FAQS
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners stimulate specific points on the body—most often by inserting thin needles through the skin. It is one of the practices used in traditional East Asian medicine.
Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles which are then activated through gentle and specific movements of the practitioner’s hands or with electrical stimulation.
Are there any side effects associated with Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles. Improperly performed acupuncture can cause serious side effects.
Relatively few complications from using acupuncture have been reported. Still, complications have resulted from use of nonsterile needles and improper delivery of treatments.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices for use by licensed practitioners and requires that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.
What is Acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dental pain. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
How does Acupuncture affect the body?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:
- Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
- Dental pain after surgery
- Addiction
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Asthma
It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.
What are some health conditions that may benefit from Acupuncture?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:
- Digestive – Gastritis – Irritable bowel syndrome – Hepatitis – Hemorrhoids
- Emotional – Anxiety – Depression – Insomnia – Nervousness – Neurosis
- Eye-Ear-Throat – Rhinitis – Sinusitis – Sore throat
- Gynecological – Menstrual pain – Infertility
- Musculoskeletal – Arthritis – Back pain – Muscle cramping – Muscle pain and weakness – Neck pain – Sciatica
- Neurological – Headaches – Migraines – Neurogenic bladder dysfunction – Parkinson’s disease – Postoperative pain – Stroke
- Respiratory – Allergic rhinitis – Sinusitis – Bronchitis
- Miscellaneous – Irritable bladder – Prostatitis – Male infertility – Some forms of impotence – Addiction