Acupuncture Therapy : Acupuncture Back Pain Demo

Ever wonder what it's like to be treated at an acupuncture facility? Learn more about acupuncture and back pain from our medical expert in this free video. Expert: ROBERT LINDE Contact: www.acuherbals.com Bio: Robert Linde has been practicing tai chi for 13 years. As an acupuncturist and registered herbalist, he's studied herbs since 1975 and practiced traditional Chinese medicine for over 6 years. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

Funny Acupuncture Commercial

Teochew is spoken in this.

Introduction to Acupuncture - CMS

This is an excerpt of our monthly show we produce for the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services. From our "Mind/Body Medicine Show", this segment gives an overview and demostration of acupuncture. (www.mazurmediacom.com)

Balance of needles and cigars

Somehow I always knew my final executive search me lying on a stretcher in Spa Hampton Sage Wainscott, N.Y., naked, except for a towel around my waist, pierced from head to toe by two dozen to which thin filiform Chinese Acupuncture needles, located face like a porcupine dead on the road under the Moon of winter.

Go to the next paragraph is Gordon M. Grant for The New York TimesMikal Gohring, a veteran acupuncturist, Harry Hurt III.

So I never imagined all them would be at a point called "Stomach 36."

Mikal Gohring, 59, a veteran acupuncturist with sunglasses wire fencing and a horsetail protruding from a shaved head, relied on the massage table, brandishing a needle in my left shin.

"Breathe and then breathe out," he called in a soothing whisper.

I did as follows, with the hope of happiness. Mikal had told me that the prescribed respiratory routine distract my mind from the imminent puncture and better align my yin my yang with. But when he inadvertently that needle 25 in my shin, my whole body seemed to go in spasm.

"Ouch!" He shouted. "Actually hurts!"

Mikal replied that "it is stomach 36". "It is one of the famous points of acupuncture which influences its internal organs functions."

She shuddered, question my sanity and my reasons for seeking acupuncture treatment. My apparent motivation was to quit smoking cigarettes. Together with health considerations obviously, there were new financial emergency. The price for my small cigarette brand was raised to $15 per package. I was going for at least five packages a week. I simply could not afford much longer.

"Acupuncture do you quit smoking," he recalled Mikal. "The only way to stop is to just stop." But there is one aspect of your being that you will get your time may be limited, and they rebel. "Acupuncture will help cope with what is coming."

Moments later, Mikal activated a DVD of Gregorian chants, dims the lights and left me alone to allow treatment to take effect.

The rebel side of my being, so far known me as my evil twin, Larry, immediately raised his head stitched. My first search Executive, back in May 2005, reported about a Renaissance in smoking cigarette of then booming economy-driven. Sensing a scholarship with the likes of Sigmund Freud, Arnold Schwarzenegger and James e. Cayne, then, the Chairman of Bear Stearns, had proposed four rules of etiquette of cigarettes intended to counter the police antismoking.

Now we had come full circle, and Larry was completely depressed. Arnold was transformed from a Republican Governor of California to a Democrat than de facto. Jimmy Cayne had suffered an ignominious fall. There there is no such thing as Bear Stearns already, there is no such thing as a Wall Street investment bank, that is. Once they threw on the nature of tobacco packages wrapped stimulus that favored Dr. Freud, we now had to settle for a series of rescue plans ill-conceived Washington.

If Larry brushed off the idea of quitting cigarettes, he believed that on the acupuncture was just crazy. I begged differ. According to a survey of 2002 by the national institutes of health, more than eight million people in the United States have tried acupuncture. It is legal in 40 States, and there are more than 11,000 acupuncturists with a license at the national level, as well as another of 3,000 physicians who practice the art.

Classified as part of traditional Chinese medicine dating back over 3,000 years, acupuncture is based on the principle of achieving health to balance the yin and the yang, or opposing forces. Two key concepts are the qi (pronounced "chee"), often described as the flow of blood, has been described as a liquid and a metaphorical flow and "vital energy". The aim is to regular qi and blood to relieve blockages, excess drainage and filling of scarcity.

This accused spiritually plumbing operation is based on the insertion of needles in the skin of the patient over 14 tracks, known as "meridians" that in all the body. The meridians supposedly correspond to internal organs specified as the lung, heart, the pericardium, the spleen, liver and kidney. But as I discovered in my shins and "36 stomach", the points of insertion and the relevant bodies do not necessarily have the same physical location.

While many Western leaders medical authorities remain sceptical about acupuncture, tens of patients have extolled its apparent efficacy in the treatment of back pain, headaches, sciatica, dysentery, nausea and vomiting and certain forms of addiction. One of the happy souls referred me to Mikal Gohring, insisting that he will surely help me stop smoking cigarettes.

Acupuncturist Lisa Ripi is 40 players N.F.L. in 5 cities

RIPI poked and Richardson prodded a Tuesday recent, using blue and pink, needle up its body resembles a roadmap with 120 destinations. "sportscenter" always mood music. Later, Richardson said the pain had disappeared.

