Alpha Acupuncture

The answer in short: not clear yet. Acupuncture is one of the primary methods of treatment in traditional Oriental medicine over 3000 years old. Acupuncture is based on a meridional theory, which incorporates a system of channels through which vital energy, or Qi flows. A number of methods have been used to identify meridians and to explain them anatomically. Thus, tendinomuscular structures, primo-vessels (Bonghan ducts), regions of increased temperature and low skin resistance have been suggested to represent meridians or as methods to identify them. However, none of these methods have met the criteria for a meridian, an entity that, when stimulated by acupuncture can result in clinical improvement. More recently, modern physiologists have put forward the “neural hypothesis” stating that the clinical influence of acupuncture is transmitted primarily through stimulation of sensory nerves that provide signals to the brain, which processes this information and then causes clinical changes associated with treatment. Although additional research is warranted to investigate the role of some of the structures identified, it seems clear that the peripheral and central nervous system can now be considered to be the most rational basis for defining meridians. Please refer to here for more detail. There might not be an answer in the near future. Acupuncture is based on theory in the energy level, not the substance level. It's far beyond where the current advanced technology can reach. We might never come out an answer. It doesn't matter at all, as long as it works!

The scientific basis of acupuncture meridians

AcupunctureSeptember 29, 2022

The answer in short: not clear yet. Acupuncture is one of the primary methods of treatment in traditional Oriental medicine over 3000 years old. Acupuncture is based on a meridional…

Acupuncture is a process of inserting thin needles in specific points of the body to regulate the flow of energy or Qi. It is a natural and safe practice to get relief from different kinds of medical conditions. World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged that acupuncture therapy is effective in treating 47 medical conditions including back pain, acne, insomnia asthma, infertility, obesity, and irritable colon syndrome. A study of 2.2 million acupuncture sessions showed the overall incidence of acupuncture-related adverse events was 8.6% among which 2.2% of the patients required medical treatment. The vast majority of adverse events were due to minor bleeding/hematomas (6.1%), pain (1.7%) or vegetative symptoms such as vertigo, nausea etc. (0.7%). Thirty-five patients suffered from breathing difficulties after acupuncture treatment but only two cases of pneumothorax were reported. Furthermore, 31 patients suffered a nerve injury, which in one case lasted 180 days but overall no permanent injuries or deaths occurred (Ref). Here are some common side-effects of acupuncture 1 Bruising Although all trained acupuncturist will avoid visible vessels, slight bruising at the needling site is still very common after acupuncture. This is because the collection of blood at the site where the needle punctures the skin, or the needle breaks small vessels under skin. Extra caution is necessary for people using blood thinner. Bruising lasts longer than soreness, it takes from 1-7 days to disappear. Overall, bruising is not big issue. 2 Soreness After the treatment, you may feel a little sore at the local area where needles are inserted. This happens commonly in sensitive areas like hands and feet. Usually, the soreness can last 1-3 days without any consequence. 3 Dizziness Few people also experience dizziness or lightheadedness immediately after needles are inserted or post-treatment. Needle should be removed by acupuncturists, and patients should lay down on the acupuncture table for some time and take some deep breath. Also, to avoid such a situation, always eat something before your session. 4 Fatigue Very few people feel tired or even exhausted after acupuncture. This only happens when the patients are relatively weak or empty stomach for a while. It generally disappears a few hours after rest and having some food, but for some people, it lasts for up to several days. This is very rare and and one must not worry about it. 5 Pneumothorax This is known as the most common serious complication following acupuncture, but it is quite rarely reported. Patient will immediately experience chest pain and shortness of breathing minutes after a needle was inserted near the lung area. This need emergent medical treatment. According to a large study, two cases of pneumothorax out of 2.2 million acupuncture sessions, were reported. Every trained acupuncturist should be very aware of this safety issue.

What are the negative side effects of acupuncture?

