The History and Benefits of Acupuncture

You’ve probably heard of acupuncture before, but you might not know much about it except that it involves needles. Did you know that acupuncture is a treatment that dates back thousands of years? Did you know that it can benefit people suffering from several ailments? And did you know that it is an affordable treatment as well?

This article is for everything you know about acupuncture and for everything you don’t about acupuncture. So keep reading for a history lesson as well as a list of benefits and other information about this treatment.

A Brief History of Acupuncture 

Acupuncture is an ancient healing technique, originating in China and dating back 3,000 years. The exact origins of acupuncture are unknown, but according to the book The Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor, it’s origins have been traced to around 305-204 B.C.E. With the rising popularity of acupuncture throughout Asia, it spread to many other regions and by the 6th century C.E., acupuncture had spread to Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese cultures and then out West.

From there, acupuncture has made its way through the centuries and has been on the rise in the U.S. since the 1970’s. In 1997, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) acupuncture was declared as a safe and practical treatment for numerous medical ailments. Today, it is mainly used to relieve pain and is covered by most insurance policies. 

How It Works

Some people might think acupuncture is just simply sticking a needle into the body and leaving it there, but it’s more complex than that. For starters, you can’t just use any needle for acupuncture. Using needles like the ones used for getting blood drawn or getting a tattoo won’t work- hair-thin needles are used for acupuncture. The reason they use these hair-thin needles is because of traditional Chinese medicine beliefs. 

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that acupuncture points occur in the body at those spots where qi energy flows. The qi is the body’s life energy and sometimes it becomes blocked or disturbed, which is what causes health issues to occur within the body. By inserting these needles into the qi points, the body’s qi energy is restored, allowing the body to balance its energy, promoting relaxation and stimulating healing.

It’s not fully understood how acupuncture works, but with the number of people who swear by it, there’s proof that it does work and can benefit those in need.

The Conditions it Benefits 

There are numerous conditions that can benefit from a good acupuncture session. It’s a lengthy list with a large range of conditions on it, which includes, but isn’t limited to:

Some people have even used acupuncture to help promote fertility. Others have used it as a way to help them quit smoking and to help kick other addictions. Acupuncture can even be used for cosmetic purposes. Known as facial acupuncture, it can be used to improve the skin’s appearance. 

There are other conditions that can possibly be supported by acupuncture. Those conditions are, but aren’t limited to:

If you have any of these conditions or any other that you might think acupuncture can help, consult with an acupuncturist who has experience and can best aid you in deciding if this is the right treatment for you or not. 

What You Can Expect From a Treatment

Before you even have your initial appointment, the acupuncturist will ask you to complete a health history. This will include, but isn’t limited to:

• Diet
• Sleep
• Stress level
• Temperature & seasonal sensitivity 
• What foods you like/dislike
• Your appetite
• Your emotions
• Your health concerns

They make ask about other lifestyle habits as well. 

During the Appointment

Before any needles are inserted into you, the acupuncturist will do a thorough and careful examination of you. They will take note of your complexion, tongue color and coating, and your voice. The acupuncturist will also take your pulse at three points on each of your wrists, making note of the rhythm, strength, and quality of your pulse. This is done because, in Chinese medicine, the pulses and the tongue are considered reflections of your organ and meridian health. Depending on your reason for considering acupuncture, they may perform additional physical examinations to check more aspects of your health. Once your health and individual needs have been assessed, the acupuncturist will be able to recommend the best treatment plan for your particular condition. 

During the Procedure

Once the right treatment has been decided, the treatment can begin. To start the treatment, you will lay down on the treatment table in a comfortable position while the acupuncturist inserts the needles into the acupoints that need stimulation. Typically six to fifteen needles will be used each treatment. The typical length of the treatment can range from 10 to 30 minutes, but the initial visit will be 60 minutes due to the examination and then the treatment itself. 

