Acupuncture is a tradition derived from practices established China, Japan, Korea and other countries. The technique involves the usage of fine needles that are inserted at various points in the body. According to Medline Plus, acupuncture can relieve nausea and vomiting following surgery and chemotherapy and may be effective in some kinds of pain. It is often used in the treatment of fibromyalgia, menstrual cramps, migraines and osteoarthritis. The philosophy of acupuncture involves the understanding of the principle of "qi," or flow, in traditional Chinese medicine.
Qi, Life-force
Qi, pronounced as "chi," represents the flow of energy. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi can mean any things, but it broadly refers to the flow of energy in and out of all things. Human beings are seen as a part of their environment where they act as a conduit for energy from the outside world. Qi is envisioned to flow through conduits, or meridians; acupuncturists identify 12 such meridians corresponding to the organ systems of the body.
As Yin Lo, Ph.D., writes in "Acupuncture Today," "When qi does not flow, pain occurs. When qi flows, pain disappears. Pain is treated to enable the flow of qi." A disruption in the balance of energy, or qi, along these meridians is thought to be the cause of pain. Acupuncture is a technique that serves to open up blocked meridians and restore the flow of energy through the body.
Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang are principles that stand for opposing forces in Chinese philosophy. The opposing forces are in a perpetual state of balance. According to the Acupuncture.com website, "The entire universe may be viewed as the interplay and alternation of yin and yang." Every organ system of the 12 meridians has opposing, balanced forces. When this balance of forces becomes disrupted, the flow of energy, or qi, is lost, and pain results.
Western Medicine
Western perceptions of acupuncture analyze the effectiveness of acupuncture on stimulating nerve groups and other organs. According to this perception, acupuncture practitioners may stimulate nerves, muscles or blood vessels, leading to physiological changes that can improve an individual's pain.
Practice of Acupuncture
Acupuncturists use a number of needles to stimulate the skin at certain sites. The main technique of acupuncture is in determining the critical site on the body for stimulation. Practitioners insert very fine needles, which come in a variety of sizes. They needles are usually too fine to cause any pain. They may move the needle slightly after pricking the skin and then subsequently remove it. By inserting the needles at specific sites, the meridians become unblocked, resulting in the flow of qi.
References
- "Acupuncture Today'; What Is Qi? Can We See Qi?; Yin Lo, Ph.D.; September 2004
- Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and Qi -- How It Works
- Acupuncture.com: Yin and Yang : A Basic Introduction; Marc Ryan
- Acupuncture.com: The Twelve Primary Qi Channels; Jwing-Ming Yang
- MedlinePlus: Acupuncture
- MayoClinic.com: Acupuncture
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