Introduction
The technique known as acupuncture started to be used in China over 5,000 years ago. However, it was not widely known in the US until 1971 when James Reston, a reporter from The New York Times, noted in an article that the pain he experienced after surgery was reduced when doctors inserted needles into various points in his body.
The word acupuncture encompasses various procedures that promote the stimulation of different points on the body using different techniques. While in the US, acupuncture relies on medical traditions adopted from different countries like Korea, Japan, and China, the method that has undergone the most scientific research involves inserting slim, hard, metallic needles into points on the skin. These needles are either electrically stimulated or manipulated by the therapist.
How does acupuncture work? In traditional Chinese medicine, the human body is believed to be composed of a delicate balance between ying and yang. Yin represents the passive, slow, or cold force in the body, while yang embodies the active, excited, or hot force. Traditional Chinese medicine states that a person remains healthy when these two forces are in balance. An imbalance disrupts the flow of the body's vital energy, known as chi, through pathways called meridians.
Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the human body has 12 major meridians and 8 secondary meridians. Over 2,000 acupuncture points are interconnected with these meridians. Acupuncture is believed to work by adjusting the body's nervous system to activate certain biochemicals that reduce pain, such as endorphins. Research has also shown that acupuncture can facilitate the release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters, altering brain chemistry. This affects parts of the central nervous system related to involuntary body functions and sensation. Cancer patients experiencing nausea due to chemotherapy and surgical anesthesia have found relief through acupuncture. The procedure is also useful for individuals undergoing dental surgery. Additionally, it aids in reducing addictive behaviors like alcoholism or smoking. People suffering from headaches, rehabilitating from strokes, or needing assistance with various musculoskeletal conditions (such as tennis elbow, low back pain, or carpal tunnel syndrome) have also found acupuncture to be beneficial.
Acupressure is related to the healing method of acupuncture, as they both treat the same areas of the body. The difference is that acupressure relies on pressure and massage applied to pressure points, while acupuncture involves the insertion of slim, solid needles into the skin. Many people prefer acup