Acupuncture

Conditions That Benefit From Acupuncture Therapy (by WHO)

Digestive Abdominal pain Constipation Diarrhea Hyperacidity Indigestion	Emotional Anxiety Depression Insomnia Nervousness Neurosis	Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat Cataracts Gingivitis Poor vision Tinnitis Toothache	Gynecological Infertility Menopausal symptoms Premenstrual syndrome
Miscellaneous Addiction control Athletic performance Blood pressure regulation Chronic fatigue Immune system tonification Stress reduction	Musculoskeletal Arthritis Back pain Muscle cramping Muscle pain/weakness Neck pain Sciatica	*Neurological* Headaches Migraines Neurogenic Bladder dysfunction Parkinson's disease Postoperative pain Stroke	Respiratory Asthma Bronchitis Common cold Sinusitis Smoking cessation Tonsilitis
Source: World Health Organization United Nations. "Viewpoint on Acupuncture." 19 19 (revised).23

Acupuncture: What Is It?

Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The classical Chinese explanation is that channels of energy run in regular patterns through the body and over its surface. These energy channels, called meridians, are like rivers flowing through the body to irrigate and nourish the tissues. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up in others.

The meridians can be influenced by needling the acupuncture points; the acupuncture needles unblock the obstructions at the dams, and reestablish the regular flow through the meridians. Acupuncture treatments can therefore help the body's internal organs to correct imbalances in their digestion, absorption, and energy production activities, and in the circulation of their energy through the meridians.

The modern scientific explanation is that needling the acupuncture points stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals will either change the experience of pain, or they will trigger the release of other chemicals and hormones which influence the body's own internal regulating system.

The improved energy and biochemical balance produced by acupuncture results in stimulating the body's natural healing abilities, and in promoting physical and emotional well-being.

While acupuncture is often associated with pain control, in the hands of a well-trained practitioner it has much broader applications. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, or as the support or adjunct to other medial treatment forms in many medical and surgical disorders.The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in the treatment of a wide range of medical problems, including:

Digestive disorders: gastritis and hyperacidity, spastic colon, constipation, diarrhea.
Respiratory disorders: sinusitis, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, recurrent chest infections.
Neurological and muscular disorders: headaches, facial tics, neck pain, rib neuritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, various forms of tendinitis, low back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis.
Urinary, menstrual, and reproductive problems.