1. ACUPUNCTURE
ACUPUNCTURE

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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…

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

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