What are the risks and benefits of acupuncture therapy?
Acupuncture is a treatment that uses very thin steel needles inserted into the skin to stimulate specific points in the body. The goal is to relieve a health condition or symptom, such as pain. The practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine. Scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness for some conditions.
What is acupressure treatment and how it effects Your Body?
Dec 23, 1999 · Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in traditional Chinese medicine. See the NCCIH Web site …
What health conditions can acupuncture treat?
Feb 18, 2004 · Your acupuncturist may use additional techniques during your session including: 13 Moxibustion : This involves the use of heated sticks, made from dried herbs, held near the acupuncture needles to warm... Electroacupuncture : An electrical device is connected to several needles, providing a weak ...
What does acupuncture really do?
Apr 04, 2022 · Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. Research suggests that it can help relieve...
What does acupuncture actually do?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
What conditions can be treated with acupuncture?
What conditions are commonly treated by acupuncture? Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility.
What are 3 benefits of acupuncture?
Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture for Workplace Stress and PainReduced Stress. ... Reduced Back Pain, Neck Tension and Relieve Joint Pain in the Hands and Arms. ... Relief from Headaches. ... Reduced Eye Strain. ... Improved Immune System and Reduced Sick Days. ... Enhanced Mental Clarity and Increased Energy. ... Relief from Digestive Conditions.More items...
What are the side effects of acupuncture?
As with any treatment, acupuncture may cause side effects in some individuals....Side effects may include:Pain and bleeding from the needle insertion.Nausea.Infections.Skin rash.Allergic reaction.Bruising around the area the needles were placed.Dizziness17.Jan 11, 2022
How much does acupuncture cost?
The average cost for an acupuncture session usually ranges between $75 - $100. That includes the first session. The initial consultation fee is separate and can be anywhere from $100 - $300.
Can acupuncture go wrong?
Although nobody has ever died from acupuncture gone wrong (in the UK at the time of writing) there can be some serious side effects if the needles aren't placed correctly. If the needle is incorrectly inserted - wrong angle, or too deep, or just completely wrong location, there is a chance for it to hit a nerve.Jan 27, 2021
How long does acupuncture last?
This initial evaluation and treatment may take up to 60 minutes. Subsequent appointments usually take about a half-hour. A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity.Mar 26, 2021
How quickly does acupuncture work?
The period of time you will feel its therapeutic benefits is around 3-4 days. If you are having it only and your problem isn't chronic, you can have it once a week.
Why do people do acupuncture?
Why it's done. Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dental pain. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Labor pain . Low back pain. Neck pain. Osteoarthritis.
How to determine acupuncture treatment?
To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He or she may also closely examine: The parts of your body that are painful. The shape, coating and color of your tongue. The color of your face.
How to become a non-physician acupuncturist?
Most states require that nonphysician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Interview the practitioner.
How long do needles stay in place?
Needle removal. In most cases, the needles remain in place for 10 to 20 minutes while you lie still and relax. There is usually no discomfort when the needles are removed.
What is acupuncture in Chinese medicine?
What Is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in traditional Chinese medicine. See the NCCIH Web site for more information on traditional Chinese medicine.
What is simulated acupuncture?
Many acupuncture trials rely on a technique called simulated acupuncture, which may use blunt-tipped retractable needles that touch the skin but do not penetrate (in real acupuncture, needles penetrate the skin). Researchers also may simulate acupuncture in other ways.
Why is acupuncture so challenging?
Studying acupuncture is challenging because: Clinical trials often differ in terms of technique, the number of acupuncture points, the number of sessions, and the duration of those sessions.
What is NCCIH Clearinghouse?
The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
What is the FDA's regulation for needles?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices for use by licensed practitioners and requires that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards.
What is PubMed in medical terms?
A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed.
Is acupuncture good for osteoarthritis?
A major 2012 analysis of data on participants in acupuncture studies found that actual acupuncture was more helpful for osteoarthritis pain than simulated acupuncture or no acupuncture. A 2010 systematic review of studies of acupuncture for knee or hip osteoarthritis concluded that actual acupuncture was more helpful for osteoarthritis pain ...
Why do people use acupuncture?
