Acupuncture Definition

Have you heard of acupuncture loop chicago illinois, but you aren’t quite sure what it is? This is common experience for many individuals in western cultures. Based in ancient Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a popular method used to treat a variety of body ailments and physical and emotional conditions. During an acupuncture treatment session, thin needles are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupoints. The name acupuncture comes from the Latin word “acus” for needle and “punctura” – for the act of sticking needles. Below is more information acupuncture treatment and therapy.

Acupuncture treatment

While the name for the treatment literally translates to sticking needles, the actual practice involves more therapeutic methods than just needles. In broader terms, the treatment involves several techniques of triggering or stimulating the acupoints’ on the body. Often heat, pressure, massage, or lasers will be used during the treatment. The treatment originated in South-Eastern Asia between II century BC and II century AD, but its modern use has become popular in western cultures in the last 50 years. Today, many individuals use acupuncture therapy in conjunction with more conventional medicine treatments including drug-treatment.

Use of acupuncture therapy

In western cultures, there has been some resistance against the medicinal treatment styles of South-Eastern Asia. However, today the astounding effectiveness of acupuncture techniques are hard for traditional medical doctors to ignore. The amount of scientific evidence continues to grow to support acupuncture for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Here are some of the conditions that acupuncture therapy is commonly used to treat:

• Symptoms of emotional or stress disorders including anxiety, depression,lack of sleep, and PTSD
• Gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting, or irritable bowel syndrome and improving digestive health
• Chronic pain and tension including joint pain, back pain, and tension on the neck and shoulders
• Improvements in general health including targeting weight loss, improvements in sleep, and reducing fatigue

How does acupuncture work

In its traditional origins, it was believed that acupuncture methods targeted changing the flow of energy throughout the body. When energy is blocked, a condition may develop such as pain or tension or even result in an illness in the body. In its more modern use, it is believed that acupuncture has less to do with energy balance and is more focused on nerve stimulation. The strategic needle placement stimulates the nervous system to send signals. This stimulation results in the brain releasing hormones and proteins throughout the body, or specifically to the location being targeted.

Growing popularity of acupuncture

Despite the initial reluctance of western scientists and medical practitioners, the scientific evidence base has continued to grow to support the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Today, medical doctors are recommending acupuncture therapy for the treatment of chronic and persistent conditions that may not be improving with conventional treatment therapies. Sometimes the therapy is recommended in place of conventional therapy techniques, and other times it is recommended in conjunction with them. If you are interested in trying acupuncture treatment for a condition you are experiencing, have a discussion with your doctor today to see if acupuncture would be appropriate for you.

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