Acupressure and acupuncture are not one in same techniques. They differ slightly because acupuncture makes use of thin needles in approaching health concerns while acupressure never breaks the skin. On the other hand, they do a have a few things in common. For instance, both are centered on touching meridians which carry energy or chi along those meridians right through an individuals’ body.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clearly states that illness occurs due to the blockage of chi in any of fourteen different meridians. Acupressure and acupuncture both advocate the free flow of energy without obstructions. Both methods are used to treat arthritis, allergies, migraine headaches, depression, menstrual cramps, nausea and anxieties.

Because acupuncture uses very thin, long needles to puncture the skin it should be performed by an experienced practitioner who is skilled in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure is much less technical; it can therefore be learned from a book and may even be; in some instances, performed on oneself. Somewhat surprisingly, acupressure was practiced long before acupuncture became known.

In addition, since acupuncture requires the skilled use of a tool (needles) it requires much greater accuracy in order to bring quick relief whereas acupressure is less precise since the only tool is the practitioners finger. Due to the release of toxins or through realignment of muscle groups, in some instances acupuncture can result in some short term, minor side effects.

Acupressure and acupuncture thus have different effects on the patient with acupressure having fewer side effects. This may be somewhat akin to deep tissue massages where there is also less chance of unforeseen side effects to the patient.

Acupressure and acupuncture are known as Zhen Jiu and Zhi Ya respectively. They are probably the best known of all traditional Chinese methods used in treating health imbalances. Acupuncture is now a very popular alternative therapy for arthritis pain relief and acupressure makes use of the same points while using the fingers to manipulate the meridian points.

By pressing down firmly with the thumb or finger on the groove that lies between the two large tendons running from the base of the palm up to the elbow, acupressure is often used to provide relief for those who are suffering from nausea. Acupuncture can also achieve the same results through the use of needles. Both methods have a long history of success and neither is better than the other, it’s simply a matter of opinion as to which method is best.

Brian Winkels
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/acupressure-or-acupuncture-fingers-or-needles-87741.html

For every practice or thought, there is an opposite viewpoint. This is true with religious beliefs, political beliefs, and even opinions and studies of the environment. As humans, we both consciously and unconsciously choose to believe a side. There are many, many individuals who can see the reasoning on both sides of the proverbial fence, but there are also those that are staunchly devoted and will see no side other than their own. Medical treatments are no exception to this rule.

There are religious groups through out the world, including some who believe that a transfusion of blood is sacrilegious and would never take someone else’s blood into their body, as it makes them “impure”. There are some who do not believe in modern medicine and still, to this day, practice holistic medicine. However, most religions do not have a prejudice against Western medicine in whole, but may be against particular things, such as prescriptions for depression. Many Eastern religions have given birth to medical practices of their own. An example of this would be Taoism. Taoism believes in studying nature and its influences upon man. From this belief and observation rose the practice of acupuncture, which has to do with the flow of energy, Qi (pronounced chee), and how those affect areas of the body.

Many religions consider that believing in outside energies is a farce and their followers will spurn procedures using such magic and mystery. Others discount the studies of researchers, considering the strength of acupuncture to lie in the possibility of something intangible, such as Qi. Bibles and scriptures of all types warn against the “Devil’s work” and mysticism, which leaves some individuals to believe that acupuncture is evil or wrong.

However, for the most part, acupuncture is receiving a positive welcome in communities around the globe. Perhaps this is because of exercise programs, such as Yoga and Pilates, which have become so popular. Asian culture has exploded into the main stream in fashion, thought, spirituality, technology, and medicine. Years ago, such things as acupuncture and Yoga were only for the “beatniks”. The regular Joe did not practice such things and would not have heard the positive benefits, but nowadays, people around the globe want different choices when it comes to their bodies. Many individuals want to try to live a life with minimal medication and invasive procedures, turning to nature to help with illness and pain. Acupuncture is a good alternative.

