Discovering The Depths of Acupuncture

“Traditional acupuncture originated in China about five thousand years ago (Connelly 3). The fact that it has been around for so long may serve as proof to its beneficial effectiveness. Though it is another modality that has little written about the origins and background of the healing form. According to Dr. Mercola (2014), Emperor Huang Di is to thank for the oldest record of acupuncture, in print, dating back to his period in power between 2,696-2,598 B.C. (2014, Mercola, 1). “Traditional Acupuncture is a healing art and science which teaches how to see the entire human being in body-mind-spirit, how to recognize the process of health and illness, and how to go about the restoration of lost health in an individual” (Connelly 3).

The Web Health Care Centre (2015) states that it is thought that traditional Chinese medicine may have been brought over when President Richard Nixon returned from a trip to China in 1971, where one of his aides received an acupuncture treatment (2015, Web Health Care Centre, 1). Other theories suggest that it was brought over by Chinese immigrants, but not highly recognized until 1971 when an acclaimed New York Times journalist received a treatment after surgery (Trivier and Anderson). Whoever got the word out about acupuncture in 1971 helped the healing modality come to light and by the end of the decade schools began to appear around the country (Trivier and Anderson).

It is not solely bodywork, but a complex processes of diagnosis that looks for distinct symptoms followed by treatment for long lasting health. “From the Chinese point of view, these symptoms point to trouble somewhere in the flow of Qi Energy” (Connelly 4). Qi can be thought of, in western contemplation, as the immune system, though it goes a lot deeper than what is considered the immune system. “During an acupuncture treatment, fine needles are inserted into “acupuncture points”, which are thought to stimulate the body’s nervous system to release certain chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord, and brain which in turn release other chemicals and hormones in the body that may help to improve pain and other medical complaints” (Young Women’s Health). These chemicals include the body’s “natural painkilling chemicals”: endorphins and enkephalins, which goes to show that acupuncture has the ability to utilize neurotransmitters to “alter the perception of pain” (Trivier and Anderson).

In accordance to the theory of acupuncture Qi flows throughout the body along pathways, called meridians, which connect to twelve major organs (Trivier and Anderson). “Treatment itself is akin to a system of gates and doors; a good image is the system of locks and gates of a waterway. The needle acts as the opener or closer of these gates and doors, summoning, allowing, pushing, pulling the energy to and from the pathway” (Connelly 115). It seems like more energetic work with the use of meridians and pathways that are connected to the core of the illness.

Numerous studies have shown that acupuncture can assist in easing “types of pain that are often chronic” (NCCIH). Treatments are know to help people relax and relieve pain without side effects, on the other hand, the symptoms can worsen before they get better, may cause changes within normal habits like appetite/sleep/bowel habits, and may not work for everyone (Young Women’s Health).

What are the basic principles of this form of treatment? Vitality is key in Chinese Medicine, so first and foremost treatment is to be done without harm to the system while strengthening the inner life force, or “Upright Qi” (2016, Cloqstoun-Willmott, 1). “Not only does your Upright Qi include your immune system, it includes all the ways your body can go on to repair itself” (Cloqstoun-Willmott, 1). Another important principle of acupuncture is the idea that the body and all of its energy is inter-connected, “each part affects all other parts”, therefore if all parts are not in balance we find the “precursor to all illness” (Mercola 1). “ The body exhibits symptoms when suffering from inner disease, and if it’s not re-balanced these symptoms may lead to acute or chronic illness of all kinds” (Mercola 1). Acupuncture utilizes meridians that are connected to vital organs in which Qi flows through (Web Health Care, 1). “Current research suggests that there is a specific relationship between acupuncture points, meridians, and the electrical currents of the body” ((Trivier and Anderson). In basic terms the idea behind acupuncture is the maintain balance and strength in the body’s life force in order to work towards and maintain wellness.

