ACUPUNTURE

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Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that there are over 2000 acupuncture points on the human body, which are connected by 20 channels (12 main, 8 secondary), called meridians. These meridians conduct energy, or Qi (pronounced "Chi"), between the body's surface and its internal organs. Each point has a different effect on the Qi that passes through it.
Qi is believed to help regulate balance in the body. It is influenced by the opposing forces of Yin and Yang, which represent the positive and negative energy and forces in the universe and the human body.  Acupuncture maintains the balance between Yin and Yang, allowing the normal flow of Qi through the body and restoring health to the mind and body.

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How it works? 
In the West several theories were created to explain how acupuncture worked.  One theory suggests that painful impulses are prevented from reaching the spinal cord or brain at various points in these areas. Since most acupuncture points are connected to neural structures, then it suggests that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system.
Another theory suggests that acupuncture stimulates the body to produce narcotic-like substances called endorphins, which reduce the sensation of pain. Other studies have found that other pain-relieving substances called opioids may be released into the body during acupuncture treatment.

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Is acupuncture painful?
Unlike the needles used for injections, acupuncture needles are solid and thin as a hair and are not designed to cut the skin.  Moreover, they are inserted more superficially than hypodermic needles.
Although each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only minimal pain when the needles are inserted.
Some people reportedly experience a feeling of arousal, while others feel relaxed.

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Is it safe?
When practiced by a licensed and experienced acupuncturist, acupuncture is extremely safe.  As a healthcare system, acupuncture has some inherent guarantees. Because the treatment does not use drugs, patients do not have to worry about adverse reactions.
Correctly administered, acupuncture does no harm. However, there are some situations that should be communicated to the acupuncturist before doing the treatment. If you have a pacemaker, for example, you should not receive electrostimulation, due to possible electromagnetic interference with the pacemaker. If you are prone to bleeding, or if you are a haemophiliac, you should consider another type of treatment.

Which diseases does it treat?
In the late 1970s, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised the ability of acupuncture and Oriental medicine to treat some four dozen common ailments, including neuromuscular problems (such as arthritis, neuralgia, insomnia, dizziness and neck and shoulder pain); emotional and psychological problems (such as depression and anxiety) circulatory problems (such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arteriosclerosis and anaemia); addictions to alcohol, nicotine and other drugs; respiratory problems (such as emphysema, sinusitis, allergies and bronchitis); and gastrointestinal problems (such as food allergies, ulcers, chronic diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, intestinal weakness, anorexia and gastritis).
In 1997, a consensus statement issued by the National Institutes of Health said that acupuncture could be useful alone or in combination with other therapies to treat addictions, headaches, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma.
Other studies have shown that acupuncture can help in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a stroke and can relieve nausea in patients recovering from surgery.

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What to expect on the first visit?
As with most health practices, the first visit to an acupuncture specialist begins with taking a detailed history of the patient. Since Traditional Chinese Medicine has a more holistic approach to patient care than Western Medicine, questions may be asked that may seem unimportant (sleeping habits, ability to tolerate heat or cold, etc...) but are very important to the type of treatment you will receive.
Using all the information obtained during the medical history and diagnosis, the acupuncturist determines the cause of the symptoms. According to the situation, needles will be inserted into specific acupuncture points on the body. Moxa or electrostimulation may be used to enhance the therapeutic effects.
Depending on the severity of your problem, your first visit may take between 60-90 minutes.  It may take several visits for significant improvements to be seen.

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