Traditionally, many Western trained health professionals have been sceptical of the benefits of acupuncture. However, this ancient Chinese medical practice has gained a lot of recognition in the recent past.
Acupuncturists treat illnesses by inserting needles into precise points on the surface of the body. This process can help relieve pain and stress.
Acupuncture is based on the principle that ailments and diseases are caused by an unbalanced or blocked flow of energy through a person's body. In Chinese, this energy is called “chi.” Inserting needles into a person's skin stimulates the acupuncture points and makes the person's chi flow evenly again. According to this principle, when this energy flows naturally, the body can begin to heal itself.
During treatment, nothing is injected into the patient. The needles are extremely thin, three to eight centimetres long, flexible, and cause the patient little or no pain. The acupuncturist often stimulates the points by twisting the needles. Some acupuncturists run a weak electrical current through the needles to start the chi flowing.
The acupuncturist needs to make an accurate diagnosis to know where the needles should be inserted. Traditional Chinese methods of diagnosis are typically used. By lightly placing three fingers on the patient's wrist, the acupuncturist feels the speed and rhythm of the patient's pulse. This determines where the problem is coming from and where the needles should be placed.
Acupuncturists also look at the tongue to make a diagnosis. The colour of the tongue, along with its coating and shape, can tell the acupuncturist about the cause of the problem. A patient's complexion, voice, breathing patterns, and body odours can also be used for diagnosis.
Acupuncture is most commonly used to treat headaches, backaches, shoulder or knee pain, pre-menstrual syndrome, arthritis, asthma, immune system disorders, ear infections, insomnia, depression, and even addiction. It’s considered a holistic approach to healing, which means that it treats all aspects of the person—the mental, the physical, and the emotional.
NOC Code: 3232