What You Should Know About Acupuncture

This web site provides information on acupuncture, including frequently asked questions, concerns and issues to consider, and a list of sources for further information.

Many cities and towns around the United States now have professionals who practice acupuncture. These professionals are highly skilled in the practice of alternative methods. Patients usually go to the practitioners of traditional medical treatment first, but many then seek help through acupuncture if they do not find satisfaction with regular doctors and nurses. Some insurance companies will now consider payments for acupuncture treatment. People will not usually seek acupuncture for serious conditions such as cancer or heart disease.

For Many People Acupuncture Is Very Effective

Often times people now use acupuncture as complementary medicine. These alternative medicine practices are also used to help people break bad habits such as smoking. This type of alternative medicine has been used for people suffering chronic pain, nausea and several other troubling conditions. There has also been some success in using these alternative medicines to help people lose weight. The techniques used in acupuncture seem a bit harsh when first illustrated, but acupuncture is not painful or uncomfortable.

The professional acupuncturist uses very small needles inserted at specific points in the body to achieve the goals of the patient. The skilled professional uses needles that are hygienic to prevent any type of infection. These needles are much thinner than the needles that people are used to when they are in need of a traditional shot. The needles are inserted at strategic points chosen for specific benefits. The skilled person will insert the needles in specific points for someone with headaches. The same professional will insert the needles differently for those trying to kick a bad habit. There have been many people who have used these alternative medicines with great success, and the demonstrated success for some conditions has led to more people seeking this type of treatment. 

How widely is acupuncture used in the United States?

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions.1 According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine. use by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had ever used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

Acupuncture Information:

Powered by Joomla! 1.0
Joomla! site syndication

New Book: Acupuncture Research: Strategies for Establishing an Evidence Base
24 Jan 2008 at 12:07pm
New Book: Acupuncture Research: Strategies for Establishing an Evidence Base Hugh MacPherson, PhD; Richard Hammerschlag, PhD;George Thomas Lewith, MA, DM, FRCP, MRCGP; andRosa N. Schnyer, DiplAc Senior Research AssociateThe first of its kind, this guide offers a full range of research strategies for evaluating the clinical practice of acupuncture. It addresses the gap that exists between current research evidence and the actual experience of acupuncturists in the field. Based on a deep understanding of acupuncture principles and practice, this book includes contributions from leading acupuncturists and internationally renowned researchers.Integrates evidence-based medicine with a recognition of the complex holistic dimensions of acupuncture practice.Emphasizes key research questions to make information easy to find.Outlines key challenges in the field.Offers practical examples of what has worked and what has not. ISBN: 978-0-443-10029-1
Decisions to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by male cancer ...
7 Aug 2007 at 7:22am
Background: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is increasingly popular with cancer patients and yet information provision or discussion about CAM by health professionals remains low. Previous research suggests that patients may fear clinicians disapproval if they raise the subject of CAM, and turn to other sources to acquire information about CAM. However, little empirical research has been conducted into how cancer patients acquire, and, more importantly evaluate CAM information before deciding which CAM therapies to try. Methods: Qualitative study, comprising semi-structured interviews with 43 male cancer patients of varying ages, cancer type and stage of illness, 34 of whom had used CAM. They were recruited from a range of NHS and non-NHS settings in Bristol, England. Results: As a result of the lack of CAM information from health professionals, men in this study became either pro-active seekers or passive recipients of such information. Their main information resource was the lay referral network of family, friends and acquaintances, especially females. Traditional information sources, including books, magazines, leaflets and the media were popular, more so in fact than the internet. Views on the internet ranged from enthusiasm or healthy scepticism through to caution or disinterest. CAM information was generally regarded as empowering as it broadened treatment and self-care options. A minority of participants were information averse fearing additional choices that might disrupt their fragile ability to cope. There was general consensus that CAM information should be available via the NHS, to give it a stamp of approval, which combined with guidance from informed health professionals, could help patients to make guided choices. However, a small minority of these men valued the independence of CAM from the NHS and deliberately sought alternative information sources and treatment options. Men were selective in identifying particular therapies to use and sceptical about others, basing their choices on forms of evidence that were personally meaningful: personal stories of individuals who had been helped by CAM; the long history and enduring popularity of some therapies; the plausibility of the mechanism of action; a belief or trust in individual therapies or their providers; scientific evidence. Scientific evidence ranked low in the mens personal decision-making about CAM, while it was recognised as important for NHS support for CAM. Conclusions: These male cancer patients valued the support and guidance of trusted individuals in making choices about CAM. Trusted health professionals could also play a significant role in helping patients to make informed choices. Any such dialogue must, however, acknowledge the different standards of evidence used by patients and clinicians to evaluate the benefits or otherwise of CAM therapies. Such open communication could help to foster an environment of mutual trust where patients are encouraged to discuss their interest in CAM, rather than perpetuate covert, undisclosed use of CAM with its attendant potential hazards.Source: Full Text (http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/7/25)
Acupuncture Moving Toward Globalization: the Status Quo and Prospects (1)
28 Jul 2007 at 9:54am
Acupuncture Moving Toward Globalization: the Status Quo and Prospects(1) Prevalence in the West and Progress of Clinical StudyHitoshi YAMASHITA1) and Hiroshi TSUKAYAMA2)1) Office for Morinomiya University of Medical Sciences, Morinomiya College of Medical Arts and Sciences2) Center for Integrative Medicine, Tsukuba University of Technology(Accepted: 2006/09/07)Abstract: Acupuncture, which was originated and developed in the East Asian countries, has been globalized today. In Japan, acupuncture is more popular than the West, but lagging behind in terms of medical policy, research funding and evidence-based clinical research. Evidence-based approach such as randomized controlled trial has brought new developments in acupuncture research scene. On the other hand, clinical implication of acupuncture “system” seems to have been underestimated in evidence-based clinical research until recently.Source: Japanese Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Vol. 3. No. 3 (http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jcam/3/3/3_77/_article)

AcupunctureFiles.com>