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What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the stimulation of points by the insertion of needles to prevent or modify the perception of pain, normalize function, and treat certain diseases or dysfunctions of the body.
Acupuncture treats and strengthens the physical condition and controls pain. The aim, as practiced in oriental medicine, is not necessarily to eliminate or alleviate symptoms. The objective, rather, is to increase both the ability to function and the quality of life.
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Acupuncture is a therapy that uses natural laws and energetics with the application of needles and pressure to specific points on the body. Acupuncture is based on the belief that health is determined by a balanced flow of qi (also referred to as chi), the vital life energy present in all living organisms.
When acupuncture needles are inserted into acupoints (just under the skin), they help correct and rebalance the flow of energy and consequently relieve pain and/or restore health. The flow of energy through these pathways helps to maintain good health. When the flow of energy is blocked for any reason, there is disruption of health, resulting in pain and illness. By stimulating appropriate acupuncture points along these meridians, the energy is released and regulated, and health may be restored.
There are numerous conditions that acupuncture can treat, including migraines, sinusitis, the common cold, tonsillitis, asthma, inflammation of the eyes, addictions, myophia, gastrointestinal disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, Meniere’s disease, tennis elbow, speech aphasia, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. Acupuncture has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of a variety of rheumatoid conditions and pain management.
Acupuncture
Information Links
- Acubriefs.com
The most comprehensive database of references on acupuncture
in the English language.
- NIH
Consensus Statement
In November 1997 a consensus conference was held to discuss
issues concerning the place of acupuncture in medicine.
The paper describes some of the problems inherent in doing
research in acupuncture. Nonetheless, the consensus
conference supported the academy's position: "It works!"
- Acupuncture:
HealthWorld Online
What?
What Happens When You Have Acupuncture?
Which?
Which Diseases Can be Helped by Acupuncture?
When?
The History of Acupuncture in the West
- Acupuncture.com
A good general information resource for acupuncture and
TCM.
- Mircrocurrent
Research, Inc
an effective and advanced Electro-Therapeutic Pain Management
System. Home Study program and the latest equipment.
- Current
Bibliographies in Medicine - Acupuncture
This is a wonderful collection of references on studies
looking at Acupuncture since around 1970. Over 2,000
citations with help from the National Library of Medicine.
The list was compiled for the November 1997 consensus
conference on acupuncture.
- American
Whole Health
This is a general alternative medicine page with a host
of helpful acupuncture links. Also there is a very helpful
list of acupuncture references listed from 1990-1995 broken
down into useful categories.
- Journal
of Chinese Medicine
A journal from England with high quality information and
links for people interested in Acupuncture and Traditional
Chinese Medicine.
- NIH
Consensus Statement
Read or download (PDF, 160K) from NIH.
- NIH/NLM
Over 2,000 citations since around 1970. NIH with National
Library of Medicine.
- American
Wholehealth; Acupuncture
Acupuncture info & references between 1990-1997.
- Acupuncture
Reference, Resource, and Education
- 5
Element Acupuncture Information
non profit site providing basic information about 5 Element
Acupuncture
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