What is Acupuncture?
Practiced in Asia for over 1,000 years, acupuncture is an ancient healing method and part of Chinese traditional medicine. The core belief of the practice is that health is based on energy flow in the body and disease results when that flow is blocked. This energy is often known as qi, and its flow is restored by stimulating the body's energy channels, called meridians, with fine needles inserted at different points in the body that connect to those meridians. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, there are between 14 and 20 of these channels, and over 2,000 points on the body that can reach them. Once energy begins flowing again, the balance of the body's yin and yang, the passive and active forces inside everyone, creates improved health. In America, acupuncture started being recognized in 1971, and today's version has roots in primarily in Chinese, Japanese and Korean traditions.
How Often Is the Practice Used?
Results of the 2007 National Health Interview Survey showed that acupuncture was used by 3.1 million American adults and 150,000 American children. Because there are relatively few side effects of the practice, it was reportedly used to treat chronic pain and many other ailments, at times in conjunction with traditional Western healing techniques and in consultation with a doctor. NCCAM is conducting more studies to investigate the way the brain functions during acupuncture treatments, to find out acupuncture's affect on specific conditions, including headaches, lower back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee, and to discover the neurological properties of points and meridians.
Is Acupuncture Dangerous?
Though few complications of acupuncture are reported, infection and punctured organs can result from improper formation of the techniques. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates the use of needles and sets guidelines for sterilization. Needles must be sterile, nontoxic and labeled for single use by a qualified practitioner. Injection areas should also be swabbed with alcohol before needles are inserted. Additionally, needles are hair-thin, and most people report little to no pain involved in procedures. Reactions to individual treatments range from feeling relaxed to energized. Individuals interested in acupuncture should always consult their regular physicians before any procedures are done.
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