AcupunctureSeptember 29, 2022

Acupuncture is a process of inserting thin needles in specific points of the body to regulate the flow of energy or Qi. It is a natural and safe practice to…

Many Bone or Joint Surgery is not better than nonsurgical options

KneeSeptember 29, 2022

New York Times reports recently, for many common problems of the knee, hip, shoulder, spine and wrist, surgery may be no more effective than options like exercise, physical therapy and…

Allergic rhinitis is prevalent across the globe. It is estimated that nearly 10–20% of the global population suffers from the disease. In the US, the disease reportedly affects up to 60 million people annually, with self-reported rates at 10–30% in adults and 40% in children. In addition, the US reports annual direct health expenditures range of between $2 and 5 billion. Allergic rhinitis negatively affects the quality of life and results in reduced work productivity, thus is considered a serious threat to the way of life globally. According to Chinese medicine, allergy is mostly due to the coldness invaded in your body, mainly in lung system. Therefore, when spring season comes, Yang energy is going up and out, and body tries to dispel the coldness outside. Sneezing and running nose are considered part of body's self defense. Using needle or herb to help body boost yang qi and dispel the coldness, can therefore effectively treat allergy. Our acupuncture clinic is specialized acupuncture for allergy in New York. PS: San Fu treatments (Thanks for Dr. Mona Lee-Yuan,MS,L.Ac,OM,PT. New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine) San Fu treatments are used to "treat winter time diseases during the Summer". San fu Tian will begin on July 16, 2022. Here is a brief explanation of this very special treatment method Tian Jiu uses herbal mixtures which are grounded into paste (moxibustion patch) and applied on certain acupoints or affected areas. In TCM terminology, this effect “dredges the meridians”, “invigorate qi and increases blood flow”, “regulates the function of organs” and “balance Yin and Yang” to increase the body's immune system. Tian Jiu is an effective therapy to treat many allergy symptoms and chronic diseases. Since the purpose of Tian Jiu is to invigorate vital energy, “qi”, to enhance cold resistance of the body, this treatment is performed during the three hottest days of the year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar. These three days are called “San Fu” days, which means "3 applications". In other words, Tian Jiu is performed three times every year, and sometimes depending on the calendar, there is an extra Metal or Geng day, which this year has. To achieve the best therapeutic result, three times a year for a consecutive three years is recommended. San Fu dates are calculated using the Earthly Branches and Heavenly Stems system in the Daoist Calendar. You’re going to need a Chinese Almanac, a list of the 24 solar terms for the year, and a western calendar to calculate the conversion. San Fu dates are the yang metal days (庚 geng) that occur after the summer solstice and are 10 days apart. · For this year, start by finding the date for the summer solstice (2022 = June 21st). · The initial fu begins on the third 庚 geng day after the summer solstice (2022 = (1) June 26th, (2) July 6th, (3) July 16th) · The middle fu begins ten days later on the fourth 庚 geng day after the summer solstice (2022 = July 26th). · Look up the solar date for “Lì Qiū / 立秋 / Autumn Begins” (2022 = August 7th). · The final fu is the first 庚 geng day after “Lì Qiū / 立秋 / Autumn Begins” (2022 = August 15th) Every year is a little different, but there is often an extra 庚 geng day between the middle and last Fu days. Some years we’ll get three San Fu days, and some years we’ll get four. This year, 2022, we get an extra 庚 geng day on August 5th. If we’re lucky enough to get that extra day, the timing between all 4 dates is 10 days apart. But if we land on a year where that extra 庚 geng day doesn’t exist the timing between the middle and last San Fu day is 20 days long rather than ten.

Acupuncture treats allergy

AllergySeptember 29, 2022

Allergic rhinitis is prevalent across the globe. It is estimated that nearly 10–20% of the global population suffers from the disease. In the US, the disease reportedly affects up to…

What are the benefits of getting acupuncture?

AcupunctureSeptember 29, 2022

Originating in ancient China, acupuncture has been a proven alternative treatment throughout the world for centuries for common body ailments including chronic pain, stress and infertility. Millions of individuals throughout…

what is acupuncture best for?

AcupunctureSeptember 29, 2022

Many conditions may respond to acupuncture, including those related to the following: neurological system musculo-skeletal system respiratory system gynecologic and reproductive system digestive system genito-urinary system Acupuncture may also help…

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The scientific basis of acupuncture meridians

What are the negative side effects of acupuncture?

Many Bone or Joint Surgery is not better than nonsurgical options

Acupuncture treats allergy

What are the benefits of getting acupuncture?

what is acupuncture best for?

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