What is medical acupuncture?
Medical acupuncture uses fine needles inserted beneath the skin to target specific areas of the body that are causing pain, stiffness or other symptoms. It's one of the cornerstones of Chinese traditional medicine. When performed by trained medical professionals, acupuncture can be very effective in treating a broad range of conditions affecting different systems of the body.
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
Because they are not used to deliver medicine, acupuncture needles are extremely thin and fine, not nearly as thick or stiff as the needles used in vaccinations or other types of injections. Used by a medical professional skilled in acupuncture techniques, most patients experience little to no discomfort and may only experience a slight tingling feeling when the needle reaches its target.
What is the purpose of acupuncture?
Acupuncture has three primary objectives:
to relieve symptoms like pain and stiffness
to strengthen the body's natural immune system
to balance the body's functions to restore health and well-being
How does medical acupuncture work?
The exact mechanism underlying acupuncture treatment is not well understood. In Chinese tradition, acupuncture is thought to balance and integrate the body's natural flow of energy, or qi. Acupuncture treats energy along the meridians where this energy flows, using some of the more than 2,000 acupuncture points that have been identified on the body. Some researchers believe acupuncture works by stimulating biochemical responses that release natural painkillers such as endorphins as well as eliciting an immune system response. Still others believe acupuncture helps alter the release of neurotransmitters associated with specific symptoms.
Is acupuncture safe?
Yes. In fact, acupuncture has been approved by the FDA since 1996 for use by licensed practitioners who follow specific guidelines regarding its application.
