Acupuncture is one of several popular alternative therapies tracing its roots to traditional medicine in China more than 5,000 years ago.

1. The Basis Of Acupuncture, The treatment assumes something called qi (pronounced key) – energy in living beings that passes through twelve meridians or invisible energy lines in the body. The key component of acupuncture treatment is the insertion of needles into key points on the meridian lines to renew balance. These extremely thin, metallic needles are aimed at specific anatomical points and controlled manually or by electrical stimulation. An individual usually feels relaxed and energized after acupuncture.

2. Increasing Acceptance, Increasing acceptance of acupuncture was highlighted by the National Health Interview Survey in 2002, which indicated that the number of American adults turning to the treatment surged from 2.1 million in 2001 to about 8.2 million the following year.

3. How Does It Really Work? Acupuncture reportedly induces the release of endorphins in the body, relieving an indivudal from pain. Many common ailments and undesirable conditions are addressed by acupuncture treatment.

4. Procedure, Variations of the treatment may involve use of herbal medicine – capsules, tablets or tea made from Chinese herbs to boost the therapy. Some practitioners also integrate cupping – a suction effect created with the use of glass cups on the skin, in part to promote blood circulation and continuous qi flow.

This concern, combined with statements from the NIH and other government and health organizations that side effects from acupuncture are significantly lower, has made more individuals turn to the treatment, particularly for pain relief. Several studies have also shown how acupuncture has helped patients with osteoarthritis, post-chemotherapy nausea and even depression.

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