Acupuncture, as mentioned before, has to do with the flow of energy in the body. The energy flows along pathways, fourteen to be precise, which are called meridians. All along the meridian, there are points within that can become blocked. Acupuncture is used to unblock the meridian and allow the energy to flow. This is done with the use of long, thin, solid needles, but most people report that the procedure is painless, so do not worry.

The medical field and the health-care services we choose to receive fall into our set of values and beliefs, be they moral or religious. Certainly, the ultimate decision to accept acupuncture or consider it nothing more than psychological smoke and mirrors remains yours alone, depending much on your personal group of beliefs and your opinion.

John Edmond
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/are-religion-and-acupuncture-compatible-90087.html

There are many medical benefits of acupuncture as acupuncture has been used for millennia to treat the symptoms of many diseases and health conditions as well as to promote good health and well-being.

To determine the medical benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of your condition you must speak with a qualified practitioner of acupuncture. He or she will want to know your entire medical history including any allergies you have and what illnesses and injuries you have suffered in the past. Only after knowing these things can a potential form of treatment be decided on?

Acupuncture works by triggering the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain and central nervous system. These chemicals, endorphins and serotonin have a strong affect on a persons mood and the feelings they have, they can make you feel up, down, in pain or happy and pain free.

The traditional method behind the treatment is to accentuate the flow of “qi”, which is believed to be the bodies natural flow of energy. Today qi is used more like a metaphor and acupuncture is one of the most well known, and most widely used treatments in a complementary fashion.

* What is acupuncture used for?

Acupuncture has been used for a wide variety of medical conditions for a few millennia, today we use acupuncture for medical conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, pain, headaches, digestive problems and women’s menstrual problems.

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) there are a number of health problems that can be improved upon by the use of acupuncture. These conditions are broken down into respiratory diseases, bronchopulmonary diseases, eye disorders, disorders that affect the cavity of the mouth, orthopedic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological disorders.

The respiratory diseases that acupuncture can help include acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and the common cold. Acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma are both bronchopulmonary diseases that acupuncture has been shown to have great results in treating.

The eye disorders acupuncture helps include acute conjunctivitis, cataract that has no complications, myopia, and central retinitis.

The mouth cavity disorders acupuncture helps include toothaches, gingivitis, pharyngitis, and pain or discomfort that sometimes takes place after a tooth is pulled. The orthopedic disorders acupuncture helps include periarthritis humeroscapularis, tennis elbow, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica.

Acupuncture also improves gastrointestinal disorders as well as neurologic disorders. The gastrointestinal disorders it helps include hiccups, gastroptosis, spasms that take place in the cardia and the esophagus, gastric hyperacidity, acute and chronic gastritis, chronic duodenal ulcer, acute bacterial dysentery, acute as well as chronic colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus.

The neurologic disorders it helps include headaches and migraines in particular, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, meniere’s syndrome, intercostals neuralgia, nocturnal enuresis, paralysis after an apoplectic fit, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and paralysis that is caused by poliomyelitis.

* How is acupuncture done?

Acupuncture is carried out by hundreds of small needles being inserted into special points in the body, these points are known as acupuncture points and are located along meridian lines where qi is supposed to flow likes streams, rivers and seas.

In the body there are hundreds, if not thousands of acupuncture points, all of which are related to different medical conditions and used for alleviating different symptoms.

The points are found by an acupuncture therapist feeling for pulses in the body, mostly around the organs, this will help them determine which acupuncture points to use.

Mike Herman
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-medical-benefits-of-acupuncture-are-too-numerous-to-count-88461.html

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical treatment and has been used since 202BC. Traditional Korean medicine mentions this form of treatment under the name of Chimsul. Japanese traditional medicine (Kampo) also considers it important. Evidence suggests that this ancient art may even have been practiced in Eurasia during the early Bronze Age. This may not have been quite like the acupuncture we know but was a similar treatment.

At first the Communist party in China did not accept the traditional forms of medical treatment like Acupuncture, but in time chairman Mao accepted these treatments as an important part of Chinese medicine. He sent representatives out to research the different theories and techniques of Chinese medicine. This research led to a compilation known as Traditional Chinese Medicine. After the Cultural Revolution only the Traditional Chinese Medicine findings were accepted and other treatments were outlawed. This led to a migration of practitioners, who spread the word about acupuncture to their newfound homes. The information about acupuncture treatment was brought to the USA by this means.

