How Dangerous is the Practice of Acupuncture?
Alex Rider
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.
Do you require more information with regards to acupuncture? If so why
not visit http://www.acupuncturetreatmentcenter.com/acupuncturealerts/16/acupuncture-to-stop-smoking/
.
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