Depending on the type of acupuncturist you go to, they might use different techniques in your treatment. Here are some of the other techniques they might use in your treatment: 

• Auricular acupuncture: Also known as ear acupuncture. This treatment is sometimes used to treat addictions, anxiety, smoking, and weight loss. 
• Cupping: In traditional Chinese Medicine, cupping is used to improve blood and qi flow. This method is done by applying glass cups to the skin to create a suction effect.  
• Electroacupuncture: Two to four acupuncture needles are connected by an electrical device. This weak electrical current stimulates the acupuncture needles during the treatment. It is believed this form of acupuncture can restore health and well-being and is a good treatment for pain. 
• Herbs: Chinese herbs may be given to a patient in the form of capsules, pills, and teas.
• Laser acupuncture: This form of acupuncture doesn’t need needles. It stimulates acupuncture points with a low-intensity and non-thermal laser irradiation. 
• Moxibustion: This method involves the use of heated sticks made from dried herbs. These sticks are held near the needles to stimulate and warm the acupuncture points.

After the Procedure

Everyone responds to acupuncture differently. Some people feel energized, while other people feel relaxed, and some people don’t feel anything at all! If you don’t feel any improvement within a few weeks, then acupuncture might not be the right treatment for you. And if you begin to experience or notice any unusual or adverse effects from the treatment, then consult your doctor immediately. 

Other Questions You Might Have About Acupuncture

When going to your doctor or acupuncturist, you will have a lot of additional questions about acupuncture. It’s natural to have questions about a new procedure. So here are some of the questions- and the answers to them- that you might have about acupuncture! 

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

People associate needles with pain, so it’s understandable why this question would come to mind. You might feel a slight ache, pain, pinch, or sting as the needle is being inserted, but you shouldn’t feel a lot of pain. If you experience a lot of pain, discomfort, or numbness during the treatment, notify your acupuncturist immediately.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments needed will differ from person to person. Some people will generally feel better in one to two treatments. For problems that are more complex or chronic conditions, one or two treatments over a period of several weeks may be needed. Acute problems range from eight to ten treatments in total. But you won’t know the number of treatments you will need until you have your individualized treatment plan. 

What are the Side Effects & Risks of Acupuncture?

Like all other treatments, acupuncture comes with side effects and risks. Some of the most common side effects are bleeding from the insertion of the needles, minor bruising around the site area, and pain. The adverse effects are: Allergic reactions, bleeding, bruising, dizziness, fainting, infections, nausea, pain, and skin rashes. 

However, if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, have a bleeding disorder, are on blood thinners, or have certain other serious conditions, then you should consult with your doctor before even considering acupuncture as a treatment. The conditions listed and other serious conditions are at risk for severe complications due to acupuncture. Some of those risks are, but are not limited to: 

• Blood vessel injury
• Central nervous system injury
• Hemorrhaging
• Nerve injury
• Punctured organs
• Spinal cord injury

How Do I Choose the Right Acupuncturist?

Choosing the right acupuncturist is no different than choosing the right doctor. The steps are the same, but if you don’t know what those steps are, here they are:

• Ask for recommendations from trusted sources.
• Research the practitioner. Check their credentials and training. If they are a non-physician acupuncturist, check to see if they’ve taken and passed the exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
• Interview them. Ask them questions about the treatment and what it’s involved in it. Find out if the treatment will be beneficial to you or not. 
• Find out how much it will cost you. From there, find out if your insurance will cover the treatment or not. 

If you consult with a doctor before taking these steps, they might be able to recommend an acupuncturist or tell you how successful acupuncture treatments would be for your condition. 

How Much Does Acupuncture Cost?

Acupuncture isn’t covered by all health insurance plans, but it is covered by some. If acupuncture is covered by your insurance plan, then your insurance company will be billed, but you will be responsible for any co-payments that need to be made. However, if your insurance plan doesn’t cover acupuncture, you still might be able to get service for a cash fee. Depending on the discount you receive depends on how much you’ll pay for each treatment. 

So make sure to ask how much treatment will be before insurance, then contact your insurance company, and see if they cover acupuncture as part of your plan. From there, you can see if additional cash assistance is needed. Once you know the cost, you can decide whether you want to proceed with treatment or not. 

Acupuncture can be beneficial to the right people, so research the subject as thoroughly as possible before deciding to try this treatment option. Consult with your doctor and an acupuncturist before deciding to pursue it. The effects of acupuncture can be beneficial for pain management and overall health care. So if it works for you, then you will receive great benefits from it.

If you are a federal worker in need of acupuncture to help treat your work related injury, then contact FedHelp at (305) 640-5326. Their qualified team is ready and able to help you with all your needs!