Acupuncture has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, but it has only recently caught on in western countries. The theory behind acupuncture is that the body has two forces known as yin and yang, which must be balanced to achieve optimal health. Diseases arise when yin and yang become unbalanced. Acupuncture is thought to correct this imbalance by removing blockages in the qi, or life force.
Acupuncture needles are inserted to various depths at strategic points on your body
Acupuncture is a treatment method that relies on the flow of energy, or qi, throughout your body. The thin needles inserted at various points are believed to help relieve pain by stimulating receptors in the brain that control the flow of energy. Essentially, acupuncture works to tune the body to achieve optimum health.
During the procedure, thin acupuncture needles are inserted to varying depths at strategic points on your body. Typically, between five and twenty needles are used per treatment. Each needle is focused on a different strategic point in different areas of the body. Some are placed close to the source of pain, while others are placed farther away. While some people are unaware of the needles, others will feel a mild ache as the needles are inserted at the correct depth. Once the needles are inserted to the correct depth, they are left in place for 10 to 20 minutes and then removed without pain.
Needles are left in for 20-30 minutes
Acupuncture is an ancient practice that combines Chinese and Western medicine. The 5,000-year-old practice includes nutrition, herbal medicine, heat therapy, cupping therapy, therapeutic breathing exercises, and acupuncture. Typically, acupuncture involves inserting thin, single-use needles into the body. These are left in place for 20 to 30 minutes. While some people experience immediate pain relief after the treatment, some people can continue with their normal activities for a few days.
The insertion of needles into the body will bring about pain relief and a general sense of well-being. The needles are left in for 20 to 30 minutes to relieve pain and promote general well-being. The process activates homeostasis, the body’s self-regulating system. During treatment, patients may experience various sensations including heat, cold, tingling, heaviness, and electricity moving along the spine.
Acupuncture uses a heat lamp to relieve pain
Infrared heat lamps are used in conjunction with acupuncture to relieve pain by warming the body. They can be relaxing and soothing, and the heat from the lamps penetrates the cells to promote healing. Infrared light therapy has many benefits and is often used in combination with acupuncture to treat various medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic neck pain. It can also be helpful for various types of injuries, including muscle spasms and strains.
One recent study showed that acupuncture can effectively relieve knee osteoarthritis, with very few side effects. In the study, 80% of patients experienced pain relief at week 16, and 56% reported a subjective improvement in pain. Long-term results showed significant reductions in pain, improved quality of life, and a reduction in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, the authors failed to assess the study quality and reported inadequate details about how they conducted the review. Therefore, the study’s conclusions may not be reliable. MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Alt-Med were searched from 1977 to 2003.
Acupuncture causes infections
Although acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, there are still many myths about it. Most people think that it can cure everything from headaches to chronic back pain. In reality, the practice can be dangerous if not performed correctly. For your safety, you should only have acupuncture done by a licensed practitioner. While the treatment is generally safe, you should always disclose any medical conditions or allergies to the practitioner. People with bleeding disorders, low platelet counts, or those on blood thinners should avoid acupuncture. Additionally, if you are pregnant, tell the practitioner immediately. Some acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.
Acupuncture is an ancient treatment that relies on the insertion of hair-thin needles into the skin. These needles are placed at acupuncture points throughout the body. Acupuncture is believed to relieve pain by stimulating the nervous system and releasing natural pain killers and immune system cells. Once the needles are inserted, the patient is required to wait for a few hours before the pain reappears.
Acupuncture is complication-free
A network meta-analysis of 177 articles evaluating acupuncture for pain relief was conducted in July 2019. It found evidence of the short-term efficacy of acupuncture to be complication-free. This review also found evidence of long-term pain management through non-pharmacological interventions, such as pain education, lifestyle changes, and physical therapies. Acupuncture is available through some NHS departments and is administered by Allied Health Professionals, including Nurses and Doctors. Other sources of acupuncture for pain relief include sports therapists, osteopaths, and chiropractors.
Patients undergoing acupuncture for pain management after cesarean delivery should be told about any underlying health conditions. During pregnancy, needling should be avoided in the abdominal or lumbosacral areas. Because needling in these areas can stimulate early delivery of the fetus, acupuncture during pregnancy may result in abortion. However, this is not a common problem, as acupuncture has been proven to be safe for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.