As previously stated, prior to any treatment the practitioner looks deeply into the patients lifestyle, as well as things like the color of the face, sound of the voice, and any odor presented as they interact. Also, pulses are taken to inform the practitioner on the strength of each organ. This helps to provide more information about what is really going on at a deeper level. Most importantly, the basic principles are based upon two categories, yin and yang. The subcategories of yin are excess, external, and hot while deficiency, internal, and cold fall under yang. With these categories there are a couple of major questions asked before treatment is performed. Is there a need for strengthening due to deficiency (yang) or a need to release energy because of excess (yin)? Is the ailment internal (yang) or external (yin)? Does the treatment need the warmth of yin or cooling of yang? There is also the question of, “how to diagnose the balance between yin and yang” and how is it possible to aide harmony between the two? (Cloqstoun-Willmott, 1).

With that being said, with devoted investigation practitioners are trained to recognize where meridians are blocking the flow of Qi, in hand causing illness. “By inserting a thin needle into the congested or ‘clogged’ area, it opens the gate and allows the energy to flow again. With the life-energy flowing smoothly, the body can now re-regulate the flow of energy, repair itself, and maintain its own optimal level of health” (Mercola 1). Therefore, “after diagnosis, specific needles are placed in any of over 1,000 locations on the body. Acupuncture, however, calls for no more than ten to twelve needles per treatment” (Trivier and Anderson).

Furthermore, Dr. Mercola (2014) shares that “in 2003, the World Health Organization conducted an extensive review and analysis of clinical trails involving acupuncture. According to this report, acupuncture impacts the body on multiple levels”. Examples of the levels of impact are as follows; stimulation of electromagnetic signals that release “immune system cells or pain-killing chemicals”, an initiation of the body’s “natural opioid system” which can aide sleep and/or assist in reduction of pain, activation of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that “modulates numerous body systems”, and a positive affect on brain chemistry through a “change is the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones” (2014, Mercola 1).

As time goes on, there becomes more research to back the potency of healing acupuncture has to offer. Dr. Cargile states, “Because the meridians influence every cell in the body and pass through every organ and organ system, acupuncture provides health practitioners with an accurate and noninvasive means of determining health deficiencies, as well as a method of reestablishing balance” (Trivier and Anderson ). The key word in this statement is noninvasive, following the principle of no harm.

“Acupuncture, it turns out, does something completely unexpected-it deactivates certain parts of the brain, particularly in the limbic system, decreasing neuronal activity, opposed to having an activating impact…the limbic system is associated with our experience of pain, adding further evidence that something very unique happens during acupuncture-it quite literally alters your experience of pain by shutting down these deeper brain regions” (Mercola 1).

“If trained in skillful ways/ And married to your mind and heart, your hands/ Can execute enduring artistries and soothe,/ If bred to serve, a restless world to rest. – Josephine Hammond” (Churchill 635). All in all, acupuncture is a modality that can be very healing in many ways, on its own or in conjunction with other forms of alternative medicine. “According to tradition, the practice of acupuncture is based on the philosophy of balance and unity between the Universe, living beings, and energy flow that penetrates everywhere and everything. Any imbalance, disruption, or energy-flow blockage within the body can cause disease or pain. The main concept and philosophy of acupuncture is to return the body to a harmonized, balanced state” (Chernyak and Sessler 1).

References

Acupuncture Origin- Alternative Medicine - Webhealthcentre.com. (2015). Retrieved April 15, 2016, from http://www.webhealthcentre.com/S_altmedicine/acupuncture/acupuncture_origin.aspx

Center for Young Women's Health. (n.d.). Acupuncture. Retrieved February 14, 2016, from http://youngwomenshealth.org/2013/06/12/acupuncture

Chernyak, G. V., M.D., & Sessler, D. I., M.D. (2006). Perioperative Acupuncture and Related Techniques. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 1. Retrieved March 18, 2016, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1475803/

Connelly, D.M. (1994) Traditional Acupuncture. Maryland: Traditional Acupuncture Institute.

NCCIH. (2008). Acupuncture in Depth. Retrieved February 14, 2016, from https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction

The Science of Acupuncture: History, Principles, and Uses. (2014, August 30). Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/30/acupuncture.aspx

Trivieri, L., & Anderson, J. W. (2013). Alternative Medicine (2nd ed., The Definitive Guide). Celestial Arts.

8 Principles, Eight Principles. (2011-2016). Retrieved April 18, 2016, from http://www.acupuncture-points.org/8-principles.html