Acupuncture treatment has been used in the West since the 17th Century. The 1st practical use was in 1810 at the Paris Medical School by Dr Berlioz. He claimed to have some successes with this treatment. However his medical peers were somewhat skeptical. John Churchill continued to use this treatment in the UK in 1821, and published some facts about his treatment of tympany and rheumatoid arthritis with acupuncture treatment. Dr Elliotson also used this treatment and published his findings about treating 42 cases of rheumatoid arthritis with this method in 1827.

Today acupuncture is widely used in the West. It is mainly used as therapy but some practitioners even use this treatment as anesthesia. Doctors in France and Austria have carried out experiments with using acupuncture as anesthesia and have met with some success; Russian Doctors have also done some research. In 1972 a paper was published about acupuncture points. Russians claim that they have used this treatment for a wide variety of ailments. The rest of the Western world uses acupuncture mainly for treating pain.

Acupuncture is still fairly controversial in the medical field with many doctors and scientists showing a lot of doubt in this form of treatment. However there are also many success stories. As more research is done we will be seeing more ways to use this intriguing form of medical treatment.

Zachary Thompson
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/history-of-acupuncture-88360.html

Acupuncture is an ancient form of medical treatment designed in China. The skilled healthcare workers who supply this kind of treatment are called acupuncturists. Research has shown that acupuncture is successful in easing some types of pain, including the pain of arthritis. The National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture is a helpful addition to the treatment of osteoarthritis in 1997.

The word “acupuncture” is European, the idea having been transported to Europe from Nagasaki by Willem ten Rhyne in 1683, but the treatment has most likely been used in China since around 1600 BC. During the Ching Dynasty (AD 1644-1911) acupuncture fell out of favor in China but has been more commonly used there since the Communist revolution and it is certainly very popular now in the West.

Acupuncture texts list over one hundred conditions that respond well to the therapy. Working in close accord with the International Acupuncture Training Center of the Shanghai College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the World Health Organization in 2002 specified that acupuncture is useful in treating the following conditions: severe and persistent pain relief, migraine, tension cluster and sinus headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, bladder dysfunction, bed wetting, neck pain, upper and mid-back pain, lower back pain sciatica, osteoarthritis, sprains and strains, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, post-operative pain relief, gastric problems, asthma, allergies, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, abnormal blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety, neurological syndrome, various eye problems etc. Given the back benefits, many chiropractors now offer Chiropractic Acupuncture in addition to traditional chiropractic methods.

In November 1999 scientists from the Research Center for Complementary Medicine at Technische Universitat in Munich assessed the usefulness of acupuncture in treating headaches by methodically reviewing 22 randomized controlled trials. Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that acupuncture “has a role in the treatment of recurrent headaches.”

A number of studies have pointed out that acupuncture might improve patients who have had a stroke. Johannson et al of Lund University Hospital in Sweden found major improvement in a group of stroke patients who received acupuncture during the acute phase, compared with an untreated group, regarding evaluations of walking, balance, activities of daily living, quality of life, mobility, and emotional state.

Practitioners of acupuncture and other forms of Chinese traditional medicine believe that attending to the cause of illness, treating the whole person, and focusing on balance of the immune system leads to significant benefits in long-term health management. For many, this can mean the end of struggles with different types of medication and their side effects.

Adam O’Connor
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/studies-indicate-acupuncture-can-improve-quality-of-life-80468.html

I’m still in high school, but I’m planning to go into acupuncture,
apparently i need at least 3 years of undergraduate studies before enrolling into that school.
so i need to go to some random university, study something for 3 years, and then change to that school? So if i graduate from that acupuncture school, it doesn’t matter which other university i went to before?
im just confused, why cant i just go to their school right after graduating high school?

