Acupuncture Basics
Acupuncture is a form of complementary medicine used to treat a variety of disorders and symptoms. Much of the theory that guides modern practice was recorded around 2,000 years ago in China, but the practice of acupuncture is far older.1 This ancient practice catching the eye of western science because it is safe and effective in the treatment of many health conditions.
To understand acupuncture, it’s important to understand the basics of Chinese medical theory. Chinese medicine understands there to be acupuncture channels that run along the surface of the body and internally to our organs, much like the earth’s lines of latitude and longitude. Along these channels, runs a type of biological energy, which the Chinese call ‘Qi’. When we are healthy, this biological energy moves freely like a flowing river. Disease occurs when this biological energy can no longer move easily along the channels. Acupuncture is just one aspect of Chinese medicine that can remove these blockages in the body and restore a healthy circulation.
The practice of acupuncture typically involves inserting stainless steel needles into the skin and manipulating them at specific locations known as acupoints. These acupoints are found all over the body and they lie along the acupuncture channels. Carefully chosen point combinations allow the acupuncturist to tailor treatments to the individual needs of the patient.
Is Acupuncture safe?
Acupuncture is considered very safe, and has been shown to be much safer than current standard of care procedures used in western medicine, such as pain medications, steroid injections and surgery. A 2015 case report found the most common adverse events of acupuncture are temporary, such as pain, nausea, tiredness, bleeding and fainting.5 Of the more serious side effects of acupuncture, pneumothorax is the most common, and is still very rare, with a prevalence of 0.8-2 in 100,000 patients.5
What does acupuncture feel like?
There is a common misconception that acupuncture is painful. Most of the time, it doesn’t hurt. Sometimes the needle might be placed without the recipient feeling anything at all. The acupuncturist usually manipulates the needle just enough to engage the patient’s ‘Qi’ or biological energy. Patients will usually feel the points activate or ‘light up’, and this is the therapeutic intent of the practitioner. The quality of this activation can be heavy, achy, tingly or warm. These sensations are a good sign. It should never be sharp, though, so let your practitioner know if it is.
1. https://www.sandiegowell.com/acupuncture/how-old-is-old-in-the-time-of-acupuncture/
3. https://www.livescience.com/29494-acupuncture.html
4. https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/who-official-position/
5. Huisma F, Konrad G, Thomas S. Pneumothorax after acupuncture. Canadian Family Physician. 61, 1071-1073. 2015.
Written By Jennifer Peterson, MSOM, LAc
