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

Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been around for more than 2500 years and is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for back pain.

According to the theory of acupuncture, energy-called chi or qi-flows through the body along pathways called meridians. If the flow of chi is interrupted, pain or illness can occur. When that happens, very thin needles can be inserted along the meridians to correct the flow of chi.

Like all back pain treatments, acupuncture seems to be most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments. It is also very safe, with no known risks as long as you choose a reputable practitioner. Needles are sterile, disposable, and FDA-approved. In the U.S. they are used only one time, sealed before use, and disposed as hazardous waste after treatment.

During an acupuncture treatment session, the practitioner will insert anywhere from one to twenty needles into various places in the body. Some needles may go in just under the skin, while others may go deeper into muscle and fat.

Needles will be left in from fifteen to thirty minutes. The practitioner may turn needles one way or another after inserting them into the body, or leave some in for only a few seconds before removing them and inserting them elsewhere in the body.

You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture is rarely described as painful. In fact, many people find it relaxing and even fall asleep during treatment. Some people feel energized. One reason for this is the type of needles used. Acupuncture needles are very different from hypodermic needles. Instead they are very thin and fine, like hair. They are also solid, whereas hypodermic needles are not, as they are made to extract tissue. <br />

So getting acupuncture needles inserted into your skin will feel nothing like getting a shot at the doctor’s office.

Since some medical doctors also practice acupuncture, you will want to make sure they are licensed in acupuncture in addition to their other training.

To check if a practitioner is licensed and accredited, contact the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Ray Attebery
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/pain-can-acupuncture-help-your-back-pain-135041.html

I have to a project on Acupuncture. It is more like a poster project but college level. I am finding tons of information about acupuncture but am finding it hard to find more scientific things, and stay off the spiritual pathway for the project.

I am wondering if anyone has and ideas for my project that pertains to the scientific portion of acupuncture? Any ideas would help.

Try these links for they all have sections on acupuncture

Pubmed (one of the best resources for medical papers)
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov

The World Health Organization
www.who.int

National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
www.nccam.nih.gov

American Medical Association
www.ama-assn.org

Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com

John Hopkins Hospital
www.hopkinsmedicine.org

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov

Center for Sustainable Medicine
www.sustainablemedicine.org

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that produces scaly skin that is rather unsightly. Surprisingly, many people with psoriasis are able to find relief with acupuncture.

Because of its unsightliness – even to close family members, when psoriasis flares up it creates a problem. It can affect rather small patches or large areas on the body. Here is why acupuncture may be able to help psoriasis.

Causes of Psoriasis

The cause of psoriasis has not yet been determined. However it is known to be genetic, sometimes skipping a generation. The problem stems from a rapid growth of cell production. Cells are produced faster than they are lost so there is a build of cells that results in a scale effect.

Scientists are not certain what causes this scaling of the skin cells, but there is a general belief it is related to the immune system. It is considered to be a severe case of psoriasis when it covers 30% or more of the body. Those that have psoriasis are also candidates to get a form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis.

Things That Can Trigger Psoriasis

Psoriasis has a number of known things that can trigger a flare-up of the disease. It can remain relatively inactive, at times, but when these triggers occur, it will often produce a recurrence. These flare-ups are:

· Stress
· Food allergies
· Alcohol – in men only
· Smoking

What Is Acupuncture

Acupuncture comes from China and has been used there for over 2,000 years. It is based on the Chinese religious beliefs that the universe, and our bodies should have a balance of the oscillating forces of yin and yang.

Problems in the body come when this balance is lost. Chi, or the life force, normally flows through the body in a balance, along certain pathways called meridians.

When the chi is stopped along some lines, problems develop. The acupuncture specialist inserts hait-thin needles of silver, gold, or copper, to help unblock the flow of life-energy. This will permit the body to bring about a healing of itself.

Use of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been known to bring about some excellent help for psoriasis. In fact, there have been cases where traditional medicine could not do much, but the acupuncture treatments were found to be quickly helpful.

Although more research is needed using acupuncture to treat psoriasis, results do look very good. Many studies have been performed in China showing significant improvement.

One of the best reasons that acupuncture can help with psoriasis, is because it is known to be able to relieve anxiety. Anxiety is one of the major triggers of psoriasis.

The exact reason why acupuncture works is unknown to medical science. It is known that acupuncture releases endorphins, the body’s own pain-killing chemicals. This may block some inflammatory mechanisms involved in psoriasis, or possibly prevents some nerve action from taking place.

An acupuncture treatment will usually last from around a couple of minutes to about an hour, at most. Treatments may also include other forms of acupuncture, such as electro-acupuncture, or laser acupuncture. Laser acupuncture uses mild lasers, instead of acupuncture needles.

Annie Beal
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-acupuncture-can-help-psoriasis-29358.html

Acupuncture Tampa is the search almost all seeking such services would opt to use when seeking an acupuncturist in Tampa. The problem is that the outcome of their query can be difficult to compare, especially if the searcher is not experienced in this area. Since almost all those attempting to procure the benefits of a medical acupuncturist in Tampa are not themselves practitioners, the process of comprehending the many factors that make each practitioner unique relative to the rest often proves challenging for those that do not set aside take time to learn the variables involved in the decision making process. When you are finished reading the highlights of this piece, the most important facets relating to selecting an acupuncture professional will make sense. You and your family will grasp the questions that must be asked of candidates for you as a customer, making sure you make the right choice for you.

When evaluating acupuncture practitioners in Tampa Bay, the more meaningful issues to consider are level of experience and education, and of course any medical certifications they hold. Clearly, the more experience someone has in something the nearer that person will be to perfecting their craft. Along the same lines, when it comes down to education, usually more is better. Experience level is relatively simple to identify as it is generally compared in years. Almost everyone understands the concept of educational accomplishment. As it relates to alternative medicine and acupuncture, medical abbreviations tend to be a little more confusing as many practitioners of acupuncture in Tampa refer to themselves as Doctors. The fact of the matter is that many of these so called Doctors have certificates of some sort or another certifying their claim. While this is all well and good, your insurance company sees the issue quite differently, and since they are the one paying their opinion definitely counts. Insurance companies will only reimburse for your acupuncture Tampa regiment if the Doctor overseeing it holds a traditional Medical Doctor designation.

Just as important as accepting insurance, real Medical Doctors are also able to provide drugs, order xrays, prescribe physical therapy, call for blood tests, and much more, many covered by insurance that cannot be provided by fake doctors. Despite the fact that You may think you have to pay a lot more for these offerings, the fact that almost all insurance firms will re-imburse for accupuncture often makes it more financially logical to utilize a board certified Medical Doctor instead of an imposter one that does not accept health insurance. In the even you find out your insurance does not cover these types of treatments, acupuncture costs from MDs tend to be only a little more than other practitioners, but the value they provide is almost always much greater. Because of this reason, and many of the reasons cited throughout this article, make totally certain that the practitioner you choose for your treatments of acupuncture is an MD, which will be easy for you to tell by the MD after their name. Stick with this advice and you will be pleased with the Acupuncture Treatments in Tampa,FL provided to you. Acupuncture Tampa is yours to be had

Micah West
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/acupuncture-tampa-provider-selection-1181859.html