| What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy that has been used for
centuries. It is based on the theory that there is energy, called chi or
qi, flowing through your body. Chi is thought to flow along "energy
pathways" called meridians. Theoretically, a blocking or imbalance of
the flow of chi at any point on a pathway may result in illness.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe acupuncture unblocks
and balances the flow of chi to restore health.
Traditional Chinese acupuncture usually is done by inserting very thin
needles into the skin at certain points on the body to stimulate energy
flow along the body's meridians. Other types of acupuncture may use heat,
pressure, or mild electrical current to stimulate energy flow along these
meridians.
What is acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture is used to relieve pain and treat certain health
conditions. It may be used alone or as part of a treatment program.
Promising results have been found for the use of acupuncture in treating
nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy and postsurgery pain.
Acupuncture may be useful for other conditions such as stroke
rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia,
myofascial pain, ostgeoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome,
and asthma. |
