Acupuncture - Types, Benefits, Complications, and Precautions

What Is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice in which small needles are inserted into certain places on the body to promote the body's natural healing processes. The practice is founded on the notion that the body contains vital energy, or "qi," and that disruptions or imbalances in this energy can cause illness or discomfort. Acupuncture practitioners try to balance the energy flow and promote healing by putting needles into precise places throughout the body's energy channels, or meridians.

Acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including pain, anxiety, melancholy, sleeplessness, and infertility. It is frequently utilized alongside traditional Chinese medicinal practices such as herbal medicine, nutritional treatment, and massage. While acupuncture is frequently connected with traditional Chinese medicine, it has acquired recognition and popularity in many Western countries. It is now regarded as a mainstream medical practice in many world areas.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

• Acupuncture is an effective treatment for treating chronic pain. Recent studies state that acupuncture treats chronic pain like chronic headaches, osteoarthritis (the most frequent type of arthritis), shoulder pain, and back and neck pain.

• The acupuncture points stimulate the central nervous system and release chemicals into muscles, the spinal cord, and the brain during the acupuncture procedure.

• These biological changes in the central nervous system stimulate the body to heal and promote physical and mental health.

• It also deals with other medical conditions like fertility treatment and menstrual cramps.

• Acupuncture is safe if it is done correctly.

What Are the Principles of Acupuncture?

The following are the principles of acupuncture:

• Make sure that the technique is correct.

• Check for the vital things.

• Know about internal-external conditions.

• Find the condition excess or deficient.

• Read about hot and cold conditions.

What Are the Different Types of Acupuncture and How Do They Work?

There are eight different types of acupuncture techniques:

1. Type 1 -Traditional Chinese acupuncture.

2. Type 2 - Japanese acupuncture.

3. Type 3 - Korean hand therapy.

4. Type 4 - Auricular acupuncture.

5. Type 5 - Scalp acupuncture.

6. Type 6 - Cupping therapy.

7. Type 7 - Electro acupuncture.

8. Type 8 - Moxibustion acupuncture.

Type 1 - Traditional Chinese Acupuncture :

• Traditional Chinese acupuncture examines the body's functions internally and externally at all meridian points. This technique focuses on one part of the body, alleviating back pain.

• This technique helps in managing health.

• It is also used to treat illnesses like depression, sleep problems, and severe headaches.

• As this technique produces stress in meridian points, it helps in sound sleep and treats painful headaches.

Type 2 - Japanese Acupuncture:

• This technique is gentle and painless.

• It treats the entire body.

• This technique uses fewer needles with shallow depth.

• This technique helps in treating stress at meridian points by releasing chemicals.

Type 3 - Korean Hand Therapy:

• This technique is performed by placing needle applicators.

• Insertion is achieved with twenty special hand needles.

• This technique helps relieve aches in the hands and other parts of the body.

Type 4 - Auricular Acupuncture:

• This technique uses the ear as a connecting point to the other parts of the body.

• The needle is inserted at the ear to trigger chemicals to destroy toxins.

• It helps in treating allergies and mood swings.

Type 5 - Scalp Acupuncture:

• This technique is similar to the auricular technique.

• The skin of the head is where the needle is inserted.

• This technique helps stimulate the brain cells and relax them.

• This technique is performed after a brain stroke or brain surgery therapy.

Type 6 - Cupping Therapy:

• Cupping therapy is performed with rubber or glass suctions to stimulate the blood flow at particular points of the body.

• It is performed with needle acupuncture, where the cups stay on the skin's surface.

• This technique helps in relieving muscle pain.

• It removes toxins in the blood flow.

• This technique is used mainly to treat blood poisoning, anemia, and high blood pressure.

Type 7 - Electro-Acupuncture:

• This technique is used to relieve chronic pain.

• The therapist gives current between two needle points with two clips and acupuncture needles.

• This technique improves the blood supply and triggers the body parts to relieve pain.

Type 8 - Moxibustion Acupuncture:

• This technique is traditional acupuncture, which uses heat.

• The therapist lights up the mugwort hub over the needle.

• It improves digestion and circulation.

• It treats pain, respiratory diseases, insomnia, and anxiety.

What Are the Top Benefits of Acupuncture?

1. Pain Management: Combining acupuncture with other therapies is a common way to manage different types of pain. Acupuncture is occasionally the only pain management method employed. Chronic lower back pain sufferers may find some alleviation from their discomfort with acupuncture. According to studies, using acupuncture in addition to traditional treatments may help reduce lower back pain more successfully than using traditional treatments separately.

2. Reducing Stress and Improving Mental Health: Acupuncture effectively reduces anxiety and enhances mental health. It releases tension and encourages calm by stimulating a wave of relaxation through its effect on the neurological system. Acupuncture can be a beacon of hope for those struggling with anxiety and depression or trying to recover from a traumatic experience.

3. Arthritis: Acupuncture can temporarily and permanently help people with knee osteoarthritis with the physical function of the knee, according to a review of several studies. The knee's connective tissue degrades as a result of this disorder. Additionally, this study discovered that acupuncture reduced knee discomfort in people with osteoarthritis, but this benefit was transient.

