The Basics of Acupuncture

As you might expect the Chinese are responsible for first developing acupuncture as a method for treating pain or sickness in humans.  This type of treatment originated in the cold north-west parts of China where herbs and other medical remedies would not grow due to the colder climate. Acupuncture ultimately spread from there to many other parts of the world by way of travelling physicians, scholars and other such pilgrims.

As Chinese legend has it, thousands of years ago (we’re talking BC here) a Chinese soldier developed an inflexible and painful shoulder, what we might now call a stiff shoulder. He allegedly went to his doctor who despite his best efforts was unable help him. So the soldier slowly but surely accepted the idea of having to live with the pain. Then one fine day, during a battle no less, an exceptional event occurred. Almost immediately following a  wound he received from an enemy arrow in he leg, his shoulder which he had been unable to effectively move without considerable painful for many years, suddenly could be moved freely again and without pain.  His doctor later duplicated the event (the arrow in the leg) upon other patients with the same shoulder problem, and was very pleased, indeed, by the successful results.

As years passed other “tools” were found to stimulate acupuncture points, such as needles instead of arrows. This initial accident was refined into the art of what is now known as acupuncture. Today “laser puncture” can painlessly achieves the same effect as the arrow originally achieved.

It is generally believed that one of the first Western countries to develop an interest in acupuncture was France. Acupuncture has been practiced sporadically in France in fact over the last 200 years and is currently a well established method for medical treatment.

Although it was practiced, this medical procedure did not become fashionable in the West until the second half of the 2O^th century. Acupuncture received a lot of attention after President Nixon went to China in 1971.  The journalists who accompanied him were impressed with the process; as a result they publicized the practice and effectiveness of acupuncture in various American magazines.

In case you’re curious about what U S medical doctors think about the process, at least in regard to pain relief, you may be interested in poll results  of American doctors in 2005; it showed that 59% of those surveyed believed that acupuncture is at least somewhat effective for the treatment of pain.   In 1996, the United States Food and Drug Administration took a major leap regarding acupuncture (at least in there view), they changed the status of needles that are used from Class III to Class II medical devices, which means that the needles that’s used are regarded as safe and effective when used properly by a licensed practitioner.

People who have had acupuncture performed generally describe it as practically painless or as some have said, less painful than plucking out a hair.  The feelings that follow the procedure have been described as ranging from: nothing at all, mild tingling, slight numbness, to electrical pulsations in areas distant from the site of insertion of the acupuncture device. Such sensations typically subside after the needles are removed. The needles used for acupuncture are much smaller that the standard hypodermic needle we’ve all seen when receiving a shot, they do not draw blood and are solid, instead of hollow like the hypodermic needle.  

Have you considered making a career of acupuncture treatment? There are at least 42 accredited schools in the United States, including schools in Arizona, Kentucky, and Maine; so a three or four year stay in China for such training is no longer necessary.  The cost of becoming an acupuncturist varies depending on the program you choose.  It may range from as little as $6,000 per year to as much as $50,000 or more for a full 3 or 4 year program.  You should be aware that at least a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college is required prior to being accepted.

Acupuncture is currently gaining popularity and is being practiced all over the world.  The introduction of modern scientific instruments such as lasers has led to the adaptation of modem technologies with ancient Chinese methods of healing and has given us a medical science that is quite effective and up to date.

Sources …                                                    http://www.naturalhealers.com/qa/acupuncturist.html                                                                 http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/acupuncture-hurt.html                    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture                                                  http://www.drmanik.com/chap1.htm