Acupuncture May Be for You
By Gail Donahue
Acupuncture as a complementary
therapy, meaning that it is used together with conventional medicine practices,
is often utilized for pain management. Jennifer Rakus, Doctor of Chiropractic,
at Modern Chiropractic in Hamden, includes acupuncture in her practice. What is
acupuncture? Dr. Rakus answers that it is an ancient form of Chinese medicine
based on the theory that energy or chi flows through the body, through
meridians, and is responsible for health. Meridians, she explains, are channels
for the flow of energy. When chi is not balanced one’s health is compromised
and vulnerable to disease. The majority of Dr. Rakus’s patients use acupuncture
for musculoskeletal complaints, low back pain, neck pain, headaches. The
average number of treatments for these conditions is 6-8. She adds that some
people have a quicker response than others. A common response, she notes, is
not only alleviation of presenting complaints but a feeling of overall
wellbeing. As a chiropractor interested in restoring health through natural
means, lifestyle changes are also suggested: nutrition, posture and daily
physical activity. Acupuncture is also effective in treating sinus pain or
congestion and as a complement to addiction therapy. Different ways to
stimulate an acupuncture point, states Dr. Rakus, include heat, pressure and
needles with or without electrical stimulation. Dr. Rakus uses stainless steel
disposable single use needles.
Where does acupuncture fit in with modern medicine? Dr. Rakus answers this question by citing that, in recent years, the positive effects of acupuncture are evidenced by functional imaging, MRIs and brain imaging studies, which show that the area in the brain responsible for producing the body’s natural pain relieving neurochemicals are stimulated.
There are many articles to read and websites to visit which discuss in depth the origin of acupuncture, details of what and where meridians are and how they came to be named as well as whether or not acupuncture has any place at all alongside modern medicine. A website, www.shen-nong.com, offers a fascinating look into, as it states, the history, principles, practices and treatment methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health presents the following view: Results from a number of studies suggest that acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic such as low-back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches. Therefore, acupuncture appears to be a reasonable option for people with chronic pain to consider. However, clinical practice guidelines are inconsistent in recommendations about acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture on the brain and body and how best to measure them are only beginning to be understood. Current evidence suggests that many factors—like expectation and belief—that are unrelated to acupuncture needling may play important roles in the beneficial effects of acupuncture on pain. Don’t use acupuncture to postpone seeing a health care provider about a health problem.
The Mayo Clinic Staff gives the following answer to its question of why there is so little evidence about complementary and alternative medicine:
One reason for the lack of research in alternative treatments is that large, carefully controlled medical studies are costly. Trials for conventional therapies are often funded by big companies that develop and sell drugs. Fewer resources are available to support trials of CAM therapies. That’s why NCCAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, was established — to foster research into CAM and make the findings available to the public.
Acupuncture may or may not be a good choice to treat what ails you. One way to help you decide is to keep reading.
Where does acupuncture fit in with modern medicine? Dr. Rakus answers this question by citing that, in recent years, the positive effects of acupuncture are evidenced by functional imaging, MRIs and brain imaging studies, which show that the area in the brain responsible for producing the body’s natural pain relieving neurochemicals are stimulated.
There are many articles to read and websites to visit which discuss in depth the origin of acupuncture, details of what and where meridians are and how they came to be named as well as whether or not acupuncture has any place at all alongside modern medicine. A website, www.shen-nong.com, offers a fascinating look into, as it states, the history, principles, practices and treatment methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health presents the following view: Results from a number of studies suggest that acupuncture may help ease types of pain that are often chronic such as low-back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It also may help reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches. Therefore, acupuncture appears to be a reasonable option for people with chronic pain to consider. However, clinical practice guidelines are inconsistent in recommendations about acupuncture. The effects of acupuncture on the brain and body and how best to measure them are only beginning to be understood. Current evidence suggests that many factors—like expectation and belief—that are unrelated to acupuncture needling may play important roles in the beneficial effects of acupuncture on pain. Don’t use acupuncture to postpone seeing a health care provider about a health problem.
The Mayo Clinic Staff gives the following answer to its question of why there is so little evidence about complementary and alternative medicine:
One reason for the lack of research in alternative treatments is that large, carefully controlled medical studies are costly. Trials for conventional therapies are often funded by big companies that develop and sell drugs. Fewer resources are available to support trials of CAM therapies. That’s why NCCAM, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, was established — to foster research into CAM and make the findings available to the public.
Acupuncture may or may not be a good choice to treat what ails you. One way to help you decide is to keep reading.
Source of the story is here.
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