What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin to treat health problems. The needles may be manipulated manually or stimulated with small electrical currents (electroacupuncture). Acupuncture has been in use in some form for at least 2,500 years. It originated from traditional Chinese medicine but has gained popularity worldwide since the 1970s.
How widely is acupuncture used?
According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture is used in 103 of 129 countries that reported data.
In the United States, data from the National Health Interview Survey showed a 50 percent increase in the number of acupuncture users between 2002 and 2012. In 2012, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 6.4 percent of U.S. adults reported they had used acupuncture, and 1.7 percent reported they had used it in the past 12 months.
What is acupuncture used for?
National survey data indicate that in the United States, acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, such as back, joint, or neck pain.
What facts have been found out in relation to acupuncture’s benefits?
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points of the skin to alleviate pain or treat health problems. It is one of the key modalities in traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for over 2,500 years. Acupuncture theory posits that the human body has a network of energy pathways, or meridians, which can become blocked or imbalanced, leading to illness and pain. By stimulating certain points along these meridians, acupuncture aims to restore the proper flow of energy and promote the body’s natural healing processes.
Acupuncture is widely used across the globe, with the World Health Organization reporting that it is practiced in 103 out of 129 countries that provide data on alternative medicine usage. In the United States, the use of acupuncture has been steadily increasing, with a 50 percent increase in the number of acupuncture users reported between 2002 and 2012. This trend reflects a growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine among Americans.
Acupuncture is commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. National survey data from the United States indicate that acupuncture is most frequently used to manage pain, such as back, joint, or neck pain. Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in treating other types of pain, such as migraines, dental pain, and menstrual pain. In addition, acupuncture has been used as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients to manage cancer-related symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and pain.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of acupuncture as a treatment for mental health conditions. Studies have shown that acupuncture may be helpful in treating depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Acupuncture may work by modulating the body’s stress response, increasing the production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters, and promoting relaxation.
Acupuncture has also been used as a treatment for addiction, particularly for drug and alcohol dependence. Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, increase feelings of calm and relaxation, and improve overall well-being in individuals with addiction. Acupuncture may be used as a stand-alone treatment or as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.
While acupuncture is generally considered safe, it is important to seek treatment from a qualified and licensed practitioner. The practitioner should use sterile, disposable needles and follow appropriate infection control practices. Acupuncture may cause mild side effects such as bruising, soreness, or bleeding at the site of the needle insertion. In rare cases, more serious side effects such as infection or organ injury may occur. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of acupuncture with their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
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