"Always say me that I am its secret," said Ripi. "I feel like the little mouse who takes the spines on their feet".

Professional footballers are involved in a violent game, and as the season progresses spend more time in training in the fields of practice rooms. Visit chiropractors and massage therapists, yoga practice, electronic stimulation and nap in hyperbaric chambers.

Yet relatively few will receive acupuncture, which contributes to the faces of customers of Ripi. They remain fiercely territorial. They fight over Friday because it is closest to their games. They accuse others of hogging or trying to steal him.

All swear by technique of Ripi, which he described as closer to acupuncture Japanese than with traditional methods of Chinese. It focuses less on established points and more in areas of pain, needles to increase blood flow, relax the muscles tight in the weight room.

Players say that its sessions are the most important treatment. They are loose, looser. Richardson finds uncomfortable acupuncture, but said he made an immediate difference of 10 percent. Sculpted bodies tuned as races, 10 percent is a significant improvement.

Pittsburgh linebacker James Farrior said: "I'm not the same if I don't." It is how to get the game plan. "You can not go for the week without one or another".

RIPI, 46, travels at least 20 days per month during the season, treatment of 40 players in five teams (Ripi Division: jets, Giants, Steelers, Bengals, and dolphins). She flies to Miami on Sunday, Pittsburgh Monday, New York, on Tuesday, Cincinnati on Wednesday, to Pittsburgh on Thursday and return to New York on Friday. 96 Hours a week and bread she works primarily in aircraft. By Friday, including his Assistant sends "hate texts," Ripi, said.

In 13 years of working with N.F.L. players, Ripi, said proudly, that she never missed an appointment. She lost dozens of vacation, I had three marriages end in divorce, made clear their top priority.

Think on the impact that it has every Sunday, said Richardson. "And it is curious, because she is not really a football fan, or really recognized."But we know its importance.

Raised in a traditional Italian family in Long Island, Ripi lived in a healthy home, his father, John directive: there is no bread, no soda and a large number of vitamins.

RIPI took a winding road in Acupuncture: art school, training of aerobics, massage therapy and body building, in which described several national competitions. Despite 5 feet 3 inches in a foot, she squatted and 250 pounds of lift dead.

In 1996, a friend suggested that acupuncture may relieve Ripi shoulder pain, and after two sessions faded. So Ripi was at the school of acupuncture and Chinese Pharmacology and finished the program for five years in four years.

Shortly after, during his visit to another friend in Costa Rica, Ripi met actor Woody Harrelson, requested treatment "posthaste", said. She slid a business card in the baggage of Harrelson, which led to two years of traveling with and treatment he and other famous clients such as singer Mariah Carey.

Back in New York in March 1998, Ripi referred to Jumbo Elliott, offensive tackle, injured for the Jets. She knew nothing about soccer and alleged Elliott was a body builder until he saw his memories of Jets. He later volunteered to take it to training camp and she was introduced to his teammates.

He met his group of customers that summer in Hempstead, New York and as players changed teams: Farrior to Pittsburgh and Chad Pennington to Miami, travel and his business expanded.

Players require individualized treatment. Steelers linebacker James Harrison has more than 300 needles and Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora pleads for less than 40. Cornerback Darrelle magazine jets hates needles and freeze the table as if under attack.

RIPI considers the players as clients brothers. She saw the world with linebacker Dhani Jones Cincinnati for his travel channel show. It stores the tables in the homes of players; He went to training camps, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl; It works every Christmas and Thanksgiving. Ripi services aren't cheap. Charged $1,200 or $220 for treatment every day and costs.

She spends approximately 12 hours each Thursday trying to at least 10 players in the House of Farrior, where the Steelers have "spa night his men" with acupuncture. RIPI cooks dinner for them, and they are playing cards while waiting for the laps. She begins with nose tackle Casey Hampton at 3: 30 p.m. and ends with Harrison about 12 hours later.

Keep chemicals bring in needles

Pianist JANE BECKER, a composer and soloist, celebrated his birthday number 50 in the dermatologist, pay $1,500 for Restylane and Botox shots. But three months later, the effects of smoothing wrinkles wore. Thus, returned to a less artificial tone of youth: facial acupuncture.

Go to the next paragraph Natasha Calzatti for The New York TimesSTICKER SHOCK cosmetic acupuncture has drawn the attention of an increasing number of women who want to delay the signs of aging, but do not want to undergo surgery or inject chemicals. Fred r. Conrad/the New York Times

Like many women who have tried acupuncture of beauty, Ms. Becker hopes to have needles strategically inserted into his face would be cheaper and the latter more longer than injections of their birthday.

The Mrs. Becker, now 53, started with 10 sessions in five weeks ($1,000) and past monthly maintenance from ($ 105 a session).

Acupuncture does not end up being great part of a negotiation, but is worth in another way, he said.

"I can really see a difference in my face," said Ms. Becker, who sees Steven Sonmore, an acupuncturist licensed in Minneapolis. "It seems younger, smoother, brighter and more uplifted".

