Benefits of acupuncture
Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese health treatment technique that controls the flow of energy in the human body. The technique is based on the philosophy that energy flows through various channels (also referred to as meridians) across the body and when this flow gets disrupted, the body becomes susceptible to illnesses. The energy flow is then normalised by inserting special needles at specific points in the body, called the acupuncture points, and good health is restored. All though there is no proof of the exact period when this ancient technique originated, it can be safely assumed that it has been in practice since 2000 BC. "Neiching" or the "Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine", the oldest known book on Chinese medicine believed to have been written around 2700 BC, talks extensively on the use of acupuncture in China during that period. This is a clear indication that this technique must have originated much before this period.
Acupuncture spread to the western world around the seventeenth century when travelling Jesuit priests introduced this technique in their home country. Initially people were not comfortable with the idea of pricking themselves with needles, but gradually as they saw the benefits of the technique, it got acceptance. Today acupuncture is one of the most sought after alternate treatment techniques across the globe.
Benefits of Acupuncture
The benefits of acupuncture are aplenty. Over the centuries since its origin, the technique has been found to treat a wide array of illnesses. It elevates the levels of white blood corpuscles as well as neurotransmitters like serotonin and noradrenaline in the body. It also helps in the secretion of specific hormones, prostaglandins, gamma-globulins, antibodies and opsonins as well as in releasing vasodilators also known as histamines.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the technique for treatment of various health problems. Even the British Medical Association has acknowledged the scientific benefits of acupuncture. WHO has classified major health problems in to various categories and acupuncture is found to be effective in the treatment of most ailments that fall in each category. These include:
Respiratory diseases - acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and the common cold.Broncho-pulmonary diseases - Acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma
Eye disorders - acute conjunctivitis, cataract, myopia, and central retinitis.
Mouth Cavity disorders - toothaches, gingivitis, pharyngitis
Orthopedic disorders - periarthritis humeroscapularis, tennis elbow, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica. Gastrointestinal disorders - hiccups, gastroptosis, spasms that take place in the cardia and the oesophagus, gastric hyperacidity, acute and chronic gastritis, chronic duodenal ulcer, acute bacterial dysentery, acute as well as chronic colitis, constipation, diarrhoea, and paralytic ileus.
Neurological disorders " headaches, migraines, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, meniere's syndrome, intercostals neuralgia, nocturnal enuresis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction and paralysis that is caused by poliomyelitis.
With the development in modern medical science and the invention of various scientific instruments and equipments, acupuncture is increasingly being used in combination with these new technologies for better results. Studies conducted across the globe by researchers have proved the efficacy of acupuncture in treating various ailments. The technique has been found to be an effective therapy in post-accident rehabilitation of accident victims. Participants suffering from allergic asthma indicated an improvement in general well being after acupuncture sessions. It increases nocturnal melatonin secretion in the body and reduces insomnia and anxiety. It has also been found to be effective in reducing post treatment carpal tunnel syndrome pain. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia have also reported decreased pain levels after under going acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture is also being increasingly used by gynaecologists to prevent frequently recurring cystitis in women. A combination of acupuncture therapy and physiotherapy is an effective treatment for frozen shoulder. Laser therapy along with acupuncture also helps in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. Acupuncture helps in improving the contractile function of the blood vessels and helps normalise the diastolic values. It also decreases energy loss. All this helps in decreasing arterial blood pressure problem.
Apart from the above, acupuncture has also been found to be very effective in treating various complicated illnesses like diabetes, cancer and AIDS. Cancer patients undergoing painful chemotherapy sessions have reported that by taking acupuncture sessions they have been able to reduce the pain of the chemotherapy treatment. Besides it also helps them feel more energetic and helps them remain calm. Various clinical studies have proved the efficacy of acupuncture in treating HIV related fatigue, nausea, headaches, night sweats, diarrhoea, insomnia, shingles and Bell's Palsy. It helps in improving sleep activity and sleep quality.
Like many other traditional therapeutic techniques, acupuncture too has a cure for almost every illness that ails the human body. However acupuncture is not just a reactive technique; it is also a preventive technique. It is not just effective in curing ailments that have already struck the body. It is also effective in maintaining the general well being of the body even if it is under no threat of any specific disease. It helps a person feel more energetic and active. It induces a positive energy in the body that helps in remaining calm and happy and keeps away any potential illness. Physical well being brings along mental peace and stability, increases concentration and improves memory.
All said and done, acupuncture is a natural non-toxic medical therapy that has far reaching benefits on the human body.
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