The principles of acupuncture are firmly grounded in science.
Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture is fairly new to the Western world, however it has been used in China effectively for thousands of years. I believe this amazing practice will be more available to the public through education and experience.
Traditional Chinese medicine explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the complementary extremes of yin and yang of the life force known as gi or chi. Qi flows through meridians (pathways) in the human body. Through almost 400 acupuncture points in the body, this flowing life energy in the meridians can be accessed. Physical or mental illnesses are the consequence of an imbalance of the forces. If needles are inserted into these points with appropriate combinations, the energy flow can be brought back into proper balance. So the acupuncture points don't have any magical properties; they are simply convenient locations to needle. For instance, the most important acupuncture points located along the spine are directly connected to the nerves that supply the internal organs. I don’t think this is coincidence.
In Western societies, acupuncture is explained including concepts of neuroscience. Acupuncture points are seen by Western practitioners as places where nerves, muscles and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow while at the same time triggering the activity of our own body's natural painkillers such as opioids and serotonin.
World Health Organization indications ‘for which acupuncture has been proved through clinical trials to be an effective treatment:'
Respiratory: allergic rhinitis
Gastrointestinal: biliary colic, dysentery, epigastralgia (in peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis and gastro spasm), morning sickness, nausea and vomiting
Pain: facial pain, headache, knee pain, low back pain, neck pain, dental pain, periarthritis of the shoulder, postoperative pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, sprain, tennis elbow
Gynecological/renal: colic, primary dysmenorrhea, induction of labor, correction of malposition of fetus
Cardiovascular: hypertension, hypotension, stroke.
Psychiatric: depression (including depressive neurosis and depression following stroke)
General: adverse reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, leukopenia
All therapies have benefits and risks.
The risks of acupuncture are:
- It should not be performed if the patient has a bleeding disorder or taking blood thinners
- There may be bleeding, bruising and soreness at the insertion sites
- The needle may break and damage an internal organ (very rare)
- When inserted deeply into the chest or upper back there is a risk of collapsed lung (very rare)
- Unsterilized needles may infect the patient – I use the safe needle protocol dictated by the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
The benefits of acupuncture are:
- When performed correctly by registered practitioner it is safe
- There are very few side effects
- It is a very effective combination treatment
- It is effective in controlling some types of pain, a useful alternative for patients who do not want to take pain medications
- It may be considered for patients who do not respond to pain medications
Hulya Heeney, D.Ac.Lc., Acupuncturist