Some people use acupuncture to promote fertility. It is also used to quit smoking and as a component of the treatment for other addictions. Cosmetic acupuncture, also known as facial acupuncture, is used to improve the appearance of skin.
What is the role of acupuncture in the body?
Acupuncture is also said to influence the autonomic nervous system (which controls bodily functions) and the release of chemicals that regulate blood flow and pressure, reduce inflammation, and calm the brain. 1 .
What is the use of heated sticks?
Moxibustion: Also known as "moxa," moxibustion involves the use of heated sticks (made from dried herbs) held near the acupuncture needles to warm and stimulate the acupuncture points. Cupping: Glass or silicone cups are applied to the skin so that there is a suction effect.
Why do acupuncture needles work?
Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles to specific acupuncture points throughout the body to restore the flow of qi, balance the body’s energy, stimulate healing, and promote relaxation.
How many needles are used in acupuncture?
Typically, acupuncture will use anywhere from six to more than 20 tiny need les per treatment (the number of needles doesn't indicate the intensity of the treatment). The needles are often left in for 10 to 20 minutes. The acupuncturist may gently twist the needles for added effect.
What is laser acupuncture?
Laser acupuncture: This method is said to stimulate acupuncture points without the use of needles. Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture, is sometimes used during the treatment for weight loss, 2 smoking cessation, addictions, 3 and anxiety.
How long does acupuncture help with knee pain?
An analysis of previously published studies found that acupuncture improved physical function in the short and long term in people with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, but it appeared to provide only short-term (up to 13 weeks) relief of pain.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following: 1 Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy 2 Dental pain after surgery 3 Addiction 4 Headaches 5 Menstrual cramps 6 Tennis elbow 7 Fibromyalgia 8 Myofascial pain 9 Osteoarthritis 10 Low back pain 11 Carpal tunnel syndrome 12 Asthma
What is the purpose of acupuncture points?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Why is acupuncture controversial?
Because scientific studies have not fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture remains a source of controversy. It is important to take precautions when deciding about acupuncture.
How many acupuncture points are there in the human body?
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health.
Why are needles sterilized?
Needles must be sterilized to prevent infection. That is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner. The FDA regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other medical devices under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility.
What is the benefit of acupuncture?
Benefits. What to expect. Risks. Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. Research suggests. Trusted Source. that it can help relieve pain, and it is used for a wide range of other complaints. However, according to the National Center ...
What is acupuncture point?
Some experts have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture. Acupuncture points are seen as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers.
How much does acupuncture cost?
According to Costhelper Health, an acupuncture session and medical consultation will cost from $75 to $95, and a routine visit will cost between $50 and $70.
What side of the body do you lie down on for acupuncture?
The patient will be asked to lie down on their back, front, or one side, depending on where the needles are to be inserted. The acupuncturist should use single-use, disposable, sterile needles. As each needle is inserted, the patient may feel a very brief stinging or tingling sensation.
How many acupuncture points are there in the body?
Qi is said to flow through meridians, or pathways, in the human body. These meridiens and energy flows are accessible through 350 acupuncture points in the body.
What is the purpose of needles in acupuncture?
An acupuncurist will insert needles into a person’s body with the aim of balancing their energy. This, it is claimed, can help boost wellbeing and may cure some illnesses. Conditions it is used for include different kinds of pain, such as headaches, blood pressure problems, and whooping cough, among others.
How does Chinese medicine work?
How does it work? Traditional Chinese medicine explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of “yin” and “yang” of the life force known as “qi,” pronounced “chi.”. Illness is said to be the consequence of an imbalance of the forces.
Why do people use acupuncture?
Some people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a “miracle” to improving their quality of life because it’s said to be able to treat everything from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
What is the certification for acupuncture?
A licensed acupuncturist is required to pass the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam or complete the NCCAOM program in the foundations of Oriental medicine, acupuncture, and biomedicine.
What is acupuncture needle?
Paul Kempisty, licensed acupuncturist with a MS in traditional Oriental medicine, explains, “ [Acupuncture is] a minimally invasive method to stimulate nerve-rich areas of the skin surface in order to influence tissues, gland, organs, and various functions of the body. ”. “Each acupuncture needle produces a tiny injury at the insertion site, ...
What is the best way to get energy into your body?
Instead, Kempisty recommends “Tai Chi, yoga, and meditation [and learning] simple self-massage techniques to promote the flow of energy into your aroma and different parts of your body,” if you’re looking for ways to gain similar benefits at home. Pressing these points is known as acupressure.
How long does acupuncture last?
The actual treatment portion of acupuncture may last around 30 minutes, though you don’t necessarily have needles in your skin for that long!
What is it called when you press a point?
Pressing these points is known as acupressure. Lisa Chan, LAc and certified reflexologist, provided some insight as to which points on your body you can massage on your own. If you’re experiencing menstrual cramps, for example, “hold the hollow of your inner ankle with your thumb, using little or no pressure.”.
How to get rid of back pain from sleeping?
To help ease lower back pain, Chan recommends pressing “Du 26,” the space between the middle of your nose and upper lip.
What is the main method of acupuncture in the UK?
The main methods practiced in the UK are TCM and Western medical acupuncture. The term Western medical acupuncture is used to indicate an adaptation of TCM-based acupuncture which focuses less on TCM. The Western medical acupuncture approach involves using acupuncture after a medical diagnosis.
When was acupuncture first used?
Ramey and Buell said the "practice and theoretical underpinnings" of modern acupuncture were introduced in The Yellow Emperor's Classic (Huangdi Neijing) around 100 BC. It introduced the concept of using acupuncture to manipulate the flow of life energy ( qi) in a network of meridian (channels) in the body.
Why did needles get thicker during the acupuncture period?
Acupuncture needles during this period were much thicker than most modern ones and often resulted in infection. Infection is caused by a lack of sterilization, but at that time it was believed to be caused by use of the wrong needle, or needling in the wrong place, or at the wrong time.
How are acupuncture needles used?
The most common mechanism of stimulation of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin metal needles, which are manipulated manually or the needle may be further stimulated by electrical stimulation (electroacupuncture). Acupuncture needles are typically made of stainless steel, making them flexible and preventing them from rusting or breaking. Needles are usually disposed of after each use to prevent contamination. Reusable needles when used should be sterilized between applications. In many areas, only sterile, single-use acupuncture needles are allowed, including the State of California, USA. Needles vary in length between 13 to 130 millimetres (0.51 to 5.12 in), with shorter needles used near the face and eyes, and longer needles in areas with thicker tissues; needle diameters vary from 0.16 mm (0.006 in) to 0.46 mm (0.018 in), with thicker needles used on more robust patients. Thinner needles may be flexible and require tubes for insertion. The tip of the needle should not be made too sharp to prevent breakage, although blunt needles cause more pain.
What is electroacupuncture?
Electroacupuncture is a form of acupuncture in which acupuncture needles are attached to a device that generates continuous electric pulses (this has been described as "essentially transdermal electrical nerve stimulation [ TENS] masquerading as acupuncture").
What is the most widely used acupuncture method in the US?
Although various different techniques of acupuncture practice have emerged, the method used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) seems to be the most widely adopted in the US.
How many hours of training do you need to be an acupuncturist?
The World Health Organization recommends that before being licensed or certified, an acupuncturist receive 200 hours of specialized training if they are a physician and 2,500 hours for non-physicians; many governments have adopted similar standards.
Overview
- Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing t…
Why It's Done
- Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: 1. Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting 2. Dental pain 3. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines 4. Labor pain 5. Low back pain 6. Neck pain 7. Osteoarthritis 8. Menstrual cramps 9. Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis
Risks
- The risks of acupuncture are low if you have a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner using sterile needles. Common side effects include soreness and minor bleeding or bruising where the needles were inserted. Single-use, disposable needles are now the practice standard, so the risk of infection is minimal. Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture. You may be at risk of …
What You Can Expect
- Each person who performs acupuncture has a unique style, often blending aspects of Eastern and Western approaches to medicine. To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He or she may also closely examine: 1. The parts of your body that are painful 2. The shape, coating a…
Results
- The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but many people find it helpful as a means to control a variety of painful conditions. Several studies, however, indicate that some types of simulated acupuncture appear to work just as well as real acupuncture. There's also evidence that acupuncture works best in people who expect it to work. Acupuncture has few sid…
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiesof tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.