What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical therapy used for over 2,000 years. It involves a wide range of therapeutic methods, not just needles. Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea have developed acupuncture techniques.
Acupuncture involves inserting skinny needles through the skin at strategic places on the body. An essential element of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is beneficial for managing pain and overall wellness, including stress control.
Does acupuncture cause pain?
When acupuncture needles are put in, most patients feel minimal discomfort. After the therapy, patients generally report feeling energetic or calm. However, transient pain from the needles is to be expected. Due to the implantation of needles, you may experience tingling or a dull aching, but you should not feel any severe pain. Notify your doctor immediately if this occurs.
Who is an acupuncturist?
Certified acupuncturists are health professionals who have completed acupuncture training. Their newly acquired skill of penetrating the skin with fine needles treats many medical issues. They reposition the needles or stimulate them with electrical currents to begin healing.
Acupuncturists find space in two categories: those with a license in acupuncture and those without. At least 200 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of clinical practice are required for certification as an accredited acupuncturist by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). Programs and credentials, on the other hand, differ from state to state.
What is the education history of an acupuncturist?
Since acupuncture is a master's degree program, interested students must first earn a bachelor's degree in a related discipline, such as massage therapy, yoga, or public health. The second step requires individuals to register in an accredited acupuncture school for a master's or doctorate after graduation. Then, they must study traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture for three to five years.
The majority of jurisdictions require acupuncturists to be licensed by the state. Acupuncturists in the US must be certified by the National Certification Commission to practice acupuncture and oriental medicine. The NCCAOM exam is commonly required to practice acupuncture and naturopathy in the United States. Doctors of Oriental Medicine (DOMs) and acupuncturists (Acupuncture Physicians) are licensed in the United States. Acupuncturists in most areas are known as "Licensed Acupuncturists" (LAc).
What are some of the common ailments that acupuncturists treat?
Below are some of the common ailments that are curable by acupuncture:
- Nausea and vomiting triggered by chemotherapy or surgery
- Dental pains
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches, such as tension headaches and migraines
- Labor pains
- Lower back pain
- Inflammation of the cervical spine
- Osteoarthritis
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Asthma, eczema, and other respiratory ailments
- Tennis elbow
Complimentary role of acupuncture in mental health
Acupuncture, as a holistic therapy, is a valuable option for individuals seeking help with mental health issues. To determine if integrating acupuncture into your mental health treatment plan is a suitable choice, explore the advantages of this complementary technique to make an informed decision.
Acupuncture has demonstrated its effectiveness as a valuable tool in treating various mental health issues. Its benefits extend to the enhancement of overall well-being and stress reduction, making it a valuable resource for individuals grappling with a wide range of mental health conditions. Essentially, acupuncture optimizes bodily functions by triggering the release of endorphins, regulating hormone levels, and improving blood circulation.
In the mental health arena, acupuncture has garnered particular attention for its positive impact on individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders. Given its influence on the body's nervous system, acupuncture holds significant appeal for those living with these conditions, as it has the potential to alleviate the severity of symptoms and promote a heightened sense of overall mental well-being.
Versatile application of acupuncture
Acupuncture plays a valuable role in the mental health community as it can be utilized as a standalone treatment or with various other therapeutic approaches. It offers individuals the flexibility to benefit from its advantages in different ways:
- Standalone treatment: Acupuncture can serve as a primary treatment method for individuals seeking to address mental health issues independently. It provides a holistic approach to well-being and can be helpful for those who prefer alternative or complementary therapies.
- Complementary treatment: Acupuncture, alongside traditional therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), can be equally helpful. Combining acupuncture with these evidence-based methods can enhance the overall treatment plan and provide a more comprehensive approach to mental health care.
- Holistic integration: Many individuals combine acupuncture with other holistic practices, like yoga or mindfulness meditation. This integration of complementary therapies can create a synergistic effect, promoting emotional balance and overall well-being.
Ultimately, how to reap the benefits of acupuncture treatment depends on individual preferences, the nature and intensity of the mental health condition, and the recommendations of a practicing acupuncturist near you. The versatility of acupuncture allows it to address mental health concerns in a personalized and holistic manner.
Who should avoid acupuncture treatment?
Despite the myriad advantages of acupuncture, it is only suitable for some. Here is a list of people who should avoid a visit to an acupuncturist:
- Infants and kids under the age of two
- Patients who are extremely ill or elderly
- People who have a weakened immune system
- People who have a bleeding disorder or have lost a significant amount of blood
- In the case of extremely weak patients, they are malnourished, have low blood sugar levels, or have fainted as a result of tiredness and fatigue.
- Significantly hypotensive individuals
- Highly anxious patients or those who are extremely afraid of needles
- Acupuncture is typically safe for most pregnant women, although some acupuncture points should not be used during this period.
What are some of the techniques used by acupuncturists?
Acupuncturists use a variety of tools in addition to needles. Stimulation also occurs with heat, pressure, friction, or electromagnetic pulses.
In addition to these, acupuncturists use the following methods to help patients with their ailments:
Moxibustion
The acupuncturist also burns moxa, a cone-shaped stick made of mugwort leaves, to relieve tension and pain.
Cupping
Moving blood and breaking up connective tissue by utilizing glass cups as suction on the skin.
Gua sha
Rubbing the skin with a rough or abrasive object stimulates blood flow and discharges heat.
