Acupuncture originates from China and has been practiced there for thousands of years. Although there are records of acupuncture being used hundreds of years ago in Europe, it was during the second half of the twentieth century it began to spread rapidly in Western Europe, the United States and Canada. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the patient's skin at specific points on the body - the needles are inserted to various depths. We are not sure how acupuncture works scientifically. However, we do know that it does have some therapeutic benefits, including pain relief and alleviation from nausea caused by chemotherapy.
According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points are located on meridians through which gi vital energy runs. There is no histological, anatomical or scientific proof that these meridians or acupuncture points exist. Acupuncture remains controversial among Western medical doctors and scientists. Creating case studies that use proper scientific controls is difficult because of the invasive nature of acupuncture - a clinical study involves a placebo (sham product) compared to the targeted treatment. It is very hard to devise a sham acupuncture control that one can compare to proper acupuncture. While some studies have concluded that acupuncture offers similar benefits to a patient as a placebo, others have indicated that there are some real benefits. This article in a peer-reviewed British Medical Journal explains that the principles of acupuncture are firmly grounded in science, and you don't need Chinese philosophy either to make it work, or to practice it.According to WHO (World Health Organization) acupuncture is effective for treating 28 conditions, while evidence indicates it may have an effective therapeutic value for many more. People with tension headaches and/or migraines may find acupuncture to be very effective in alleviating their symptoms, according to a study carried out at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Another study at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that twice weekly acupuncture treatments relieve debilitating symptoms of xerostomia - severe dry mouth - among patients treated with radiation for head and neck cancer.
Your Professional
Jeff Luker is an outstanding master of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has completed two bachelor's degrees - one at Northeastern State and another at Oklahoma State University. He completed his Masters Degree at the Texas College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Texas, he is Nationally Certified in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
He is credentialed, talented and we are honored to have him practicing at Rē.
Jeff has passed all the NCCAOM boards for Oriental Medicine. Please see his website at http://tulsa-acupuncture.com/!
How did acupuncture become popular in the USA?
James Reston, who worked for the New York Times had his appendix removed (appendectomy) during a visit to China in 1971. After surgery he experienced some discomfort and was treated for this with acupuncture. He was surprised to find that the acupuncture treatment helped his discomfort tremendously. He subsequently wrote an article that year titled "Now, About My Operation in Peking". Many believe this article triggered intense interest in acupuncture in the USA. Reston wrote that the acupuncturist "inserted three long, thin needles into the outer part of my right elbow and below my knees and manipulated them…That sent ripples of pain racing through my limbs and, at least, had the effect of diverting my attention from the distress in my stomach. Meanwhile, Doctor Li lit two pieces of an herb called ai, which looked like the burning stumps of a broken cheap cigar, and held them close to my abdomen while occasionally twirling the needles into action. All of this took about 20 minutes, during which I remembered thinking that it was rather a complicated way to get rid of gas… but there was a noticeable relaxation of the pressure and distension within an hour and no recurrence of the problem thereafter."
How is acupuncture treatment done?
A visit to an acupuncturist will involve an exam and an assessment of the patient's condition, the insertion of needles, and advice on self-care. Most sessions last about 30 minutes.
The patient will be asked to lie down, either face-up, face-down or on his/her side, depending on where the needless are inserted. Single-use disposable sterile needles wll be used. As each needle is inserted the patient should feel them, but initially without pain. However, when the needle reaches the right depth there should be a deep aching sensation. Once inserted, the needles will remain there for about twenty minutes.Who may benefit from acupuncture treatment?
Even though acupuncture is commonly used on its own for some conditions, it is becoming very popular as a combination treatment by doctors in Western Europe and North America. The use of acupuncture to alleviate pain and nausea after surgery is becoming more widespread. Even the US Air Force began teaching "Battlefield Acupuncture" to physicians deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in early 2009. Using acupuncture before and during surgery significantly reduces the level of pain and the amount of potent painkillers needed by patients after the surgery is over, a study revealed.
As more and more physicians accept acupuncture, a wider range of illnesses and condition are being considered for acupuncture treatment. A study found that acupuncture may help indigestion symptoms commonly experienced by pregnant women. Acupuncture also offers effective relief from hot flashes in women who are being treated with tamoxifen following surgery for breast cancer, another study found.
As it is very difficult to devise clinical studies that measure the effectiveness of acupuncture against a placebo, it is hard to create a definitive list of conditions in which acupuncture may be effective. However, some studies have indicated that acupuncture may help in treating low back pain (according to the SPINE trial), fibromyalgia (Mayo Clinic trials), migraines, post-operative dental pain (the Cochrane review), hypertension (Center for Integrative Medicine at UC Irvine study) and osteoarthritis (according to researchers at the University Medical Center in Berlin, Germany), as well as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Other studies have shown that acupuncture may help women with painful periods.What are the benefits and risks of acupuncture?
All therapies have benefits and risks.
The benefits of acupuncture are:
- When performed correctly it is safe
- There are very few side effects
- It is a very effective combination treatment
- It is effective in controlling some types of pain
- It may be considered for patients who do not respond to pain medications
- It is a useful alternative for patients who do not want to take pain medications
The risks of acupuncture are:
- It is dangerous if the patient has a bleeding disorder
- It the dangerous if the patient is taking blood thinners
- There may be bleeding, bruising and soreness at the insertion sites
- The needle may break and damage an internal organ (very rare)
- Unsterilized needles may infect the patient
- When inserted deeply into the chest or upper back there is a risk of collapsed lung (very rare)
Choosing an Acupuncturist
Choose a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in the same way you choose an allopathic doctor; carefully. Your TCM practitioner will need as much or more personal information as an allopath. A Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner performs invasive procedures and prescribes substances to take into your body. From your perspective, the necessary qualifications for either position are similar.
