One of several popular alternative modalities that traces its roots back to traditional Chinese medicine, the practice of acupuncture is more than 5,000 years old.

While regarded as one of the oldest and most common treatments worldwide, recognition for this ancient practice only began after a New York Times journalist, James Reston, wrote an article on how in 1971 stating that his pain post surgery was eased by doctors in China who had used acupuncture.

What is Acupuncture?
By using qi (pronounced key), acupuncture assumes that the energy found in living beings goes through 12 invisible energy lines in the body (or meridians). Each meridian can be linked to one of our organ systems. The Chinese believe that an imbalance of qi will lead to disease. The insertion of extremely thin, metallic needles into key points on meridian lines to renew life force and restore balance is the key component of the treatment. The needles are aimed specifically at anatomical points on our bodies. They are controlled by electric stimulation or manually. Those people undergoing acupuncture treatment will feel energized and relaxed after the session has completed.

How is Acupuncture Used Today?
In 1997, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) reclassified acupuncture needles as medical devices. They were earlier classified as experimental. Since over $500 million are spent annually by people in the US, much of which is covered to some extent by insurance, the FDA conceded it as a useful modality. The restrictions that they place on the needles are that they must be sterilized and non-toxic. They also must be discarded immediately after one use.
Since it is found to be a beneficial treatment that can ease pain and renew life force, the National Institute of Health endorses its use and doctors, dentists and other health care practitioners across the country practice its use.

Its Acceptance is Increasing
The National Health Interview Survey highlighted the increasing acceptance of acupuncture in 2002. At that time, the number of adults in the US using it as a treatment jumped from 2.1 million in 2001 to about 8.2 million in 2002. People grew impatient with conventional medical treatments and increasingly began to turn to alternatives for relief.


Acupuncture employs tiny metallic needles through meridians

How Does Acupuncture Work?
By releasing endorphins into the body, acupuncture can relieve pain in an individual. It can also influence neurotransmitters or other substances that transport impulses to nerves, improve circulation, and has effects over the electrical currents and autonomic nervous system in the body. Commonly, many ailments and conditions that are undesirable can be addressed by use of acupuncture treatment. It is said to renew life force to the body and spirit.

Many commonly treated conditions such as sinusitis, smoking and other addictions; the common cold, migraines, infertility, tennis elbow, menstrual cramps, lower back pain, obesity, arthritis, asthma and carpal tunnel syndrome have had successful outcomes with the use of acupuncture.

Popularity on the Rise
With pharmaceutical drugs such as Vioxx being taken off the market, many people are apprehensive about taking prescription medications. This coupled with government and health organizations such as NIH stating that the side effects are significantly lower when you use acupuncture in place of drugs has caused many more folks to consider its treatment. The most popular indication of its use is for pain. There have been many studies that back up the fact that patients with ailments such as osteoarthritis, depression and even post chemotherapy nausea benefit from acupuncture treatments.

When seeking an acupuncturist, it is important to find a certified, highly qualified practitioner. You can find a one near you by checking out the American Academy of Medical Acupuncturists website at: http://www.medicalacupuncture.org. There may however be membership required in order to browse this site.