Medical review:
2003
Contributing
Author: Cherri
Straus, MPH
Acupuncture,
which originated
in China 2500
years ago, is
one of the
oldest, most
commonly
practiced
medical
procedures in
the world.
Acupuncture
became widely
known in the
U.S. in the
1970s and by
1995, there were
over 10,000
nationally
certified
acupuncturists
practicing in
this country
with the number
expected to
double in the
year 2000. The
Food and Drug
Administration
approved
acupuncture
needles for use
by licensed
practitioners in
1997. Currently,
one-third of
acupuncturists
are medical
physicians.
Non-physician
acupuncturists
practice more
traditional
oriental
medicine and
must meet
licensing and
certification
requirements.
The National
Institutes of
Health has
termed
acupuncture “an
acceptable
alternative, or
part of a
comprehensive
treatment
program” for
certain medical
conditions.
Acupuncture
involves
stimulation at
specific points
on the body by
puncturing the
skin with
sterilized,
flexible, very
fine needles.
These points on
the body are
believed to
stimulate the
central nervous
system to
release
chemicals into
the muscles,
spinal cord, and
brain. These
chemicals can
help reduce pain
and
inflammation,
and may also
trigger the
release of other
chemicals to
stimulate the
body’s natural
healing
abilities and
promote physical
and emotional
well-being. The
Chinese call
this restoring
one’s “qi”
(pronounced chee)
which is
translated as
one’s “energy
flow”.
Variations of
traditional
acupuncture
include
Moxibustion –
the process of
burning dried
herbs on top of
the needles for
treating certain
health
conditions, and
Electroacupuncture
– when the
needle points
are stimulated
electronically.
Acupuncture
practitioners
will usually
discuss your
complete
medical,
personal, and
family history
with you in
great detail in
order to obtain
a complete
picture of your
treatment needs
and personal
behaviors that
may contribute
to your
condition. It is
important that
you tell the
practitioner if
you are
pregnant, have
breast or other
implants, have a
pacemaker, and
what medications
and other
treatments you
are currently
taking. In some
cases there may
be bruising or
irritation after
the treatment,
but the
procedure itself
produces minimal
pain since the
needles are
hair-thin and
hollow.
Lifestyle, age,
and physical
factors combine
to make every
person different
and you should
not rely on
stories and
hearsay about
acupuncture to
influence your
decisions about
healthcare. A
treatment that
works for one
person may not
work for another
person, even
with the same
condition. Ask
your physician
or call the
American Academy
of Medical
Acupuncture
(800)-521-2262
for referrals to
licensed
acupuncurists
Check with your
benefits
administrator
regarding
coverage for
acupuncture
under your
health plan.
This information
is provided for
educational
purposes only
and is not a
substitute for
sound medical
judgement. If
you have any
questions or
concerns, you
should discuss
them with your
physician.