The first questions to ask are similar to those you would ask of other professionals. Where did you go to school? With whom did you apprentice and for how long? Are you licensed or national board certified? Do you carry malpractice insurance? You may need to ask specifically how much education the practitioner has in the treatment methods and conditions that are of concern to you..
For instance, not all acupuncturists have formally studied herbal medicine. Formal study consists of school class hours and apprenticeships, both of which include clinical experience. Correspondence courses do not. Also, if the acupuncturist has studied in Asia ask how long the course was and what the curriculum was. In addition to the full educational curriculum in the traditional medical colleges, many three to six week training programs are offered in China, Taiwan, Korea and Japan
Board CertificationThe National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) administers a certification exam for practitioners. Candidates must meet minimum eligibility requirements to allowed to take the exam. After passing the exam practitioners are considered “national board certified” and “Diplomates" in Acupuncture”. The abbreviation for the title is Dipl. Ac. The NCCAOM also administers a Chinese Herbal Medicine certification exam and a another certification in Oriental Bodywork.
The NCCAOM acupuncture certification is required by many but not all states as a condition for licensure or registration - Oklahoma does not require proof of education, or education at all, for that matter. Several states have their own exams and requirements. Many pertinent issues are matters of personal preferences for the practitioner. What is your opinion of Western Medicine? At what point do you refer? Whom do you refer to (profession and person)? Are you NCCAOM certified ?
The Wrong Acupuncturist
A professional practitioner must use CLEAN NEEDLE TECHNIQUE - CNT is a technique for minimizing the creation or spreading of infection. It’s a one of the several parts of the NCCAOM - National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine exam. Most state’s laws do not require CNT by name but require “safe techniques or procedures”. Essence is the keyword for this issue. The important thing is whether the practitioner takes precautions against causing or spreading infection.
GUARANTEED CURE - Cure and treatment are very different things. OM treats the range of human illness but it doesn’t work every time for every condition. No form of medicine does.
MANDATORY CONTRACTS - Pay as services are rendered, not by contract. Your current diagnosis should determine how much treatment you need, not your bank account. The principle of on-going health maintenance is part of the foundation of OM. However, the work of health maintenance should progressively shift from practitioner to patient. This means that as a patient’s health improves the number of treatments should decrease. How fast improvement occurs is specific to each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Most people barely feel a thing when needles are inserted. Some people feel a slight pinch, and others ask “Is it in yet?” The reason acupuncture needles don’t give the painful sensation you might expect is because they’re very, very thin in comparison to the hypodermic needles used to give injections. Hypodermic needles are necessarily hollow so that the shot can be injected. They also have a very blunt point (actually a wedge shape) in comparison to an acupuncture needle. Forty acupuncture needles can fit into the tip of one standard 18 gauge hypodermic needle.
There are certain sensations associated with the therapeutic effects of acupuncture, which are known as de qi (pronounced “day-chee”). These may include slight cramping, heaviness, distention, tingling or electric sensation traveling along a meridian. If any discomfort is experienced, it is usually mild.
Is acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is very safe. A visit to an acupuncturist is at least as safe as a visit to your doctor.
Acupuncture needles are extremely safe, because they are pre-sterilized, individually packaged, and disposable. Every properly trained practitioner gets extensive training in anatomy so as to avoid accidentally inserting a needle in a place that can cause damage.
Do I have to believe in it for it to work? Does acupuncture always work?
Acupuncture and herbs work whether you believe in them or not. Good results are seen in the majority of cases. When all other treatment methods have failed, this indicates a systematic imbalance - exactly what acupuncture and herbs excel at treating.
What Should I Expect On My First Visit?
All treatment begins with a proper chinese medical assesment, which takes place during your first visit. A lot of time is spent getting a complete picture of your health and lifestyle. The condition of your tongue may be examined, (is it cracked, coated, excessively pink? etc.), as is your pulse(s) on both wrists (the quality of your pulse gives information about possible imbalances). Questions about your emotional state, and specific symptoms you may have are also explored. This is done because TCM treats the whole person. Instead of focusing on the symptoms of your condition, TCM treats the underlying cause(s) of those symptoms.
How often would I need to come in for treatment?
Typically acupuncture treatments are given once a week. If the condition is acute and painful, treatments may be given 2-3 times per week until the condition starts to come under control. The exact duration of treatment depends on the condition, your basic level of health, and how well you respond to acupuncture.
How does acupuncture work?
In Chinese medical theory, acupuncture works by balancing the body’s Qi. Qi can be described as a form of bioenergy that runs along 12 major meridians. If Qi gets blocked, it shows up as an imbalance or illness. Basically, if you have a health condition, some part of your body’s system is "out of whack". Chinese medical theory allows us to diagnose the imbalance… and facilitate a re-balancing.
In Western medical theory, acupuncture appears to work by stimulating parts of the brain. It also stimulates the body to release natural biomolecules such as neurotransmitters, vasodilators, and hormones. The exact mechanisms which brings this about are unknown, but the effects are measurable.
A good example of this is the use of acupuncture to induce labor. One of the first things that Oriental medical students learn is that there are a few points that are absolutely forbidden to use with pregnant women. These points cause the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone that naturally induces labor. Studies have shown that using acupuncture to induce labor reduces the active (painful) phase of labor by an average of 3.6 hours.