Acupuncture (accupuncture) history and benefits
Acupuncture (accupuncture)(from Lat. acus, 'needle', and pungere, 'prick') is a therapeutic technique from that framework intended to restore health and well-being. Acupuncture originated in China, and dates back to the Neolithic Era (c. 2,500 BC) when stone needles were used in place of today's finely manufactured ones. Chinese medicine,  which incorporates acupuncture into its many treatments, is therefore considered to be the oldest and most widely used system of medicine in our history. Like all forms of Chinese healing traditions, acupuncture revolves around the concept of maintaining balance and harmony within the body. The term acupuncture ( accupuncture ) is often used by Westerners to refer to Chinese medicine generally. The technique involves the insertion of needles into 'acupuncture points' on the body by trained practitioners. The acupuncture needles most commonly used in present-day practice are made of stainless steel of very fine diameter (approximately .015"), sterilized with ethylene oxide or by autoclave. The upper third of these needles is wound with a thicker wire (typically bronze) to stiffen the needle, provide a handle for the acupuncturist to grasp while inserting the needle, and also provide a surface to which dried mugwort will more easily adhere.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine is the oldest medical book in China. It remains the foundation for the theory and philosophy on which Chinese medicine was founded. In this ancient text, nine different types of needles are mentioned as being used for acupuncture treatments, each one with a different tip and a precise length and width. The size of the acupuncture needles is dependent on the area of the body where they are to be used. For example, longer, thicker needles are used in areas where there is more 'cushioning' such as the buttocks, while small, thin needles are used where the flesh is thinner and closer to the bone. In either case, insertion of the acupuncture needles is quick and virtually painless. In some instances the needles are simply left in place, but more commonly, while inserted, the needles are gently moved using a rotating or pumping action. This frees the blockage and restores chi flow in the meridians, ultimately returning balance and healthy functioning to body systems and organs. These were used for a variety of conditions from rheumatic diseases to pediatrics.
 It is thought that when chi (life energy) becomes stagnant and the flow is disrupted, illness and disease result. In order to restore chi distribution, acupuncture needles are inserted into acupuncture points along the meridians (energetic pathways) of the body. Due to the large number of potential acupuncture points, (there are in excess of 350 acupoints on the meridians of the body) an acupuncturist carefully selects the points to be used on the basis of: pulse, tongue diagnosis, observation, examination and questioning.
From the information garnered, the acupuncture points are determined and acupuncture needles are inserted.
What can acupuncture treat?
Some of the conditions that accupuncture can help are:
allergies
arthritis and rheumatism
digestive problems
headaches and migraine
insomnia
morning sickness and labour pains
sinusitis
etc.
For most common ailments, acupuncture can be used safely, but should only be administered by a qualified practitioner who follows correct hygiene and sterilization procedures or uses disposable acupuncture needles.
As with any treatment, the patient must be comfortable, mentally and physically with the course they have chosen. Therefore, if you are apprehensive about having acupuncture needles inserted, you are probably best to avoid acupuncture therapy.
Author: · Prof. Borislav Dimov, Ph.D. /platinum membership/
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