The Science Behind Acupuncture

 https://philaacupuncture.com/the-science-behind-acupuncture/

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a method of TCM treatment that assumes inserting very thin needles through a patient’s skin at specific points on the body, to different depths depending on the point position.

Research suggests that acupuncture treatment helps relieve the severity of pain, and thus acupuncture is used for a wide range of medical conditions.

How this Chinese treatment works scientifically remains unclear. The oriental philosophy claims that acupuncture works by balancing dynamic Yin and Yang energies, while modern Western medical science believes it has a neurological effect.

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) describes health as the result of harmonious stability of the opposite extremes of “yin” and “yang” of the life force known as “energy qi,” pronounced “chi.” Diseases are said to be the consequence of a disproportion of the forces.

Qi energy is said to stream through passages known as meridians, or channels, in the human body. These meridians and consequently the flow of energy is reachable through nearly 1350 acupuncture points located on the channels in the body.

The principles of this Chinese treatment have their roots in traditional Chinese medicine. The main idea is to create balance throughout the body. During an acupuncture treatment, the acupuncturist inserts ultra-thin needles into specific acupuncture points that correspond to the various organ systems of the body.

While the points may seem random, in fact, each point is filled with neurovascular structures. This means that inserting this little needle into the appropriate acupoint on the leg can actually trigger a reaction in the eye.

In the United States, the practice of acupuncture is strictly regulated. Years of education are required to obtain a license, and many practitioners learn other types of traditional medicine as part of their training.

Acupuncturists learn to treat the body as a whole, unlike Western medicine, which targets a specific condition. They consider everything from the patient’s posture and breathing to diet and lifestyle when creating a personalized treatment plan. The plan often includes Chinese herbs, massage, and lifestyle recommendations, as well as acupuncture treatments.

The science behind oriental philosophy

Traditional medicine has mocked acupuncture in the past, but science has found it really works. Research shows that acupuncture can be used to treat infertility, nausea, chronic pain, and more.

People who struggle with infertility often rely on IVF to get pregnant. However, treatments are extremely expensive. The success rate is only around 40% for women under the age of 35, and it drops dramatically with the age of the patient. Often times, a patient spends thousands of dollars going through several IVF cycles without a successful pregnancy.

The good news is that acupuncture can be used in conjunction with IVF treatments to increase the likelihood of conception. A study published by Fertility and Sterility found that women who received acupuncture at certain times during the IVF process not only had a higher conception rate but also a higher rate of successful pregnancies.

So why is it working? TCM experts at the Yinova Center in Brooklyn, New York explain that acupuncture increases blood flow to the uterus. This creates a thicker uterine lining, which means a friendlier environment for implantation and a better chance of a healthy pregnancy.

This Chinese treatment can also be useful in cases where the problem is male infertility. Clinical trials show that taking acupuncture regularly can improve sperm count and quantity to increase your chances of conception.

Science shows that acupuncture can be useful in other areas as well. Not only can it relieve pain, but it can also strengthen your immune system and relieve common symptoms of the disease. For example, a study by the National Institutes of Health shows that acupuncture is very effective in relieving nausea and other side effects of chemotherapy and cancer, including pain.

Many chronic disease patients who receive regular acupuncture have decreased their dependence on pain medications.

What is acupuncture good for

What is acupuncture for is the question that searched about 6600 times/day on google. If the idea of transforming into a human pillow seems a little crazy to you, you are not alone! While many are still skeptical of acupuncture, many clearly like it. This practice has been popular in Eastern cultures for over 3,000 years.

It has been practiced all over the world in recent years. In fact, the number of acupuncturists in the United States has almost doubled over the past decade. However, despite its growing popularity, many people do not understand how it works.

Let’s dive into the science behind acupuncture, how it works, and why you should try it.

Acupuncture is primarily used to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of illnesses and conditions, including:

• Nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and postoperative
• Dental pain
• Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines
• The pain of labor
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Menstrual cramps
• Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis

Why you should consider trying TCM

Evidence shows that the use of acupuncture in conjunction with conventional medicine can significantly improve the outcome for the patient. Treatments are considered safe and there are few or no side effects.

If you are suffering from chronic pain or illness, acupuncture can reduce or eliminate the need for prescription drugs. Many mainstream doctors are beginning to see the value of alternative treatments as well. It is not uncommon to see conventional doctors working side by side with alternative doctors.

What are the risks of TCM in general and acupuncture in particular?

Like any other medical treatment, acupuncture has some side effects, but they are extremely rare. When you do your research and seek out a licensed and fully qualified acupuncture doctor, the risks are minimal.

The risks of acupuncture treatment are insignificant if you choose a well-trained and certified TCM practitioner who uses disposable needles. Common side effects include pain and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Disposable and disposable needles are now the standard of practice, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. You may be at risk for complications if:

• Having a bleeding disorder. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from needles increase if you are suffering from a bleeding disorder or taking blood thinners medicines.
• Having a pacemaker. Acupuncture that involves applying mild electrical pulses to the needles can interfere with the functioning of a pacemaker.
• Pregnancy Some types of acupuncture are thought to stimulate labor, which could result in premature birth.

Choosing a TCM practitioner

If you are considering acupuncture, follow the same steps as when choosing a doctor:

• Ask for advice from people you trust.
• Check the practitioner’s training and qualifications. In most states, non-physicist acupuncturists are required to pass an exam administered by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine aka NCCAOM.
• Interview a practitioner. Ask what is meant by treatment, how likely it is to help your condition, and how much it will cost.
• Find out if your insurance covers the treatment.
• Inform your primary physician if you are considering TCM treatment. He or she can tell you about the success of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture specialist.

Conclusion

There is ample evidence to suggest that acupuncture can be helpful for a variety of conditions. Those who want more control over their health and want to avoid the use of drugs and invasive treatments should give it a try. The risks are extremely low and can significantly improve the quality of life.

Philadelphia Acupuncture Clinic directed by the Medical Doctor Victor Tsan is the #1 TCM facility in the City of Brotherly Love and vicinities. Dr. Tsan is an internationally recognized medical practitioner with more than 40 years of academic and clinical experience in oriental medicine, homeopathy, and hypnotherapy.

To schedule your appointment for TCM evaluation and treatment contact our clinic at 267-314-7575 or use our online secure application