Acupuncture is an alternative medicine practice gaining momentum in the West, with a history of common usage in East Asia. Originating in China, acupuncture is essentially the careful insertion of thin needles at specific body points commonly called pressure/acupuncture points. The insertion of the needle is supposed to adjust the flow of energy within the body, following principles of ancient Chinese medicinal knowledge. Many of these acupuncture points are connected to channels called meridians, where the energy of the body (qi) flows continuously. The correct placement of needles in these acupuncture points provide treatment both for general body conditions (such as high blood pressure) and specific area conditions (such as recurrent stomach pain).
Treatment with acupuncture also varies by the number of needles and the amount of time the needles are left in the body. Acupuncture is believed to help relieve stress, manage pain, and in some cases, treat symptoms of certain diseases. Consulting a professional acupuncturist can help you determine the right kind of acupuncture for your personal needs. The wealth of positive responses to acupuncture and the obvious evidence of its wide range of use in East Asia makes it worth trying.
The thought of acupuncture can be intimidating to first-timers, even if the probable discomfort of a needle is far less daunting than the pain of running 26.2 miles. Here are the facts:
- Acupuncture is done with acupuncture pins, not with needles. These are small thin solid pins as tiny as a strand of hair and in most cases, flexible. Since the pins are sterile, solid and not hollowed, they're rarely painful.
- Needles used to give you an injection are hollow so that the drug being given can pass into your body and that blood can be drawn from your body.
- There's a huge difference between pain and qi. Pain hurts and is very different from the sensation of qi. When a patient feels qi from acupuncture, they'll feel a zing feeling in the area or a tingling. The qi can also resonate like a musical note does.
These tips are intended to “tame” your trepidations if you're considering yourself as a newbie to acupuncture:
Face the facts. There's no way around it. Acupuncture involves needles. Sounds obvious, but it's important to accept this fact before booking your appointment.
Gain without the pain. Despite what you may think, acupuncture doesn't hurt that much. An acupuncture expert explains that, unlike a physician's needle that is thick and filled with fluid, acupuncture needles are thinner. In fact, if one were to be held 7 or 8 feet away, you wouldn't see it at all.
Needles are fresh and clean. Acupuncture needles are always 100 percent sterile and disposed of after use. A professional will never use them over and over again.
Eat lightly. Although it's important to eat food to prevent dizziness or nausea, you should avoid over-indulging before a session. Stick to a snack consumed a few hours prior to your appointment.
Find out what's popping. If you're currently taking vitamins, herbs or medications, consult your provider to determine whether you should continue doing so prior to and in between sessions.
Convert pain to enjoyment. In most cases, acupuncture can give immediate relief from pain. It's not uncommon to feel at least some improvement on the appointment day.
Don't rush it. The overall effect of acupuncture can take a few treatments. It's important that you commit to these treatments in order to achieve the cumulative results.
It's in the zone. Acupuncture provides a new-found sense of pain relief and overall restoration. Some of the clients describe that they feel as though they're "in a zone."
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