The practice of using needles to treat health conditions originated in China over 2,500 years ago but has since become popular in Western healthcare. As medicine has evolved, so has acupuncture.
Today, your options for acupuncture include electroacupuncture and laser acupuncture, which use electricity to increase relaxation.
Acupuncture is one of our many specialties at The Halliday Center, so we wanted to give you more knowledge about it.
Sources: National Library of Medicine, NCCIH
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has a centuries-old history, blending traditional Chinese medicine with Western practices. Today it is a highly-regarded practice, particularly for those who prioritize holistic wellness.
Historical Roots and Cultural Significance
Acupuncture comes from the rich Chinese traditional medicine (TCM), which is based on the body’s energy. TMC refers to this energy as qi (pronounced chi) and believes it flows along channels in the body.
When qi is balanced, the person is in perfect health – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Illness and disease occur when qi is unbalanced or blocked.
Acupuncture was created to restore balance and unblock qi. Specific acupuncture points were identified and are located on the qi pathways. Placing needles into the skin allows qi to move, resulting in good health.
Over time, as the globalization of medical procedures occurred, acupuncture became a popular practice in the West. To prove its efficacy, many studies were conducted.
Although some studies suggest acupuncture is simply a placebo, it’s believed to stimulate the body’s nervous system, releasing chemicals into muscles, brain, and spinal cord. This prompts the immune system and healing abilities—we’ll dive deeper into the research later.
The popularity of this practice has led to the development of a variety of different customs and technological advancements.
Specific countries have their own traditions and modern technology has helped develop laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture. These variants increase the beneficial effects of acupuncture, while also removing the need for physical needles.
Sources: NCCIH, NCCIH
Principles and Mechanisms of Action
The founding principles of acupuncture align with the more modern, scientific understandings.
Qi is comparable to the systems in the body, especially our nerves. Qi can be described as, “the body’s innate intelligence,” which is similar to the brain’s innate ability to regulate the bodily systems. And, the channels that qi flows in are similar to the central nervous system.
When needles are poked through the skin at various points, your body’s nerves are stimulated, telling the brain to release chemicals that are believed to increase natural healing abilities.
These chemicals are, in a sense, restoring balance to the body, leading to health.
Sources: Healthline, Johns Hopkins
Variations in Acupuncture Practices
Due to its long history, acupuncture has become a popular tradition in many countries and has adapted to different cultures. These varying styles include:
- Traditional Chinese acupuncture.
- Taiwanese “Tung” acupuncture. This system uses points that are close to bones and joints
- Japanese acupuncture. This style uses thinner needles and shallower insertion, using palpation to determine where to place the needles.
- Korean acupuncture. In Korea, they only use four needles to balance the practice in the body, focusing on the extremities.
There are different techniques used, including:
- Electroacupuncture. Needles with attached electric currents are placed in the skin, sending small waves of electricity to the central nervous system.
- Acupressure, which uses pressure using fingers instead of needles.
- Auricular acupuncture which applies needles to the outer ear.
Finding the right acupuncture style might require visiting various specialists to discover the best technique for you.
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What Is the Efficacy of Acupuncture?
There are conflicting scientific results on the effectiveness of acupuncture and often, the practice results in placebo effects. However, that does not diminish the pain-relieving effects.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can alleviate pain in areas such as:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Osteoarthritis
- Cancer pain
Examining Clinical Evidence
The clinical evidence of the efficacy of acupuncture varies based on the condition. Through randomized controlled trials (RCTs), acupuncture has been determined to help with pain control, nausea, and headaches.
A review of 22 randomized controlled trials revealed that acupuncture minimized lower back and neck pain, and the effects were better than that of no treatment or sham acupuncture. It was also reported that the effects were equal to those brought on by drug treatment.
Studies have also shown slight evidence that acupuncture manages pain after operations or cancer treatment. As for headaches, acupuncture has shown to reduce the side effects brought on by medication and decrease the frequency.
Source: NCCIH
Understanding Placebo Effects and Sham Acupuncture
Part of conducting an RCT involves comparing the results of actual acupuncture with sham acupuncture to distinguish placebo effects.
Sham acupuncture is a procedure that uses needles but does not actually puncture the skin. This simulation brings on nonspecific effects, which involve pain relief or other positive effects that are due to the belief in the practice instead of the actual mechanism.
Placebo effects can also be brought on by undergoing acupuncture, experiencing pain relief, and then imagining that procedure in the future.
Knowing when results are due to the placebo effect is vital in understanding the true scientific process that occurs during acupuncture, and what is due just based on belief.
Source: NCCIH
Considering Individual Variability and Patient Factors
Although the evidence suggests that acupuncture has shown real results for pain management and reduction of negative symptoms, everyone responds to the treatment differently.
Ultimately, it’s like any other treatment. A certain medication might work for someone, but not you.
There are different factors that affect how a patient responds to acupuncture, including:
- Their expectations of results,
- The relationship between the practitioner and the patient,
- The practitioner’s skill,
- Other factors that may be causing pain or discomfort,
- And treatment adherence.
What to Expect During an Acupuncture Session
Acupuncture services should be personalized and patient-focused.
Before beginning the treatment, your practitioner should perform a consultation. During this, they will ask what pain issues you are experiencing and what you hope to get out of the practice. This will better prepare you and put you in the right headspace to better adhere to treatment.
The actual session begins with clothing adjustments so your practitioner can easily place the sterilized needles. Slowly, they will insert the needles and use pressure, tapping, or electric pulses to stimulate the nerves. Then, you will be left for 15 to 30 minutes to fully relax. Finally, the needles are removed.
After the treatment, your practitioner will discuss guided “homework,” like adequate nutrition, acupressure, and other wellness techniques to further pain management.
Safety Considerations
Acupuncture is generally safe when performed by licensed and qualified practitioners, like those at The Halliday Center—so you have nothing to worry about. However, there are some risks associated with the procedure, including infections, the potential for organ or tissue damage that could lead to death, local skin reactions, and dizziness.
Schedule a session today and experience the transformative effects of acupuncture for yourself.
Acupuncture is a relatively simple wellness procedure, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. Over time it has evolved, blending with modern technology to create electroacupuncture and different varieties.
It has been shown to alleviate pain and reduce nausea and headaches. When done properly and in a safe environment, it is extremely beneficial for patients.
Explore holistic healing with The Halliday Center. Contact us for more information.
FAQs
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a holistic treatment option used to manage pain, reduce headaches and nausea, and provide relaxation. It has been around for thousands of years, originating from Traditional Chinese medicine.
What are the different types of acupuncture?
Due to its long history, acupuncture has varied from culture and blended with more modern and Western technology. Some cultures use different needle sizes or insertion places, and using electronic pulses for simulation has become popular.
How effective is acupuncture?
The effectiveness of acupuncture varies from patient to patient, but it has shown real results in minimizing pain. Sham (or stimulated) acupuncture has shown placebo effects that are still effective in managing pain.
What are the risks of acupuncture?
Acupuncture, when done correctly with a licensed practitioner, is relatively safe but can lead to tissue damage or infections.
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