Archive for the ‘Acupuncture’ Category

Traditional Chinese Medicine – An introduction

Chinese medicine shop
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TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is often an alternative source of health medicine all over the world, dominating the Asian market to begin with. In fact, it is considered as the mainstream method of treatment all over in East Asia. The West is yet to accept it as a major force in the medical world as the majority of the Western society depends largely on allopathic remedies.

TCM is not a single dimensional way of treating people as it consists of various forms of treatments such as acupuncture, massage, herbs and dietary therapies. TCM’s roots are supposedly quite deep in to the history of ancient China. Arguably it is the kind of treatment that has been going on in China and East Asia for thousands of years. TCM is based on the clinical observation of Nature and how it interacts with the human body, and vice versa. It studies the cosmos as well to get deep in to the remedial system of human body system. TCM has got its practice majorly through family tradition as it has moved from one generation to the other to establish its dominance.

China is one of those countries who prefer to update themselves with modern technologies and advancements without refusing the history, culture and tradition. As a part of that, TCM has also been modernized in its application. Now the major ingredients of TCM, such as herbs and plants, are transformed in to tablets and soluble granules. China has its medication source from living creatures as well. The living creatures used for preparing TCM, which are about 25 in number, include frogs, earthworms, bees and snakes. Their key ingredients are now packed in sachets as pills. Another example of its modernization is that Artemisinin, an extensively used western drug to treat malaria, has got its inspiration from the major ingredients of TCM.

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Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese Medical practice where fine needles are inserted into specific parts of the body for the purpose of curing an illness. When the needles pierce through the body, they release blocked energy which is responsible for causing imbalances in health. This alternative medicine technique has been practiced in China for thousands of years and has been used to effectively treat health problems.

During an acupuncture session, the patient will lie flat on the table while the practitioner will insert needles into the body at various points. These points are gateways for the body’s energy flow. Acupuncture points redirect the energy to areas that are deficient. The needles inserted will be at an angle of 15 degree to 90 degrees. These needles can be manipulated by hand and they will be twisted depending on what the practitioner considers as right. Other motions that can be used include vibration, heating, cooling, and gentle electrification.

What can acupuncture help to treat? Acupuncture can strengthen the body’s immune system. This makes the body strong and also resistant to various illnesses such as infections, flu, and cold and so on. It can be used to treat psychological disorders such as phobias, eating disorders, anxiety, addictions and so on. Studies show that depression can be cured through acupuncture.

After surgery, acupuncture is highly effective in increasing vitality and body energy. Those with hypertension will find acupuncture to help them to control the problem and also give better energy levels. Today, everyone is interested in looking slim, but losing weight is not an easy task. Acupuncture is highly effective in bringing down weight by suppressing the appetite.

Those who have to take drugs for fighting off pain will find acupuncture to help reduce the need to take them frequently. It improves body circulation and in doing so energizes the body and strengthens it to fight off diseases. It has been noted that where various health medicines have failed to give adequate treatment, this form of Chinese medicine has proven to be quite effective.

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Acupuncture – An Effective Alternative Health Therapy

Cupping
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Many people try alternative health medicines because they fear the potential side effects that arise when using chemical-based medicines. The most popular alternative health therapy is Chinese Medicine. Though it has many techniques and practices, the most commonly known practice is acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 2000 years. In the past hundred years, it has spread to Europe, United States and also Canada. It is a much sought after form of treatment because it can effectively curb many health problems such as depression, inflammation, high blood pressure, vertigo, angina and obesity. Those who do not want to take pain medication will find acupuncture effective in helping them control pain.

How does acupuncture take place? As part of the acupuncture process, fine needles are inserted into the patient’s skin at various acupuncture body points. The needles are inserted at various depths. The acupuncture Chinese medicine treatment takes places over a couple of weeks or on a fortnightly basis. A typical treatment course lasts for twelve sessions or less and each session last for half an hour.

A person taking the treatment has to lie face-up or face-down, while the needles are being inserted. When the needles first pierce through the skin, the person will not experience any pain, but once the needles reach the correct depth a penetratingly acute stimulation is felt. At times, the practitioner may pre-heat the needles, or electrify them with minute amounts of electricity post insertion. The needles stay inserted for some 20 minutes time, after which they are carefully removed.

People who undergo acupuncture treatment feel quite invigorated and energized afterward. Their health problem also reduces and they do not experience any pain or side effects that can occur with normal drugs. Those who have undergone acupuncture Chines alternative medicine treatment show positive results in treatment outcome particularly when normal drugs and medial treatment have failed to bring a cure.

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Can Acupuncture Work for You?

Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago and in the early part of the 19th century, it spread to other parts of the world. Today it is one of the oldest medical procedures and also one that is reported to show considerable treatment benefits and positive outcome in curing health problems.

According to Chinese medicine, everything in nature is ruled by yin and yang forces. If there is an imbalance in these energies, it can result in health problem. The aim of Chinese medical treatment is to bring back this energy into a proper balance, so that health is restored again.

Any person who is considering acupuncture should inform the practitioner about their medical history. A typical acupuncture course is made up of twelve sessions. During an acupuncture session, fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points, or those areas of the body that have been marked out for the procedure. The needles are thin, solid, metallic ones and they can be manipulated by hand, else they can be stimulated through electricity. When the needles are heated, the process is called moxibustion. Here the acupuncturist will light up a small bunch of moxa herbs and holds it over the needles. The herb burns off slowly to give off some smoke and a pleasant incense-like smell. When electricity is used to heat the needles, electrical wires are hooked up to the needles and some weak current is passed through them. A mild, tingling sensation is felt during the treatment process.

Hardly any pain is felt by the person undergoing this Chinese alternative health medicine treatment and those who take it up feel relaxed, else they feel energized. Acupuncture needles are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use by licensed practitioners. The FDA also lays down safety procedures that need to be followed when practicing acupuncture.

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How can Acupuncture Treatment Benefit You?

Accupuncture and moxing
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Acupuncture is a very effective form of treatment because it can cure diseases without side effects. This is an ancient Chinese medicine health practice that has been used in China for more than 2000 years. Today it is popular in other parts of the world because it works as a satisfactory alternative health therapy.

What type of illnesses can acupuncture alternative health medicine cure? Acupuncture is effective in reducing sever chest pain – Angina caused by lack of blood and oxygen flow to the heart muscle. It is also useful in treating problems such as depression, numbness, headaches, fatigue, back pain and shoulder stiffness. It is quite effective in treating depression which is usually treated through chemical drugs that can cause side effects in the long-run.

With today’s hectic lifestyle, fatigue is a common problem. It can cause strained muscles and also insomnia. Acupuncture offers a solution to this problem and people suffering from tiredness report brisk sensation and an invigorating feeling after undergoing an acupuncture treatment session. Another health problem that acupuncture is effective in controlling is high blood pressure. The body releases polypeptides beta-endorphins during an acupuncture sessions and this can effectively control blood pressure. Those who are short-tempered will find acupuncture to offer them good relief from their health problems.

Women suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome find acupuncture an effective mechanism for controlling this problem. PMS symptoms such s body swelling, weight gain and other psychosomatic conditions can be brought under control through this technique. It has also proven to be effective in treating infertility and is known world-wide as being able to control this problem. You can also lose weight considerably with acupuncture. This is because it is effective in curbing cravings, controlling your appetite, which is the chief cause for obesity.

Acupuncture is a safe alternative medicine practice. Those seeking acupuncture treatment are advised to go to an experienced acupuncturist so that they can gain the complete benefits of this treatment form.

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Pin Migraine In Its Tracks With Acupuncture

Migraine victims are a harried lot. Managing their condition, while simultaneously working or going about their daily chores is next to impossible. As a result, migraine is the leading cause of employee absenteeism in the U.S., with 157 million workdays lost each year. Moreover, medication and related expenses eat up approximately 50 billion dollars a year.

Conventional medication can only give temporary relief from migraine, so many sufferers are turning to alternative treatments, diets, and lifestyle changes to treat the root cause. Traditional Chinese medicine has come as a ray of hope to many, as it focuses on a more holistic approach to curing an ailment. Acupuncture particularly has come under the spotlight as an effective treatment for migraine. Some might be inclined to dismiss it as just another health medicine fad, but it helps to remember that acupuncture as a method of healing is more than 2000 years old.

Acupuncture involves inserting fine, metallic needles at specific points of the body. One of the reasons for its rising popularity is that the effects are cumulative; a patient would need fewer sessions with the passage of time. Acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins, which provide relief from pain.

Many patients suffering from migraine undergo acupuncture to complement their current medications. Studies have shown that in most cases, patients report a significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of headaches after acupuncture. Such improvement translates into huge savings for individuals, employers, and economies, as migraine patients need no longer be restricted by their condition.

Acupuncture is fast gaining ground as a treatment for chronic pain, especially for headaches. The system has a growing user base in the U.S. Acupuncture is already well entrenched in Germany. Nearly all private insurers there reimburse acupuncture treatment costs.

Migraine can soon be a thing of the past if one uses the services of a licensed acupuncturist or traditional Chinese practitioner. Acupuncture, when done correctly without re-using needles, has practically no side-effects. It is also less expensive than most other migraine treatments.

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