LIBRARY
Handouts
|
|
Acupuncture
"Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture's value to expand its use into conventional medicine and to encourage further studies of its physiology and clinical value"
National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement on Acupuncture 1997
Acupuncture is an ancient healing art, practiced in the Far East for thousands of years, and, possibly in Europe and the West over 5,000 years ago in the Bronze Age. In its most essential form, it consists of the insertion of extremely fine needles into various points on the body. This is designed to balance the energetics of the body, to unblock the flow of Qi (pronounced chee), and to relieve pain and dysfunction.
The concept of Qi is central: this loosely translates as animating energy or motive force, that "stuff' that enlivens us, that is necessary for our various functions, such as respiration, digestion, circulation, reproduction, thought, action, and so on.
If there is blockage of the free flow of Qi, then by definition there is pain. If there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang (think of these as two sides of the same coin!), then there is disharmony, manifesting as disease (dis-ease).
The acupuncture needles are placed at specific points, usually along various meridians, which are conceptualized as channels through which Qi normally flows freely: think of the acupuncture points as spigots or valves through which one can affect this flow, and re-balance and redirect it.
From a Western scientific perspective, we know that acupuncture affects many systems: nervous, circulatory, immune, neuro-endocrine, and others. We know the needles cause release of many different neurotransmitters (chemicals which transfer information within the body). More traditional treatments can also produce similar benefit with nutrition, supplements and activity.
(www.betterbodybrightermind.com).
The needles used are not like those used for injections: they are solid, very fine and flexible, and are usually not felt as they penetrate the skin. Often patients experience a brief sensation of warmth, aching, or electricity as the needle is inserted from a few millimeters to over an inch (depending on the area of the body). This sensation is described in the acupuncture literature as De Qi (duh chee), or the "grasping" or "arrival" of the Qi. In other words, it's a good thing! Treatments consist of placing one or several needles, depending on the condition of the patient and the style of the acupuncturist: there are many different types of acupuncture, developed in many different cultures, all with distinct styles and advantages. Treatments generally last from 20 to 60 minutes, and the patient rests quietly with the needles in place.
The National Institutes of Health in 1997 stated that acupuncture was effective in "post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and vomiting and in postoperative dental pain. There are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma for which acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or be included in a comprehensive management program." The World Heath Organization has an even more extensive list of over 100 indications for acupuncture, including ear, nose and throat disorders, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, gynecological conditions, eye disorders, neurological and muscular disorders. In addition, acupuncture is also used to treat sports injuries, stress (functional) illnesses, and to assist in withdrawal from addictions. In the treatment of emotional problems, acupuncture therapy can support and enhance counseling.
ACUPUNCTURE Q & A
Does it hurt? This is probably the most common question people have about acupuncture. Individual responses vary widely, as with any experience, but the simple answer is that most people don't feel much pain with treatment. There are definitely some sensations (see next section), but mostly not pain.
What sensations will I feel? Generally two sensations occur during a treatment. During the initial insertion of the needle most people feel little or no sensation. If they feel something it is usually a quick minor pinch-like feeling. The second sensation after the needle is in is usually a feeling of tingling numbness, heaviness, ache or warmth. Sometimes there are sensations felt in other parts of the body when the needles are in place.
How long does the treatment take? Generally a treatment will last 20 to 45 minutes. However, because acupuncture has been around well aver 4,000 years, quite a number of different approaches have evolved. As a result, you may find differences between practitioners ranging from very brief insertion times to treatments lasting over an hour.
How soon win I notice a difference? Everyone is different. Depending on your individual situation you might notice improvement starting after the first treatment, or it may take five to ten treatments before you see a change. Commonly it takes anywhere from five to fifteen treatments to complete a full course. Sometimes these need to be repeated depending on the response.
Are the needles sterile? Yes. In the U.S., virtually everyone uses pre-sterilized, single use, disposable needles. These are used once and disposed of immediately.
Is there anything on the needles? No. The needles used in acupuncture are sterile surgical stainless steel. Their action is one of stimulating the body's own natural healing process, not introducing other substances.
How many treatments will I need? Response times vary among people and with different techniques. Generally you will have five to fifteen treatments for a particular problem.
Luo Vessels and Points
The luo point encourages nourishment of all tissues and assures a balanced flow of blood and energy (Qi). Reserve energy is stored in the Luo point for instantaneous application to deficiency states in principal meridians. The Luo point gives rise to the Luo vessel system which acts in the energetic sphere much as capillaries in the cardiovascular system. The diffuse and ubiquitous nature of Luo vessels makes their mapping and delineation impossible. Some effects of Luo points and vessels include:
-
Supplying nourishing energy through alternate pathways
-
Mesenchymal system access
-
Extracellular matrix access
-
Stimulating energy flow through obstruction
-
Balancing energy in disturbed equilibrium
For the purposes of laser energy inputs we will consider 22 points that include some of the classical Luo points and some additions from fresh insight.
-
Gall bladder (37)
-
Stomach (40)
-
Kidney 5 (classically 4)
-
Bladder (58)
-
Stomach (11)
-
Stomach (30)
-
Urinary bladder (44)
-
Urinary bladder (28)
-
Liver (5)
-
Spleen (4)
-
Autoimmune point (north of bladder 40)
-
Joints
-
Lymph
-
CX 6 (Master of the Heart 6)
-
Lung (7)
-
Triple Heater (5)
-
Large Intestine (6)
-
Small intestine (7)
-
Heart (5)
-
Heavy metal points (x2) {liver 10 zone}
-
Ear lobes
-
Spinal somatotopic area of ear
|
|
|