4. Headaches: Acupuncture has been extensively researched in treating headache pain, encompassing tension and migraine headaches. Research indicates that people who experience tension headaches, recurrent headache discomfort, or pressure may benefit from a minimum of six acupuncture treatments. This research also showed that acupuncture combined with pain medication reduced headache frequency compared to individuals receiving medicine alone.

5. Recovery from Addiction and Substance Abuse: Acupuncture is an essential component of addiction treatment, enhancing traditional methods of treating alcohol, nicotine, and opiate dependence. Its unique focus on both the physiological and psychosocial dimensions of addiction distinguishes it from other therapeutic approaches. Acupuncture physiologically modifies neurotransmitters, reducing cravings and symptoms associated with withdrawal. Moreover, it improves autonomic balance, which lessens tension and anxiety.

6. Better-Quality Sleep:When treating those with trouble falling or staying asleep, acupuncture has shown great promise. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, which provide relaxation and lower anxiety levels, by acting on specific acupoints. This relaxing impact is crucial in preparing the body for a good night's sleep.

7. Enhanced Digestive Health:Acupuncture provides focused therapy for various diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, gastritis, and chronic constipation or diarrhea, by focusing on particular digestive acupoints.

8. Hormonal Balance and Women's Health:Hormonal imbalances may appear like an endless struggle for many women. Because it restores balance and lessens the upsetting consequences of hormone swings, acupuncture has promise in treating these conditions. Acupuncture plays a crucial part in the quest for conception, from enhancing monthly regularity to providing priceless assistance on the route to fertility. For patients with complicated illnesses like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), acupuncture provides a holistic and natural approach to treatment.

9. Skin Wellness:Cosmetic acupuncture, or facial acupuncture, is employed to enhance the appearance of the cervical, head, and face skin.

10. Complementary Medicine in Cancer Treatment:While navigating cancer treatment can be extremely difficult, acupuncture can be a comforting aid. It reduces fatigue, helps with pain management, and relieves the negative effects of chemotherapy. Its emotional support can also be consoling for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

11. Alleviates Nerve Pain:Damage to the nerves may be the source of neuropathic pain, frequently resulting in alterations to the central nervous system. Acupuncture increases blood flow to repair damaged nerves. Even after several clinical trials, questions persist about the safety and efficacy of acupuncture for nerve pain.

What Are the Side Effects of Acupuncture?

The side effects of acupuncture vary from person to person; some might have mild effects and

may experience short-term effects. The side effects are as follows:

• It may cause bleeding on the skin at the needle-punctured points.

• It leads to drowsiness.

• It induces pain at the needle-punctured site.

• Sometimes, it worsens the pre-existing symptoms.

• It might make the person faint after the acupuncture procedure.

What Are the Precautions to Be Followed During Acupuncture?

Before deciding to have acupuncture therapy, explain to the therapist about other medical conditions such as:

• History of seizures.

• Pregnancy.

• Bleeding disorder.

• Infections or skin disorders.

• If any usage of alcohol or drugs mention it to a therapist before the procedure.

• If using a pacemaker.

How to Prepare for Acupuncture?

Acupuncture treatments do not need any additional preparation beforehand.

Selecting a Professional:

Follow these steps to select an acupuncturist -

• Request recommendations from people one trusts.

• Verify the credentials and training of the practitioner.

• Speak with the practitioner. Inquire about the course of treatment, the likelihood that it would improve the problem, and the associated costs.

• Find out if the insurance covers the procedure.

• Inform the physician of one's thoughts about trying acupuncture. He or she can suggest an acupuncturist or provide one with information regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating the ailment.

How Long Does Acupuncture Last?

Although certain sessions may be substantially shorter, an acupuncture treatment can last up to 60 minutes. One or two weekly treatments are part of a standard treatment regimen for a specific ailment. The ailment's severity will determine how many treatments are necessary. Typically, six to eight treatments are given.

What to Expect During the Acupuncture Procedure?

The acupuncture procedure consists of three phases, during which the patient may experience pain and discomfort:

• Needle Insertion - Acupuncture needles are strategically placed throughout the body at different depths. Because the needles are so small, there is typically minimal discomfort during insertion. Many times, people have no sensation like they are placed. The needle may provide a slight aching feeling when it gets to the right depth.

• Needle Manipulation - After the needles are inserted, the practitioner may rotate them gently or reposition them, or they may deliver heat or brief electrical pulses.

• Needle Removal - The needles are usually left in place for ten to fifteen minutes. The process of getting rid of the needles normally causes no pain.

Mention any discomfort during the procedure to the acupuncture practitioner. He will provide comfort to some extent by reducing the duration of the procedure.

After the procedure, a few people feel relaxed, and a few people will feel energized. However, only some people react well to acupuncture. Acupuncture might not be suitable for some people if the symptoms fail to improve after a few weeks. It is advised to consult a healthcare provider for the health conditions.

Conclusion:

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese technique. According to previous research, the primary objective of acupuncture is to restore health and balance by manipulating the flow of Qi in unseen, head-to-toe pathways known as meridian points, which are different from physical features like blood arteries and nerves. Acupuncture is an effective technique if it is done correctly.