What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a persons’ skin at specific points on the body, to various depths. Research suggests that it can help relieve pain or discomfort and can treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal complaints.
The National Centre for complementary and integrative health State that acupuncture has been proven to be effective in:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Knee pain
- Headaches and migraines
However, there is little evidence to state its effectiveness for anything other than pain.
How does acupuncture work?
Inserting needles into certain points with appropriate combinations is said to bring the energy clawback into proper balance. Traditional Chinese medicine explains that health is the result of a harmonious balance of the contemporary extremes of using ‘yin’ and ‘yang’ of the life force known as qi pronounced ‘chi’.
There is no scientific proof that the meridians or acupuncture points exist, and it is hard to prove that they either do or do not, but numerous studies suggest that acupuncture works for some conditions.
Some experts have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture. Acupuncture points are seen as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow, while at the same time triggering the activity of the body’s natural painkillers.
It is difficult to set up investigations using proper scientific controls, because of the invasive nature of acupuncture. In a clinical study, a control group would have to undergo sham treatment or a placebo, for results to be compared with those of genuine acupuncture.
The World Health Organisation stated that acupuncture may help the following conditions:
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuralgia
- Spinal pain
- Stiff neck
Acupuncture can be beneficial in that:
- Performed correctly, it is safe.
- There are very few side effects.
- It can be effectively combined with other treatments.
- It can control some types of pain.
- It may help patients for whom pain medications are not suitable.
