Acupuncture treats painful conditions such as fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines and tennis elbow. Some patients also seek acupuncture therapy for asthma, stroke rehabilitation and others have used acupuncture treatment to help them quit smoking. Acupuncture therapy usually requires that a patient receive several acupuncture treatments and some patients have acupuncture therapy regularly as part of their health care routine and lifestyle.
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