Everything You Need to Know About Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment has been used in China for over 3,000 years, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that it caught on in the United States. In this article, we’ll talk about what it is, how it works, and how you can get started with the treatment today. Read along to discover the basics of this ancient treatment that has slowly become more and more popular in recent years.
The History of Acupuncture Therapy
Over 5,000 years ago, it was first documented in an ancient Chinese medical textbook, Shang Han Lun. The text explained that by inserting and manipulating fine, solid needles into specific points on meridians (the body’s energy pathways), practitioners could treat disease and promote overall health.
It’s believed that these techniques are thought to have been created by Yellow Emperor (Huang Di), who lived over 5,000 years ago. It’s also believed that the treatment has its roots in prehistoric practices like trepanning and magnet therapy. Today there are about 2 million practicing acupuncturists worldwide, with at least 6 million patients receiving treatment annually. Making it one of the most commonly used complementary therapies in modern medicine today.
How Does It Work?
It involves putting very thin needles into specific points in your body, called meridians. It’s not just about physical pain but also about emotional and mental health. Practitioners believe that an energy force called qi flows through these meridians, connecting different parts of your body with each other and influencing aspects of your physical and emotional well-being. By placing needles at certain points, practitioners can redirect qi to help promote health and fight disease.
Common Treatable Conditions
The most common conditions treatable by acupuncture therapy include chronic pain, musculoskeletal problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. All of these issues are easily corrected with needles, an age-old remedy to a variety of ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that illness and disease may be caused by blockages in specific pathways in your body’s qi. The needles unblock these channels and restore balance to your qi.
What Happens During an Acupuncture Treatment?
The session begins with a brief consultation between you and your acupuncturist. They may ask you some questions about your medical history, lifestyle, diet, etc. The goal of the consultation is to determine what treatment would be best for you. During the treatment session, your practitioner will manipulate needles in specific points on your body called acupoints.
Once inserted into your skin and muscles, these needles are rotated or gently moved up and down to treat pain or relax tense muscles; an action called moxibustion. They’ll then leave them in place to promote relaxation and healing while they’re under pressure from clothing or a bandage wrap. Sessions typically last anywhere from 15-60 minutes, depending on how many points are being treated.
How to Choose the Right Acupuncturist?
Before you get treated, there are certain steps you can take to make sure that your acupuncturist has what it takes to treat you properly. You’ll want to first look into their qualifications—is he or she licensed? Does he or she hold any special certifications or degrees?
It’s also important to interview your acupuncturist to make sure that he or she has a thorough understanding of Western medical principles, such as anatomy and physiology. While some acupuncturists may be experts in Chinese medicine, not all are trained to treat patients whose conditions have been diagnosed by a doctor.
If you’re in Oakland Park Florida looking for acupuncture treatment, The Spine and Joint Center is the place to be. The Spine and Joint Center in Oakland Park Florida is one of the best places to seek this type of treatment as their doctors are well trained to offer quality services.
