What is Acupuncture?
Commonly Treated Conditions
Meet Our Acupuncturist
Links
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world. As part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a whole medical system that originated in China. It is based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. Practices such as herbs, meditation, massage, and acupuncture seek to aid healing by restoring the yin-yang balance and the flow of qi (TCM). Acupuncture is a family of procedures that originated in traditional Chinese medicine.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the insertion of thin metal needles though the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi and restore and maintain health. In the United States, where practitioners incorporate healing traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries, acupuncture is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. (CAM).
Commonly Treated Conditions
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a list of the following most commonly treated conditions using acupuncture:
Diseases of the muscles, bones and joints
- Sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
Diseases of the nervous system
- Strokes
- Neuralgia
- Anxiety, depression and other nervous disorders
- Nerve paralysis
- Headaches/migraines
Digestive disorders
- Indigestion
- Stomach ulcers
- Gall stones
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Diseases of the respiratory system
- Asthma/allergies
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
Diseases of the heart and blood vessels
- Angina
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Drug addiction
- Smoking
Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal malposition
- PMS
- Menopause symptoms
- Dysmenorrhia (painful periods)
- Amenorrhia (irregular or cessation of periods)
- Uterine bleeding
- Infertility
Meet our Acupuncturist
Mary Reynolds
Links
www.acupuncture.com - Resources for patients, practitioners and students
www.acupunctureresearch.org - Advancing the credibility and uniquesness of acupuncture through research
www.acupuncturetoday.com - An online acupuncture journal
www.dragonsmedicalbulletin.com - Integrated clinical research updates on acupuncture, supplements, and health care practices
http://www.mercola.com American Academy of Medical Acupuncture (good site to find acupuncture research)
www.mercola.com - natural health newsletter
www.nccaom.org - National Organization for the Accreditation of Acupuncturists (good site to search for local acupuncture practitioners and know that they are board certified)
www.qi-journal.com - Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness