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Most Western countries have no real concept of what acupuncture is, other than it looks scary. It looks scary because of all the needles, and we all have this negative reaction against needles of any kind.
The truth is that acupuncture is one of the oldest treatments in history. It’s been tracked back to 3000 B.C., even though metal wasn’t around then, so stone needles were used instead. These days, most acupuncturists use disposable sterilized stainless steel needles.
There are more than 400 acupuncture pressure points on the body. The theory is that pressure points aren’t necessarily in the area of pain or suggestion, but located in other places. Placing needles into the nervous system along these points, known as distal points, shifts those feelings elsewhere, and possibly eliminates them altogether. The needles help to relieve tension, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation, which allows the body to heal and brings comfort to the patient.
Acupuncture is said to cure so many things that it seems almost impossible to believe. The most obvious thing is pain in all areas of the body. Some people believe acupuncture can cure cancer. Headaches, nausea and vomiting issues, and mental problems have been said to be cured by acupuncture. Two big things that have also been attributed to acupuncture are smoking cessation and weight loss.
Depression is one of the newer reasons acupuncture is used. As it supposedly stimulates the brain and brings about peace, it can make depressed people feel more of a sense of calm and enjoyment.
Of course, there are many questions with acupuncture. The first question is the most common one; does it hurt? For the most part no, but there are some points that surround a high number of nerves, or are close to the bones. Putting needles directly into the muscles doesn’t hurt most people, but they do feel the sensation of the needle going in. The needles aren’t pushed in all that far, so the feelings are only surface deep.
Does acupuncture work? That depends on who you ask. Scientists have said outright that most acupuncture doesn’t work, especially on serious issues. Many scientists believe people start feeling better based on a placebo effect. But some patients swear by it, and they go at least twice a week for relief, which is the recommended number of times to do it over the course of three to four weeks. If you’re not feeling anything by that time, then it’s probably not going to work for you.
See more:
Doctor, What’s Acupuncture All About?
Can Acupuncture Help Relieve Arthritis?
The Acupuncture Weight Loss Solution
