Acupuncture Science

Are Religion and Acupuncture Compatible?

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.

Author Resource:- John Edmond writes regularly for The Acupuncture Alternative where you can read many more articles on acupuncture as a genuine religion and acupuncture and how the acupuncture alternative can help you stay healthy and make the most your life.

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Acupuncture: Still The Sharp Choice Alternative Pain Relief Method

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The ancient Chinese alternative healing method called Acupuncture is now a popular and widely accepted alternative pain relief method in the United States. An estimated 15 million Americans have tried this “unconventional” therapy. It is offered in many chronic pain clinics and is covered by some insurers and managed health organizations. The Chinese therapy of acupuncture has been used for millions of years to treat a range of ailments. Now it looks like Western medicine is getting the point. The intent of acupuncture therapy is to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering. The method by which this is accomplished, though it may seem strange and mysterious to many, has been tested over thousands of years and continues to be validated today.

The perspective from which an acupuncturist views health and sickness hinges on concepts of “vital energy,” “energy balance” and “energy imbalance.” Just as the Western medical doctor monitors the blood flowing through blood vessels and the messages traveling via the nervous system, the acupuncturist assesses the flow and distribution of this “vital energy” within its pathways, known as “meridians and channels.”

The World Health Organization recommends acupuncture as an alternative pain relief for more than 40 conditions as diverse as asthma and chronic pain. The Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture needles as medical devices, the same as it does surgical tools. And in 1997, a National Institutes of Health panel found acupuncture to be an acceptable treatment for many pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and general musculoskeletal pain.

Modern studies have revealed that acupuncture stimulates one or more of the signaling systems, which under certain circumstances, can increase the rate of healing response. This may be sufficient to cure a disease, or it might only reduce its impact (alleviate some symptoms). These findings can explain most of the clinical effects of acupuncture therapy.

It is also no surprise that some rheumatologists recommend acupuncture to be used alongside more conventional treatments. There are a few patients who even perform the acupuncture treatments on themselves.
When performed by a properly trained and licensed practitioner, acupuncture is safe and effective, free from adverse or addictive side effects. Quite often, a sense of relaxation and well-being occurs during and after treatments. While undergoing therapy for one ailment, other problems may resolve concurrently. This is a common side benefit that again demonstrates the value of balancing the quality and quantity of “vital energy” within the entire person.

Licensed acupuncturists know the human anatomy well, and insert needles in a safe fashion. The instruments used to penetrate the skin are either pre-sterilized and disposable after a single use, or disinfected and sterilized in an autoclave, as surgical and dental instruments are, after each use.
Although most evidence supporting acupuncture can be dismissed as anecdotal, trials have been done where acupuncture does show a pain relieving effect above placebo. The effect is not large, of the same magnitude as taking Aspirin or Ibuprofen, but nonetheless it's there and cannot be ignored.

Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com

Choose Variety of High Quality Medicines at Online MedicinesEnjoyed Reading this article? More here: Pharmacy ArticlesCecill Artates is a writer, athlete, and women's health advocate. She is also active in promoting sports and health among women and the youth in disadvantaged communities. The author is also currently researching on various alternative and natural medications.

How Dangerous is the Practice of Acupuncture?

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Acupuncture today is a widely used 2000 year old medical procedure stimulating a variety of body pressure points. This technique commonly involves the penetration of a persons skin with thin metallic needles, manipulated by the hands and/ or through electrical stimulation.

What is seen by many people to work wonders outside the realms of modern heavily tested medicine, is also seen by a similar number as having limited anecdotal evidence, in terms of actual effectiveness.

Whilst many people take this often termed 'alternative' medical method so as to relieve stress and reduce any pains, among other uses, rarely do these patients consider potential inherent dangers.

Generally problems don't arise from the application of acupuncture. Since the body's outer defense, the skin, is penetrated infection is the largest concern. Instances have purportedly arisen where re-used needles have spread ailments like hepatitis. Studies in the past on acupuncture infections have apparently shown 35 percent of all needles used to be 're-used'. In this case promoting the use of disposable needles is best, whenever engaging in invasive acupuncture.

Haematomas are apparently possible when major blood circulatory structures are punctured. Persons with bleeding disorders or on a course of steroids should not participate in acupuncture due to potential increased fragility of their tissues. Similarly, nerve injury may be possible, brain damage possible with deep skin penetration around the base of the skull.

Advice found on the internet states that people who have brittle bones, osteoporosis or a history of injuries to the spine should stay clear of acupuncture since it involves strong applications of localized physical pressure on the patients body. Indeed recommendations exist for keeping people with poor leg blood circulation away from leg acupuncture due to a possible worsening of their circulation, post-acupuncture. Carpal tunnel syndrome (pinching of nerves leading to prolonged numbness and sharp jolts of pain) is also said to potentially get aggravated through the use of acupuncture.

Other acupuncture problems encountered have been isolated cases of lung or bladder punctures through too deep insertion of the acupuncture needles.

Needles can on rare occasions break, or allergic reactions can take place if the needles are constructed from more exotic materials than the usual steel.

The use of acupuncture on pregnant women has been said to increase particular hormones responsible for bringing the onset of labor. The fetus has been claimed to be harmed by the actions of acupuncturists during early pregnancy.

Stories abound of all kinds of yet more unusual dangerous happenings. Some acupuncture practitioners have claimed that patients have been admitted to mental hospitals after inappropriate acupuncture sessions, such is their perceived power inherent in this Chinese art.

The World Health Organization has apparently claimed that if doctors recognized acupuncture as a so called 'proper' medical procedure unscrupulous practitioners would be less likely to take up acupuncture due to it being more regulated.

Another point of view has surfaced stating that acupuncture works with religious, psychological and occult principles, not scientific principles. As such, the scientific community would never accept acupuncture as a truly practical medical procedure.

Over reliance on alternative therapies should be kept to a minimum since practitioners are not usually trained doctors that are able to recognize serious illnesses from their symptoms.

Acupuncture needs to be administered in hygienic premises on a patient that is not suffering in any way, e.g. exhausted, bleeding or heart trouble. What must be remembered is that all of these dangers can be kept to an absolute minimum through using trained/ professional acupuncturists.

Author Resource:- If you want to know the location of the nearest acupuncture treatment center visit http://www.acupuncturetreatmentcenter.com/acupuncturealerts/15/find-acupuncture-schools/ .

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