Acupuncture, as a practice, originated thousands of years ago from China, but has only become quite popular in the Western world these past two decades. It is a technique that makes use of hair-thin acupuncture needles which are then inserted in the skin. Acupuncture therapy works by stimulating specific interconnected points, also known as meridians, throughout the body. The limbs and organs along these meridians respond to the stimulation of acupuncture needles.
The question of why acupuncture works, let alone how it works, has not yet been fully understood by Western medicine. However, recent studies have shown that acupuncture does indeed have numerous health benefits. Acupuncture therapy is a helpful addition to a weight loss program; a remedy for sinus headaches, asthma and eczema; and, an aid for people who wish to quit smoking.
How Acupuncture Needles Work
Acupuncture therapy is a series of weekly treatments, where the patient is given a physical exam, followed by the patient’s assessment of his condition then finally, the insertion of acupuncture needles. Each acupuncture therapy session lasts for about thirty minutes. Prior to the insertion of the acupuncture needles, the person is required to lie down facing up or down or sideways. A seasoned acupuncturist makes use of single-use sterile-packed acupuncture needles. The procedure may sound painful, needles and all, but it really is not. The closest to pain you could probably feel will be the sharp but mild pain during the insertion of the acupuncture needles.
Acupuncture Needles: A Variety of Choices
Acupuncture needles come in variety. They are available in: tube copper, without tube copper, with tube extra long copper, golden coated, spiral handle, right hand, Nickel-coated, steel handle, flat handle or aluminium handle.
Most of the acupuncturists prefer to use the stainless steel acupuncture needles because they are very thin and quite flexible. These types of acupuncture needles allow greater maneuvering on the part of the acupuncturist since these single-use, disposable acupuncture needles are only inserted peripherally. There are also some who use ultra fine, soft, solid silver acupuncture needles. These types of acupuncture needles are only touched to the meridians and are not really inserted into the skin.
The introduction of acupuncture therapy into the Western world has made it a refreshing addition to a seemingly endless discovery in the world of Western medicine. The use of acupuncture needles to treat or help cure certain health problems have come as a necessarily unpleasant therapy.
