Is Acupuncture for your?

What exactly is Acupuncture and how does it work?

Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles through the skin to treat various health problems. In China, it is also used for anesthesia before surgery.

Eastern practitioners believe that a vital energy called Qi (pronounced "chee") flows through the body along a variety of pathways called meridians. There are 14 major acupuncture meridians. Each of these is believed to be associated with a particular part of the body.

Traditional acupuncturists believe that the interruption, or blockage, of Qi causes disease.

To restore the flow of Qi and promote health, acupuncturists insert needles at certain body points along these meridians.

Western researchers are still trying to define in scientific terms why acupuncture works. Research suggests that acupuncture stimulates the body's nerve cells to produce natural painkillers called endorphins.

What happens during a typical Acupuncture session?

During an initial session, a traditional acupuncturist may begin by examining the patient to make a diagnosis. This sometimes includes taking the patient's pulses—in Chinese medicine, people have 12 pulses, six in each wrist. Each pulse is believed to give information about the health of a particular part of the body.

Once an acupuncturist makes a diagnosis, he or she can determine where needles need to be inserted. For instance, in a program for drug addiction, needles were placed at several points in each ear. The practitioner will also determine at what angle to insert the needles and how fast or slow to insert and withdraw the needles.

Acupuncturists also will often vibrate, twist, or otherwise manipulate the needles. The exact technique depends on the condition being treated.

Is all Acupuncture the same?

No. Most acupuncture involves the use of needles. But practitioners may also use other techniques in addition to or in place of needle stimulation. For instance, they may use heat, electrical stimulation, or lasers to stimulate acupuncture points—either with or without needles. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated manually using a technique called acupressure. This involves applying finger pressure to points on the skin.

How many treatments are necessary?

The number of treatments required depends on the condition being treated. In a program for drug addiction, for example, participants received 30- to 40-minute treatments every day for two weeks, then three times a week for four more weeks, and two times a week during the final two weeks. In contrast, a group of patients awaiting knee surgery for osteoarthritis received monthly treatments for just under a year.

What do the needles look like?

Disposable stainless-steel acupuncture needles come in differing lengths and widths. The type of needles an acupuncturist uses depends on the part of the body where they will be placed.

What does Acupuncture feel like?

Acupuncture should not typically hurt. Many patients report a tingling sensation, which is particularly noticeable when the acupuncturist twists or vibrates the needles.

What advantages does Acupuncture offer?

Some people select this treatment because standard medical therapy has been unable to relieve their conditions or because they cannot tolerate medications. For example, anti-inflammatory drugs and steroid injections—which are often prescribed for tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, and other painful conditions—sometimes produce nausea and other side effects. In comparison, acupuncture treatment is often equally effective at relieving such pain and does not typically produce side effects.

How can you tell if Acupuncture is working?

If you receive no relief after several weekly treatments, consider finding a different acupuncturist or ask your doctor's advice about other medical alternatives.

Does Acupuncture carry any risks?

Unsterile acupuncture needles have caused infections and illness. For this reason, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that acupuncturists use only sterile, disposable needles. Also, needles that are inserted improperly can cause tissue injury and other problems. You can protect yourself from this risk by going only to a qualified acupuncturist. You can also safeguard your health by letting your regular doctor know that you are seeing an acupuncturist.

How can you tell if an Acupuncturist is qualified?

Most states license or register acupuncturists. But the requirements for licensing vary from state to state. Requirements also vary for physician and nonphysician acupuncturists. For details, call the State Acupuncture Board or the State Board of Medical Examiners.

When checking the credentials of a nonphysician acupuncturist, ask if she or he is certified by The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. To be certified by this Commission, practitioners must have at least three years of experience and pass an examination that tests their competency. Many states require that acupuncturists pass this exam before they can receive a license.

When considering an acupuncturist who is a physician, inquire if he or she belongs to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. A physician must have a minimum of 200 hours of training in acupuncture and take an examination to be a member of this academy.

For more information or to find a certified acupuncturist, ask your doctor, or contact:

The National Certification Commission for

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

11 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-548-9004

American Academy of Medical Acupuncture

5820 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Phone: 213-937-5514

But is Acupuncture really effective?

Acupuncture recently won approval from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for treating several common health conditions and problems. According to an NIH panel of experts, which evaluated the scientific and medical evidence on needle acupuncture, this procedure effectively relieves:

• nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy
• morning sickness
• pain after dental surgery

While they found the evidence less convincing, NIH panel members also agree that acupuncture may be effective in treating a variety of other problems, including:

• addiction to drugs or alcohol
• headache
• menstrual cramps
• tennis elbow
• general muscle pain
• low back pain
• fibromyalgia
• postoperative pain
• osteoarthritis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• asthma

The NIH experts only studied the effectiveness of acupuncture that uses needles that are manipulated manually or electrically. They did not look at acupressure or acupuncture that uses heat or lasers because less research has been conducted on these methods.

A person suffering from any of the conditions listed above may want to consider acupuncture. Future research will probably uncover even more conditions for which acupuncture can offer effective relief. But acupuncture is not necessarily effective for all health problems. For example, the NIH panel concluded that acupuncture does not help people quit smoking.