Acupuncture Essay, Research Paper

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that treats illness

and provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at

predetermined sites of the body. Acupuncture may also follow

many other forms. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin

word acus, meaning needle, and pungere, meaning puncture. The

Chinese call acupuncture Chen Chiu.

On doing my research over acupuncture I used many

different sources. I got most of my information from the Internet.

I discovered a large acupuncture clinic in Houston and contacted

them over the phone. I never really realized that acupuncture was

used so much in this country, but there are many places

acupuncture is used in the United States.

Acupuncture is used in the treatment of a wide variety of

medical problems. It is used for ear, nose, and throat disorders,

respiratory disorders, Gastrointestinal disorders, Eye disorders, and

Neurological and Muscular disorders. The needles used in

acupuncture are usually only inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch deep into

the skin. There is usually no pain in acupuncture. Usually if any

pain it is only mild. Most of the needles now used in acupuncture

are disposable needles. Acupuncture does not always only involve

needles. They may also use other methods such as moxibustion,

cupping, electronic stimulation, magneotherapy and various types

of massage. There are also many different styles of acupuncture

practiced all over the world.

There are many things to consider when choosing an

acupuncturist. Acupuncture is a licensed and regulated healthcare

profession in about half the states in the United States. There are

many acupuncture practices which are not certified, so when

choosing one some research is required. If you get acupuncture

usually between five to fifteen sessions are required, depending on

the severity of the complaint. Many acute conditions only require

a single treatment. The main thing to remember when receiving

acupuncture is to simply relax. After acupuncture treatments

much of the pain may be gone after the first treatment, or in some

cases it takes more. In some cases the pain may become worse,

this is known as the rebound effect.

The clinic I got most of my information from is a clinic in

Houston. They specialize in Acupuncture Therapy for diseases

and conditions such as acute and chronic pain, degenerative

diseases, arthritis, M.S., post-stroke, migraine headaches, lower

back pain, facelifts, weight reduction, and smoking control. The

Dr. that performs acupuncture at this clinic is Dr. Duong Hoang

(M.D.), C.A. The fees vary according on types of treatment. And

usually a complete physical examination is required before your

first acupuncture session.

Through my research over this topic I learned many things. I

never really realized that acupuncture was such a big business. It

is becoming more and more popular all over the world. In Canada

acupuncture is very common, and seems to be becoming more

common in the United States.