Electroacupuncture
Moving qi and contracting muscles can be done by applying electricity to needles.
Ion pumping:
Using one-way, electron-moving cables for osmotic concentrations in tissues.
Benefits and risks of acupuncture treatment in pain management
In recent years, acupuncture has been increasingly used as a treatment for pain management. There are many potential benefits of acupuncture for pain management, including:
- Acupuncture can help to relieve both chronic and acute pain.
- Acupuncture is a drug-free pain management option.
- Acupuncture can treat various pain conditions, including headaches, back pain, neck pain, and arthritis.
Moreover, there can always be risks associated with any medical treatment, including acupuncture. The most common risk of acupuncture is experiencing pain at the needle insertion site. Other risks may include dizziness, fainting, bruising, or feeling nauseous. More severe but rarer risks may include infections, organ punctures, and broken needles. Consult a licensed and professional acupuncturist before starting any new treatment plan.
Benefits and risks of acupuncture in diabetes management
Acupuncture techniques for treating type 1 and type 2 diabetes vary significantly, reflecting the different approaches found in Western medicine. Each technique is tailored to address specific symptoms of diabetes. For instance, certain acupuncture methods focus on weight loss, metabolism improvement, organ function enhancement, and nerve pain alleviation. One well-studied technique for diabetic neuropathy is the wrist-ankle treatment, which involves deep stimulation of nerves in these areas.
Acupuncture can help reduce pain for diabetes patients. Diabetes is related to the endocrine system, where hormones regulate sugar levels. Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, hormones that induce positive feelings and block pain. This mechanism may alleviate the discomfort often associated with diabetes.
Additionally, acupuncture might help regulate sugar levels by affecting cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. Practitioners believe that acupuncture triggers hormone reactions that balance the body's sugar regulation. This approach is advantageous because it avoids the harmful side effects that some pharmaceutical treatments can cause.
Although acupuncture is generally safe, there are some risks and limitations. A 2017 review found no serious side effects from acupuncture for diabetes. Typical side effects include soreness, minor bleeding, and bruising at needle sites. It is essential to ensure all needles are removed before leaving the session. Acupuncture is not recommended for pregnant women, those with blood diseases like hepatitis or HIV, or those with bleeding conditions such as hemophilia or vitamin K deficiency.
Acupuncture offers various benefits for diabetes management. It can reduce pain, support weight loss, improve metabolism, enhance organ function, and regulate sugar levels. Its potential to stimulate beneficial hormones without adverse side effects makes it a valuable complementary treatment for diabetes.
What to expect during an acupuncture session?
An acupuncture session usually lasts for about 30 minutes. During this time, the acupuncturist will insert needles into specific points on your body. You may feel discomfort when the needle pricks your skin. Some people feel relaxed during treatment, while others feel tingling.
After the needles get inserted, the acupuncturist will leave the room for a few minutes to allow you to rest. During this time, you can concentrate on deep breathing and relaxation. After a few minutes, the acupuncturist will return to remove the needles.
Acupuncture is safe when administered by a skilled and certified practitioner. You may experience bruising or soreness at the point where the needles get inserted. These side effects are often mild and short-lived.
How many acupuncture sessions will you need?
The number of acupuncture sessions you will need depends on many factors, including the intensity of your pain, the cause of your pain, and your response to acupuncture. Most people benefit from six to eight or eight to twelve acupuncture treatments. However, depending on their circumstances, some people may need more or fewer treatments.
Finding an acupuncturist near you in Philadelphia
Visiting an acupuncturist can be a new and unique experience for many. To ensure your experience is positive, you must choose the best acupuncturist in your area. This can be a task, but Zocdoc is here to simplify it.
It takes just a website or a mobile app to make an informed decision about your medical practitioner. On Zocdoc, you can search for the best acupuncturists in your radius from an extensive database, including their detailed bio. You can also refine the search by gender and language spoken by the provider.
In addition, Zocdoc offers consumers the ability to select from some of the highest-rated doctors and medical professionals that fit perfectly into their insurance plan. Choosing the insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down box will list all the doctors that meet your search criteria and the available appointment times.
If you prefer not to share your insurance information with your provider, you have options on Zocdoc. When booking an appointment, you'll be asked to provide your insurance details or confirm that you'll pay out of pocket. Some providers require insurance information to schedule an appointment. If you don't have insurance or choose not to use it, you can search for another provider on Zocdoc who accommodates your preference. For more insurance-related questions, you can visit Zocdoc's patient help center.
You can use the verified patient ratings and reviews to help you choose an acupuncturist near you that fits all your requirements. Booking appointments on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and completely free!
Vital acupuncture stats
As of 2015, about 14 million Americans had tried acupuncture as a treatment. It is estimated that in 1992, 5,460 licensed acupuncturists practiced across the US There were 28,761 acupuncturists in 2009, 34,481 by 2015, and 37,886 active licensed acupuncturists in the United States on January 1, 2018.
Acupuncture is rarely utilized in place of conventional medical treatments. Still, it is often used with the latter, especially in treating and managing pain caused by arthritis or other musculoskeletal diseases. In Pennsylvania, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (2021), arthritis is among the top five most prevalent chronic diseases, with almost 2.8 million people affected.
Sources
WebMD
Research Gate
University of Minnesota
Pacific College of Health and Science
Medical News Today
Kaiser Permanente
Mayo Clinic
Delray Center for Integrative Medicine
Pennsylvania Department of Health
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Healthline