Warning! Acupuncture doesn’t work. You can stick those needles in anywhere and get the exact same effect – it’s the placebo effect and nothing more. You can become a real nurse in 3 years or less and get a good-paying job where you’re not scamming people. Unless your whole goal in life is to scam people out of their money and health – in which case, just start a new religion. It’s faster.

Standard acupuncture charts can be purchased that aid in identifying the name and locations of the meridian and acupoints on the front and back of the human body. An acupuncture chart will accurately show the location of the14 primary meridians as well as some of the extra points. Most acupuncture charts also show the names and locations of meridian and acupoints on lateral sides of the human body. Normally, they also have the international standard nomenclature and alphanumeric codes.

Some acupuncture charts come in sets that may be further divided into smaller sets that show the acupoints on the whole body surface (i.e. the back, neck, front, back and lateral sides of the human body, as well as the trunk of the body and other parts of the anatomy contained in different layers). There are also charts that show the upper limbs. Other acupuncture charts will show the entire human anatomy while others simply show regions of the human anatomy.

The acupuncture chart first became prevalent during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) when the Chinese first printed vernacular literature in great numbers. However, over the ensuing hundreds of years they have become increasingly well known. Acupuncture charts appeared in manuals dealing with Chinese medicine and the purpose was both to instruct and identify the proper location of the acupoints. In addition to the reasons just given acupuncture charts were maintained for Chinese medicine which included reflexology, moxibution, massage and a number of other specialties.

Illustrations Aid in Understanding

Acupuncture charts don’t explain how to needle the body but rather are diagrams that show the path of channels or meridian conduits as well as the location of acupuncture points. Because there are a great deal of acupuncture points, the acupuncture charts can only display a fraction of the channels and acupuncture points which are being discussed in the text of the chart. As a result, many acupuncture charts correspond with the specific body part, body function or disorder that needs to be treated.

A few common acupuncture charts are for the ear, foot, head and stomach. Other charts also describe healing methods of hot and cold diseases as well as other ailments.

The bottom line with acupuncture charts is that their primary function is to serve as a visual enhancement to the text and they are not intended to stand alone.

Tip – For more information on Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, check out the links below.

Brian Winkels
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/acupuncture-charts-a-closer-look-at-the-14-meridians-107990.html

There is an accredited school in NJ for acupuncture but it is a master diploma, not a master degree whereas the acupuncture schools in NY offers the Masters degree program but is double the tuition and takes more time. Does it really matter if you have a degree? As long as you are licensed to work, it shouldn’t matter right?

To legally practice acupuncture in New Jersey you do need to complete an accredited degree program before you can be licensed.(1)

You are also required to pass NCCAOM board exams to be licensed in New Jersey. Just to sit for the exams you must be enrolled in an accredited degree program. Later to receive your Dipl. of Acupuncture, or Diplomate of Oriental Medicine from the NCCAOM you must provide transcripts demonstrating graduation from the accredited program.(2)

1 -http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/laws/acuregs.pdf
2 -http://www.nccaom.org/applicants/eligibility.html

The acupuncture school is part of the oriental medicine, which is, along with the western medicine, the most important medicine school in the world. The term derives from the Latin acus, which means needle, and pungo(punctura), which means to puncture.

Acupuncture is actually an effective method of diagnosing, preventing and treatment all kinds of illnesses with the help of special metal needles which are inserted into the patient’s body. The needles are inserted in special locations which are called acupuncture points. Uninitiated people may already have a nasty nagging sensation when thinking about all this but the truth is that an acupuncture specialist will make each insertion no more painful than a mosquito bite.

The origin of acupuncture dates back from antiquity, when it is said that Chinese warriors found out that getting hit by an arrow in a specific part of the body helped another part of the body recover from previous injuries.

Although it has a long history, acupuncture has not had an easy ride all the way. Controversies existed along the way, but it was its fascination and effectiveness that kept it alive. Entire libraries of books have been written, books which define over 600 acupuncture points. However, in the 19th century, the acupuncture school fell victim to the western trained Chinese doctors. Only folk medicine kept it alive, although it was forbidden in hospitals all over China.

