Acupuncture therapy is used for therapeutic purposes. In this therapy, specific points or acupoints of the human body are stimulated by using various methods for example inserting and influencing thin metallic needles of diameter 0.18 mm to 0.51 mm. Needles can be handled either by hand or by electrical stimulation. Nowadays, more and more people are suffering from mild to chronic diseases. Many people are now going for the traditional Chinese medication technique, acupuncture.
Acupuncture therapy stimulates the nerves in the spinal cord and thus facilitates the release of certain pain-reduction neurotransmitter, which ultimately relieves the pain. Acupuncture is mostly done for treatment of musculoskeletal pain in U.S. Acupuncture is frequently used to help people deal with unpleasant symptoms of menopause, stop smoking, control allergies and decrease intensity of migraines.
In the treatment of the bronchial asthma, diabetes, residual paralysis of polio, deafness, arthritis–joint pains, back–ache, cervical spondylosis, head pain, osteoarthritis, knee joint, frozen shoulder, hypertension, sciatica, hemiplegia, paraplegia, migraine, speech disorders, allergy, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, insomnia and many other conditions, acupuncture therapy is very effective. Acupuncture therapy has number of advantages. Certain disadvantages are also related with this therapy.
Advantages of Acupuncture therapy:
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for therapeutic purposes according to the WHO (World Health Organization). The main idea behind acupuncture is to renovate and preserve health by working on vital energy (Qi) points of the body, according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Acupuncture therapy is widely used by acupuncturists, dentists, physicians and other health practitioners to relieve pain and several other health related problems.
- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has disclosed that acupuncture has lower adverse effects on the human body, as compared to the prescribed medications and other medical procedures followed for treating similar conditions.
- Acupuncture provides relief to the patient from physical as well as mental ailments.
- The treatment helps to remove toxins and helps fast healing, because it increases blood flow, when the needles are inserted into the strategic locations of the human body.
- In an effort to remove the root causes of a health problem, the treatment examines the entire human body and its relation to the environment.
- It is equally beneficial for people with low immunity.
- It increases stamina, restores energy, regulates hormones and boosts the immune system of the body.
- Acupuncture is a natural substitute to medicine, because the treatment aims to reduce pain naturally.
- Since acupuncture works on the vital energy (Qi) points of the body, it restores and maintains the overall health.
- Acupuncture is a natural remedy for a number of diseases including headache, back pain, insomnia, stress and fatigue. Apart from this, the treatment is effective in curing chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, hearing loss, dental pain, asthma, diabetes, infertility, migraine, tennis elbow, allergies and hypertension.
- The treatment of acupuncture is appropriate for all age groups, from children, adults to even senior citizens.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture therapy:
- Acupuncture might not be advisable for patients who suffers from certain bleeding disorder and for patients on blood thinners.
- Acupuncture is safe only when it is carried out by a trained and licensed acupuncturist.
- The needles for the treatment should be non-toxic and used only once. They should be properly labeled and sealed. The patient may suffer from various infectious diseases, if the needles are re-used or not sterile.
- Improper placement of needle can lead to bleeding, swelling and painful sensation in the acupunctured areas of the body.
- The effectiveness of acupuncture cannot be generalized. Its effect varies from person to person.
- Few complications have been accounted due to the use of needles. If the needles are not inserted properly, it may lead to organ rupture or infection.
- Acupuncture is not suggested for damaged body parts, such as broken bones.
- Although the treatment removes the root cause of a number of diseases, it is still not able to detect certain other diseases prevalent among people.
- The patient can incur mild soreness in the acupunctured areas in his/her body, after the completion of the treatment.
- Some of the points to be noted while performing acupuncture techniques are – The practitioner should swab the treatment sites with disinfectants such as alcohol before inserting needles. Needles should be used only once (for one patient) and after completion, needles should be disposed properly.
- Every person responds differently to acupuncture and hence, effectiveness of this technique varies for every patient. Some may require doing more than 10 sessions in order to have long lasting benefits.
Areas which are prohibited from acupuncture therapy:
- Points on prominent blood vessels
- Side and back of neck
- Nipple or breast tissue
- Burns, ulcer, eczema etc.
- Umbilicus (moxibustion and cupping can be done)
- External genitalia
Some limitations of acupuncture therapy:
- Malignancy treatment is under trial
- Very old, dying and debilitated patient
- Hemophilia
- Surgical indications like fracture, dislocation harelip, cleft palate
- Mechanical obstruction like intestinal obstruction, foreign body in nose volvulus etc
Possible complications related with acupuncture therapy:
- Pain due to unskilled acupuncturist or anxious patient
- Pain due to blunt, hooked or forgotten needle
- Bleeding. Just press it.
- Infection, Extremely rare
