How Acupuncture Keeps You Healthy
Annie Beal
For thousands of years, the Chinese and other Asian cultures have
understood the value of acupuncture in promoting and maintaining
the body's health. In fact, more people have been treated by
acupuncture throughout history than by all other medical
treatments combined.
Acupuncture helps the body to heal in a natural manner without
pain or harmful side effects. It is used to treat illnesses, but
it can also improve the overall functioning of the body's organs
and systems.
Acupuncture is based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine view of
the body as a system of organs and tissues that are connected by
pathways called meridians. These pathways are channels through
which life energy is passed to each of the body's systems.
The body needs this energy in order to keep the organs and
tissues properly nourished and functioning. If for any reason the
pathways become blocked, the tissues and organs that are not
receiving the energy that they need will become painful or
dysfunctional.
Acupuncture uses thin needles and often electrical or heat
stimulation in order to re-open these pathways. Inserting
acupuncture needles into one of the more than 350 acupuncture
points on the body helps restore the normal flow of life energy.
Modern science has a different explanation for why acupuncture
works. This view of acupuncture is that the insertion of needles
stimulates the nervous system. The nervous system then releases
chemicals in the areas of the body that are stimulated as well as
in the spinal cord and the brain. The chemicals then lessen the
experience of the pain.
Or, the chemicals may stimulate the body to release other
chemicals that help the body regulate itself. The result is that
the body is more balanced biochemically. This means that the
overall function of your body and its systems is improved.
Regardless of the explanation for why it works, acupuncture has
been shown to be very helpful for patients in several different
ways. Chronic pain, particularly back pain, is the most common
reason that people visit an acupuncturist. But other symptoms
such as headaches, digestive disorders or other types of chronic
pain have been show to respond well to acupuncture treatment as
well.
A certified, licensed acupuncture specialist can be a valuable
tool in your treatment of any chronic ailment or disorder that
you are experiencing. However, it should not be undertaken
without consulting your physician first. In fact, your
acupuncturist will likely consider himself or herself to be an
additional source of help for you, not a sole one.
Also, you should be prepared to undertake acupuncture as a
regular form of treatment. It is not something that can be done
once or twice and have the effects last. In order to keep the
body's energy flowing in a normal, healthy way and to gain the
greatest benefit from the procedure, regular consistent visits
will likely be necessary.
Be sure that you discuss your condition and your future
treatments with your acupuncturist. That way you will be able to
understand what will be necessary in order to remain as healthy
as possible.
Annie Beal makes it easy for anyone to feel better naturally with
acupuncture and acupressure. To receive your free 7-part mini-
course visit:
http://www.acupuncturegold.com/tips.html
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