ACUPUNCTURE ACUPUNCTURE

HISTORY OF ACUPUNCTURE Practiced in China for over 4,000 years Traditional Chinese medical technique for unblocking chi Acupuncture is the insertion of needles in specific points on the body These insertion points are believed to correspond with 14 main pathways within the body called meridians It is designed to correct any imbalances in the body which may give rise to disease or illness.

WHAT EXACTLY IS CHI? Chi is an energy that, according to ancient Chinese beliefs, permeates all things Chi must be able to flow freely throughout the body in order for a person to maintain overall health Chi flows along the meridians of the body

WHERE DO YIN AND YANG FIT IN? Acupuncture needles are inserted in an attempt to balance the opposing forces of yin and yang Yin and yang are balanced when a person is healthy and chi is therefore able to flow freely Injury or illness cause yin and yang to become distressed and unbalanced

WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE USED TO TREAT? Depression Arthritis Kidney problems Flu Fatigue Chronic pain Migraines Paralysis Hypertension Tendonitis Vision problems Sexual Dysfunction And many others…

MEDICAL BASIS TO ACUPUNCTURE Acupuncture is not based on modern medical science There is no obvious correlation between the 14 identified meridians and the actual location of organs and nerves within the body Some proponents of acupuncture have attempted to explain its medical function

RESEARCH ON ACUPUNCTURE Many scientific studies on acupuncture are still in the early stages Subjectivity One controlled study done by Melzack and Katz compared electroacupuncture of the ear to placebo stimulation This study found acupuncture to be no more effective than lightly touching the ear in relieving chronic pain Three Dutch epidemiologists analyzed 51 controlled studies of acupuncture in 1991 Their conclusion: “…the quality of even the better studies proved to be mediocre…The efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain remains doubtful.” (Kleijnen, et al)

POSSIBLE MEDICAL EXPLANATIONS Stimulation of natural painkilling chemicals such as endorphins Needles block the transmission of pain impulses to the CNS Many hospitals and doctors that use acupuncture use it only as complementary therapy or “last hope” therapy Example: DUMC

BUT THERE ARE RISKS… Bladder or lung puncture Allergic reaction to needles Infection from unsterilized needles Fainting Convulsions Nerve Damage