Nowadays Acupuncture Is Practiced In Conjunction With Conventional Medicine

For more than 5000 year Chinese people have been undergoing acupuncture treatments for numerous ailments. It is considered to be on a par if not better than conventional medical treatments by a vast majority of Asians. In the western world many medics and the general public have for centuries viewed its effectiveness with uncertainty and cynicism. Nowadays however there is a growing tendency to combine the best of acupuncture and conventional medicine when treating patients.

The Chinese believe that the body is made up of control points and inner energy flows known as the yin and yang. These need to circulate freely through the body for a person to maintain good health. Obstruction to this flow may be caused through muscle spasms, skeletal mis-alignments, swelling of joints and modern stress and tension can bring on numerous ailments.

Twelve primary channels connect the entire body from the head to the toes and interact with large and smaller organs. These yin and yang flows work in pairs and flow in opposite directions throughout the body. Needles are inserted into specific areas for particular ailments. There are three yin channels that affect the heart, pericardium and lungs which originate in the chest and flow to the hand via the arm.

Large and small intestines are controlled by the three yang channels that start in the hand and flow through to the head. The bladder, gallbladder and stomach are controlled by three yang flows that start in the eye region and end in the foot. Liver, kidneys and spleen are affected by yin channels that commence from the foot and end in a person's flank or chest.

The experienced acupuncturist knows where to insert these needles and does so with precision and caution. The entire system is inter-connected. Heating speeds up healing and one finds that needles are sometimes heated before being inserted. Alternatively they are inserted and then topped with a special burning substance for inner heating.

Modern acupuncturists use ethylene oxide to sterilize their disposable stainless steel needles. These very fine needles have a fortified upper section which acts as a handle for the practitioner.

Nowadays acupuncture is performed in most countries around the world. There are still many scientists that feel there is no scientific proof to back its effectiveness. However for the uncountable numbers that finds relief it is considered a beneficial form for treating certain ailments. Adults who have undergone operations or chemotherapy have found it diminishes the resulting vomiting and nausea. Positive reactions have been reported after treatments by people who have experienced problems with severe headaches, forms of arthritis, asthma, lower back pains and menstrual cramps.

Although the scientific field requires more proof it is by and largely acknowledged to be a treatment that can relieve symptoms of certain ailments. Acupuncture treats the entire body and seeks to promote overall health by keeping inner energy channels open and free flowing. It is however recommended that people seek advice and treatment from practitioners who are highly regarded as there is an element of risk attached.