Alternative Family Health Treatments – Acupuncture

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The world is facing a phenomenon for the first time in history, that of an increased population of older adults (baby boomers) versus adolescents, young adults, and children. The birth rate has slowed dramatically and, in some parts of the world where overpopulation was a serious issue, governments no longer have to worry. Medical advances mean that people are living longer. Adults, for the most part, no longer have to be hunter/gatherers and can instead focus on healthy lives filled with ease and comfort. People no longer have to live with chronic pain and anguish. A pop of a pill is not always the answer though, and more individuals are seeking alternatives. The fastest rising trend in healthcare is in the field of Oriental Medicine and, in particular, acupuncture.

Acupuncture should not be thought of as a current “fad”. The practice has existed for over two thousand years and has been used extensively in China. Only in recent years has it gained recognition within Western medicine for its vast healing properties, and the amount of illness that it is capable of treating, such as chronic back pain, depression, and even nausea associated with chemotherapy. Many people turn to acupuncture because it is not as invasive as typical medical procedures, the recovery time is far less, and there are very minimal side effects.

The procedure begins with an initial consultation with the licensed acupuncturist, akin to a standard office visit. There are questions asked regarding past medical history, a standard physical, and then the areas which need to be addressed during the acupuncture session. It is comparative to a visit to the chiropractor where the issue is not solved with one visit, as acupuncture often takes many visits to find relief, though many patients report some immediate alleviation to the pain.

During acupuncture, a series of thin, solid needles are inserted at different points into the body. There are more than two thousand of these points that run along what are called meridians, or pathways. There are fourteen pathways within the body that keep the body’s energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), flowing. It is believed that when these meridians become blocked, then illness occurs. After insertion, the needles are then manipulated by various means, and the patient is left to relax for a period of time. Once that time has expired, the needles are removed. It most often takes several visits to work on a painful problem, so instantaneous relief should not be expected.

Acupuncture is more common than most individuals think, being used in small hospitals, halfway houses, drug treatment programs, and even jails, as a means to help people lead longer, healthier live, ones that might normally be lived under the duress of chronic pain, addiction, or depression. Acupuncture will continue to be a solid alternative to standard medical treatments. Scientists will continue to monitor its results and perhaps every community in the world will take note of its curative properties. Maybe then individuals can start concentrating on other things in life, other than pain and misery.