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Efficacy of Acupuncture: in evidence

What Is Acupuncture? Acupuncture is one of the oldest form of healing in the world. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that there are as many as 2,000 acupuncture points on the human body, which are connected by 20 pathways called meridians.These meridians conduct energy, or Qi (pronounced “chi”), between the surface of the body and its internal organs. Each point has a different effect on the Qi that passes through it. Qi is believed to help regulate balance in the body. Qi can be affected by external and internal disruptive forces such as disease, stress, and environmental factors. Acupuncture on specific meridians known to house a disrupted Qi can help to regulate the Qi and allow recovery of the body.

Health Benefits of Acupuncture: Today, several scientific theories have been presented as to exactly how acupuncture works. Many research efforts conclude that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system. Others pointed that this treatment stimulates the body to produce substances called endorphins, which reduce pain. Acupuncture can also modulate muscle contraction and relaxation, promote tissue healing and decrease inflammation/pain.

Does It Hurt? Acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin, and they are not designed to cut the skin. They are also inserted to much more shallow levels than hypodermic needles used to withdraw blood. While each person experiences acupuncture differently, most people feel only a minimal amount of pain (felt as a quick prick) as the needles are inserted. Some people reportedly feel a sensation of excitement, while others feel relaxed.

Precaution: Because the treatment is drug-free, patients do not have to worry about taking several doses of a medication or suffering a possible adverse reaction. Properly administered, acupuncture does no harm. However, you are required to report to your practitioner before having acupuncture if you have a pacemaker, are pregnant or bleed easily. Practitioners always wash their hands before treatment, disinfect the skin, and use sterile needles.

Conditions Treated by Acupuncture? At Kent Chiro-Med Wellness Clinic, our chiropractors and physiotherapist treat common ailments such as arthritis, neuralgia, nerve pain in hands/legs, sciatica, radiculopathy, headaches, tendinitis, weakness in muscles, tense muscles, neck/shoulder pain and etc. Acupuncture works very well in combination with chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy and other manual therapy.