AcupunctureALTERNATIVE THERAPY SEMINAR

Introduction

Acupuncture is a treatment derived from ancient Chinese medicine in which fine needles are inserted at certain sites in the body for therapeutic or preventative purposes.

Introduction

Theory

Traditional acupuncture is based on the belief that an energy, or "life force", flows through the body in channels called meridians. This life force is known as Qi (pronounced "chee").

Theory

Practitioners who adhere to traditional beliefs about acupuncture believe that when Qi does not flow freely through the body, this can cause illness. They also believe acupuncture can restore the flow of Qi, and so restore health.

Does it work?

Currently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) only recommends considering acupuncture as a treatment option for chronic lower back pain, chronic tension-type headaches and migraines. NICE makes these recommendations on the basis of scientific evidence.

There is also some evidence that acupuncture works for a small number of other problems, including neck pain and post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting.

Acupuncture is sometimes used for a variety of other conditions as well, but the evidence is not conclusive for many of these uses.

Who may not be able to have acupuncture? Because of the slight risk of bleeding, people with

bleeding disorders such as hemophilia, or people taking medication to prevent blood clotting anticoagulants may not be able to have acupuncture.

If you have a blood disorder or are taking anticoagulants, talk to your GP before you have acupuncture.

Acupuncture is also not usually advised if you have a metal allergy or an infection in the area where needles may be inserted.

Who may not be able to have acupuncture?

Before treatment, your acupuncture practitioner should ask you about any underlying conditions you have or medication you are taking, as some of these may affect the treatment you can have.

It is generally safe to have acupuncture when you are pregnant. However, you should let your acupuncture practitioner know if you are pregnant because certain acupuncture points cannot be used safely during pregnancy.

How acupuncture is performed? Typically, an initial acupuncture session will

involve an assessment of general health, a medical history and a physical examination, followed by insertion of the acupuncture needles.

Most acupuncture sessions last between 20 and 40 minutes.

Courses of treatment often involve up to 10 separate sessions, but this can vary.

Assessment and examination The acupuncture practitioner will first ask you

about your general health and your medical history.

If your visit is because of a specific health condition, they will ask about the symptoms of this condition and about any other treatment you have received for it.

After this, the acupuncture practitioner may carry out a physical examination.

Insertion of the needles After taking an appropriate medical history, the

acupuncture practitioner will begin the insertion of the acupuncture needles. These needles are inserted into specific places on the body, which practitioners call acupuncture points.

Insertion of the needles

During the session, you will usually be asked to sit or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some clothes so the practitioner can access the relevant parts of your body.

The needles used are fine and are usually a few centimeters long. They should be single-use, pre-sterilized needles that are disposed of immediately after use.

Insertion of the needles

Acupuncture practitioners choose specific points to place the needles based on your condition. From 1 to 12 points will typically be used during a session, and sometimes more depending on the number of symptoms you have.

The needles may be inserted just under the skin, or deeper so they reach muscle tissue. Once the needles are in place, they may be left in position for a length of time lasting from a few minutes up to around 30 minutes.

What does it feel like? You may feel a tingling or a dull ache when the

needles are inserted. You should not experience any significant pain. If you do, let your practitioner know straight away.

In some cases, your practitioner may rotate the needles or stimulate them with a mild electric current (known as electro acupuncture).

Mechanisms of Action

Several processes have been proposed to explain acupuncture's effects, primarily those on pain.

Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain.

These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body's self-regulating systems.

The biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

Main Mechanisms of Action There are three main mechanisms of action:

I. Conduction of electromagnetic signalsII. Activation of opioid systemsIII. Changes in brain chemistry sensation, and

Involuntary body functions

I. Conduction of electromagnetic signals Western scientists have found evidence that

acupuncture points an strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals.

Stimulating points along these pathways through acupuncture enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed at it greater rate than under normal conditions.

These signals may start the flow of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and of immune system cells to specific sites that are injured or vulnerable to disease.

II. Activation of opioid systems Researchers has found that several types of

opioids may be released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby reducing pain.

III. Changes in brain chemistry sensation, and Involuntary body functions Studies have shown that acupuncture may alter

brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neuro-hormones in a good way.

Acupuncture also has been documented to affect the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes whereby a person's blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature are regulated.

Conditions Appropriate for Acupuncture Therapy

Emotional Digestive • Anxiety • Depression • Insomnia • Nervousness • Neurosis

• Abdominal pain • Constipation • Diarrhea • Hyperacidity • Indigestion

Musculoskeletal Miscellaneous• Arthritis• Back pain • Muscle cramping • Muscle pain/weakness• Neck pain • Sciatica

• Addiction control • Athletic performance• Blood pressure regulation• Chronic fatigue • Immune system tonification• Stress reduction

Conditions Appropriate for Acupuncture Therapy

Gynecological Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat• Infertility • Menopausal symptoms• Premenstrual syndrome

• Cataracts • Gingivitis• Poor vision• Tinnitus • Toothache

Respiratory Neurological• Asthma • Bronchitis • Common cold• Sinusitis • Smoking cessation• Tonsillitis

• Headaches • Migraines • Neurogenic • Bladder dysfunction• Parkinson's disease • Postoperative pain• Stroke

Risks and side effects

Acupuncture is safe when it is conducted by a qualified practitioner.

Mild, short-lasting side effects do occur in some cases, however, including:• pain where the needles puncture the skin • bleeding or bruising where the needles puncture the

skin • drowsiness• feeling sick• feeling dizzy or faint• worsening of pre-existing symptoms

Risks and side effects

Serious complications from treatment, such as infections or damage to tissue, are extremely rare.

They usually only occur as the result of bad practice, carried out by an acupuncture practitioner who has not been properly trained.

Risks and side effects

The most common serious injury reported from the needles of acupuncture has been accidental puncture of the lung, which results in a partial collapse of the lung called pneumothorax.

The most common infection reported from acupuncture treatments is viral hepatitis, a potentially serious infection of the liver.

Risks and side effects

Other side effects include bacterial infections locally at the site of needle insertion in the skin and elsewhere in the body.

Generally, side effects seem to relate to poor hygiene and training of the acupuncturist.

Refrence

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

WebMD (www.webmd.com) www.medicinenet.com www.nhs.uk

Done by

Ahmed Barakat Al Tantawy Ahmed Osama Fathy Ibrahim Osama Awad Steit

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