Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago and is one of the oldest healing practices in the world. It aims to restore and maintain health through stimulation of specific points on the body. The National Center for Biotechnology Information, a division of the National Library of Medicine, did a study that suggested that acupuncture may be effective in the short term for tendonitis pain. Before starting any alternative treatment, consult with your doctor.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture describes a family of procedures that involves stimulating various anatomical points on the body using a variety of techniques. The most popular technique used involves penetrating the skin with very thin, solid, metallic needles that are placed by hand. In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used to regulate the flow of "qi," or vital energy, through the body along pathways known as meridians, states the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Diseases and Conditions
People suffering with certain diseases and conditions may find symptomatic relief from acupuncture. Acupuncture may be helpful for fibromyalgia, headaches, labor pain, menstrual cramps, migraines, low back pain, tennis elbow, osteoarthritis, postoperative dental pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Side Effects and Risks
As with everything, acupuncture has its side effects and risks. The U.D. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles for use only by licensed practitioners, stating that the needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. These needles need to be sterile, nontoxic and labeled for single use only by a qualified practitioner. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that although few complications have been reported to the FDA, some complications have resulted from the use of needles that have not been properly sterilized or by improper delivery of treatment. Licensed practitioners should always use a new set of needles for each patient, taking them from sealed packages and swabbing the treatment site with alcohol or other disinfectant before insertion. When acupuncture is not delivered properly, it can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and punctured organs. Soreness, bleeding and bruising near the needle site may occur. Internal organ injuries, particularly to the lungs, can happen if the needles are pushed in too deeply, and infectious diseases such as hepatitis, can occur from reused needles.
Warning
Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture treatments. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, there are certain medical conditions that may increase your risk of complications. If you have a bleeding disorder or if you take a blood thinner, such as warfarin, the chance for bleeding and bruising may increase. If you have a pacemaker, be aware that some types of acupuncture treatments involve applying a mild electrical impulse to the needles, which can interfere with the pacemaker's operation. If you are pregnant, some types of acupuncture have been known to stimulate labor, which could result in a premature delivery.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint and can occur in any of the body's tendons but is most common around the shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles. Some common names for various tendonitis problems include tennis elbow, golfers elbow, pitchers shoulder, swimmers shoulder and jumpers knee. Most people develop tendonitis because of a job or hobby that involves repetitive motion that aggravates the tendons needed to perform that task. It can be caused by jobs that involve awkward positions, frequent overhead reaching, vibrations and forceful exertion. It can also be found in people who participate in sports such as baseball, basketball, golf, swimming, tennis, running and bowling, according to the Mayo Clinic.
