History and Mystery.....(part one)

The origins of acupuncture are lost in the mists of time. One might presume that successful aspects of acupressure and bloodletting slowly combined into a separate discipline that worked well enough to survive through the centuries fueled in part by the confidence of the patient in the mysterious practitioner. Unlike Western science, the discoveries and studies of TCM practitioners were never written down to be shared by the common person. Theories and practices were instead, passed down from master to apprentice in secret. It is possible that successful techniques were compiled and theories were built around them using the beliefs of the Eastern cultures.

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Studying Acupuncture and Depression

Acupuncture is a method developed over the course of thousands of years in the East as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Popular culture portrays acupuncture as pain therapy administered by practitioners using thin needles placed in specific points of the body. Essentially, this is a fair portrayal – although pop culture usually paints the patient as quirky, sometimes to the point of not deserving the fruits of the ancient practice. Modern medicine has a more difficult time finding the right place for acupuncture. TCM precedes the scientific method by a substantial number of years and is now difficult to explain the successes of such things as acupuncture and depression.

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Herbal Chinese Medicine

Unlike acupuncture, herbal Chinese medicine seems to be finding favor among researchers. Studies reveal that these herbal medicines rarely evoke any adverse reactions. In fact, they appear more successful in their safety than most pharmaceutical drugs. Both traditional and modern herbal formulas are now commercially available for use by people of all ages and any physical constitution.

Chinese herbal medicines are being used for treating digestive problems, psychological disorders, gynecological problems, allergic conditions, immunity problems, children's illnesses, pain, respiratory diseases, and addictive disorders (alcoholism, smoking etc.).

A strikingly successful point about Chinese herbal medicine is that pregnant women can use most of them without any risk. However, it is always recommended to consult the physician before taking herbal formulas.

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Standards of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

The standards of acupuncture and Chinese medicine have not been fully approved by the FDA. Acupuncture needles are not recommended for using more than once. Certification of acupuncture today remains a sham in most American physicians. The goal of this sham is making money by cashing the desperation of patients who have not benefited from medical treatments.

The National Council Against Health Fraud has declared acupuncture as an unproven means of treatment whose concepts of healing are primitive and false. The perceived positive effects of acupuncture are regarded as the result of the patient's own expectations and placebo effect.

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Are Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Safe?

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are gaining popularity among Americans for treating diseases that are resistant to medical therapies. These Chinese treatment methods are based on the mystical belief that a cosmic energy, Chi, flows throughout the human body and its blockage results in illness or pain.

Using acupuncture and Chinese medicine (mainly herbs) restores the Chi flow to normal and thus cures the illness. Acupuncture attempts to arrive at this aim by inserting needles into specific points on the skin (or on the external ear). Several medical authorities and professionals have lately challenged acupuncture and Chinese medicine as not free of risk.

Risks Associated with Traditional Chinese Treatment

A number of risks are associated with acupuncture. For example, if the needle handling is not carried out with care, it can cause fainting, hematoma (localized bleeding that can shift along the organ's length), punctured lung, convulsions, and localized infections. If the needles used are not sterilized, Hepatitis B might result. Skin diseases and nerve damage are other risks. However, more than one study confirms that if a trained physician is performing the acupuncture, then the practice is virtually risk-free.

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Both Address the Same Points through Different Means (2)

Acupuncture and acupressure known as Zhen Jiu and Zhi Ya respectively, are the best known of all traditional Chinese methods to treat health conditions. Acupuncture is now a very popular alternative therapy for arthritis pain relief and acupressure makes use of the same points without using any needles, as the fingers are enough.

A person suffering from nausea may be given acupressure as means of providing relief and this is achieved by pressing down hard with the thumb or finger on the groove that lies between two large tendons running from the base of the palm all the way up to the elbow. Using acupuncture, the same could be achieved through puncturing the skin with long, thin needles.

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Both Address the Same Points through Different Means (1)

Acupuncture and acupressure are different since the former causes the skin to be punctured with very thin and long needles and it has to be performed by a practitioner who is experienced in traditional Chinese medicine whereas acupressure can be learnt from a handbook and a person may even perform a miniature massage on oneself, anywhere. Also, acupressure has been practiced long before acupuncture became known and that is another difference between acupuncture and acupressure.
In addition, since acupuncture requires using a tool it needs greater accuracy to bring quick relief whereas acupressure is less precise since one only the finger is used as a tool. There may also be some side effects as a result of acupuncture that are caused due to release of toxins or through realignment of the muscle groups. Acupuncture and acupressure thus have different effects on the patient with acupressure having fewer side effects and this may be somewhat akin to deep tissue massages where there is also less scope of doing wrong to the patient.

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