However, in the 20th century, in 1949 to be more specific, Chairman Mao worked at rehabilitating traditional Chinese medicine and placing it into a modern context. At that time, there were about 70.000 practitioners of modern medicine and about 500.000 traditional doctors. Nowadays, it’s estimated that about 90% of China’s illnesses are taken care of (at least partially) with the help of acupuncture.

For each particular acupuncture point, there are observations which account for thousands of years of experience. There are many dedicated Chinese doctors who devoted their lives into the study of a single acupuncture point, and who have passed on their knowledge to their students.

So in the 20th century, the whole acupuncture science was researched again under Chairman Mao’s insistence. The entire system was put in a scientific and logical manner, and thus modern acupuncture was born. It combines elements of traditional Chinese medicine with the modern western approach. This has not been a fortunate combination all the way though, as there are many differences in the two approaches.

As the acupuncture medicine states, human body is filled with life energy, which circulates through the body, by means of invisible pathways which all called meridians. This can be compared to the system of aircraft routes, which is invisible in the sky, but it exists nonetheless. Each meridian is associated with a vital organ, such as the heart, kidney, lungs, etc.

There are also other basic differences between the two medicine schools, but one thing is clear though: acupuncture has been around for thousand of years, and it couldn’t have been without effectiveness. That’s why the acupuncture school is still an important part of oriental medicine.

Ben Franklin
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/acupuncture-treatment-stands-the-test-of-time-105980.html

Studies have shown that there is an increase in the number of children that have been diagnosed with autism. Until now, doctors have not yet found a cure to this illness which is why some parents want to experiment with alternative forms of treatment and one example is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach in treating and preventing certain diseases. Its main tool are very thin needles that are inserted to targeted points in the body. The body has about 400 of them linked through a system known as meridians or pathways. Once these are stimulated, these are supposed to create balance in the body.

Autism on the other hand is a brain disorder that is long term. This disease is characterized by deficits in language, social communication and cognition. Children who are diagnosed with this illness may also suffer from secondary problems such as aggression, irritability, stereotypes, hyperactivity, negativism, volatile emotions, temper tantrums, short attention span and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Preliminary studies have shown that acupuncture may provide symptomatic relief to children suffering from autism. Although difficult at first, it is believed that it is rewarding in the long run. This is because while conventional therapy and treatment requires that the child stay still, acupuncture doesn’t. Some say it’s a quick prick at the vital points in the body.

A group of children in the US participated in a test to see how effective acupuncture is among children. There are 22 respondents and each of them was given the treatment once every other day for four months.

After the treatment 20 out of the 22 respondents showed remarkable improvement. In fact 2 of them has cerebral blood flow. The only thing that did not change prior to treatment and after was the blood flow between the left and right cerebrum as it showed no differences.

Aside from traditional acupuncture to help children with autism, a preliminary study in Hong Kong is trying to see if tongue acupuncture can produce better results.

Results have showed that of 30 respondents in the test, majority showed functional improvement of various degrees depending on the age and severity of their disabilities. Some improvement was noticeable within a few TAC sessions, especially for drooling, spasticity (scissoring or tiptoeing), ataxia, and poor balance in walking. Functional improvement was noted after one to two courses of TAC. Most children tolerated TAC well, with only occasional pain and minor bleeding in some patients.

The reason why tongue acupuncture is being experimented with is because there is a connection between the tongue and the heart through the meridians that spread to all the organs in the body. It is believed that the points on the tongue can influence the state of the other body organs thus giving relief to the one suffering from autism.

But many believe that acupuncture alone cannot help autism sufferers. It has to be combined with other things like maintaining a certain diet to help improve one’s mood and communication schools. Although it is only short term, it is better than nothing until a cure is found.

When will the cure be found? Only time can tell as there are many other questions that have to be answered in order for doctors to further understand neurological disabilities. Doctors who are conducting research believe that an interdisciplinary approach is needed given that acupuncture has shown positive results in helping children with autism.

Paul Hata
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/how-to-treat-autism-with-acupuncture-525459.html