Risks and benefits of Acupuncture

Therapies outside the medical mainstream tend to suffer from a dearth of research and critical evaluation. Critics and supporters alike note the conceptual and practical difficulties in studying many complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and meditation.

Of course there has been some research in the field of botanical medicine, and we know of some results. For example, the herbal product called ginkgo is a medicine for dementia caused by circulation problems. Prostatic hypertrophy can be cured by saw palmetto preparations and similarly capsicum or hot chili pepper can be a cure for arthritis pain.

Acupuncture involves the study of the body with a concentration on its centers and meridians. The points of the body which control various organs and the bodily system are the subjects of study. In acupuncture, pressure is used on these points of the body. This is done by inserting fine steel needles into the points, and then maneuvering them to get the desired effect.

The diagnosis and treatment in acupuncture has its basis on the fact that the ear is the main center of the bodily organs. Let us take an example. If a patient has a liver problem, then the needle is stuck at a certain point on the ear, which directly corresponds to the liver.

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes in functional methods than giving importance to terms related to structure. The 'acupuncture points' are a topic of controversy for many, like the NIH consensus statement, who can still not understand the medicinal value of the points and can therefore not define and characterize them. The TCM believes that there are two opposing and separable forces in the body which have to strike a balance. The two are opposites, because one is the passive and slow force and the other is the active and excited force. They are called yin and yang.

All about Acupuncture risks and benefits Disease hits a person when the forces become imbalanced, which is the belief of the Chinese. In order to bring back normalcy and health into the body, the flow of energy in the body meridians have to be regularized. Hence the yin and the yang are rebalanced and the Chi is unblocked. Normally, acupuncture is used for pain relief in addition to normal medical treatment of any kind.

Acupuncture is not a painful process. When the needles are inserted at certain body points, there may be a slight irritation, especially on the face or on certain points of the body, which are more delicate than others.

It is interesting to compare the risks of acupuncture in relation to its benefits. If there is even a slight risk involved in the treatment and it is not proving to be beneficial at all, people will not opt for it. But if the therapy can be life saving, then people are ready to take bigger risks.

Before starting an acupuncture treatment, inform your acupuncturist about any medical treatment that you are undergoing, and the same applies to your doctor, who should be aware of your acupuncture treatment. In a normal situation both treatments can work well side by side and problems may arise only if the patient is sensitive to the treatment or if there is a flaw in it.

Studies suggest that there are a number of conditions which acupuncture can help to treat, including post-operative pain , migraines , and nausea . More high-quality research is needed into the effectiveness of acupuncture on other conditions.

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Author: A complete resourcefull website to facts and articles about acupuncture can be found hereAll about-Acupuncture Care of your diebetes and more conditionAcupuncture facts

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