Early as Mrs. Becker spread in the first place of the virtues of a face-lift called acupuncture. Then, before the awards Oscar 2005, a crew of facial acupuncturists descended at Soho House, a local celebrity improvised in Los Angeles, and A-listers jumped the opportunity to transform your skin from the inside.

Now, thanks to the more robust marketing cosmetic acupuncture struck over crumpled public. Its holistic approach urges in particular to women who want to delay the signs of aging, but do not want to undergo surgery or inject chemicals.

If he is called facial rejuvenation, face-lift of acupuncture or acupuncture cosmetics, the goal is to address wrinkles, muscle tension that may be causing unsightly lines as well as the systematic ongoing issues between you and shiny skin. As with needle traditional put needles in acupuncture points stimulates the natural energy of the body, he had called qi, but with additional benefits.

If it works the cosmetic acupuncture has yet to be tested. Randomized, controlled studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective adjunctive treatment for hypertension, chronic pain, headaches and back pain. But there is no research scientist showing that acupuncture reduces wrinkles.

Even so, an industry devoted to the drilling of a young skin has grown in recent years.

"There is an increase in the interest of the country," said Martha Lucas, an acupuncturist licensed which helped create the cosmetic acupuncture Mei Zen system in 2003. It teaches a dozen seminars annually to more than 30 budding facialists rooms. "L.A. used to be the largest market.""But now we have people from the Midwest vocation."

Practitioners of this style of cosmetic acupuncture called Mei Zen ("beautiful person" in Chinese) offer their services in 16 States.

Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, an acupuncturist licensed who led the 2005 Academy Awards event, has trained more than 2,000 teachers in 40 States in his technique: constitutional facial acupuncture. This year, she has trained nearly 1,200 professionals, up from 100 in 2001, said. "For centuries, the ancient Chinese have promoted health and beauty," said Ms. Wakefield, "but we have taken it to another level".

It is partly led to marketing: monthly seminars by Mrs Lucas include pointers on taking pictures of before and after effective and build fruitful relationships with dermatologists. Even happens to t-shirts that proclaimed "Cosmetic acupuncture works."A half-dozen women interviewed for this article, said rings have been decreasing, will disappear under-eye bags and lines decrease or soften.

Dr. Richard g. Glogau, a clinical professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, said that these changes were quite possible. "It is clear that people wear much muscle tension in the face, which gives them frowns and wrinkles," he said. "My take on this is that you there is muscle relaxation.

But Dr. Glogau does not believe that facial acupuncture can increase collagen, another claim of some professionals.

An economy in need of medicine holistic

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS: The American economy is what doctors call an acute episode.

Employment not throb. The movement of capital is still weak. The industry is breathing, but barely. And if we can reach a year nothing into this mess, is just what we can do when the patient comes this evil.

Why, the talk is now so often of prevention. Prevent the next crisis through the health insurance and a green energy sector, said the American President. Avoid reducing public spending and encourage personal responsibility, American conservatives retort.

But the truth is that the politicians and not only in the United States, are rarely willing to invest in a problem that has not happened. Consensus and action are easier to come a 9/11 or Lehman Brothers than before. We are not interested in problems in the embryonic, soluble phase; and that we are interested often are too big to solve.

That is where acupuncture.

Western medical practices have attracted similar criticism in recent years, an emphasis on involved in the disease rather than prevention in advance and promote day-to-day wellness. But in health, as opposed to politics, has emerged an alternative approach called welfare, focused on investment in health, before the break.

How can welfare tell us about our current bad economic? Measure that goes from fringe to mainstream with wellness programs in the now in Congressional health reform proposals, manifestos of welfare in the lists of best-sellers and a welfare programme of the army of United States calling soldiers introspect and meditate - asked experts about fundamental principles approach and how it could be applied to the political class.

So nip in the bud. Welfare advocates cultivating health a little every day, not only the restoration during disasters. Increasingly, we accept that it is better to control the blood sugar in diabetic with regular clinic that visits to amputate limbs. We accept that companies can avoid costly treatments to encourage workers to quit smoking. But in our political life, we prefer to wait until things get to the emergency room.

We only regulate financial markets for years, thinking oppressive Regulation, until we are forced to nationalize private firms. Avoid costly investments and controversial new methods in public education, and then pay the price in less social mobility and the large prison populations. Neglecting the construction of roads and bridges and highways of the Internet, fearing the cost and then take advantage of the increased costs of entire regions fall outside the economic.

"With many social problems, it is not sure how to prevent it, and therefore, not to spend money on it, because we always have many other priorities", said David Cutler, a Harvard economist who has advised Clinton and white Obama houses on health care.

Go to the roots. Western medicine tends to combat the symptoms, if suppress coughs or flooding the brains of depressed with serotonin. Welfare is interested in underlying causes. He is inclined to see an infertile woman, for example, as a woman longer rather than a woman with ovarian missing and it may suggest that she eats and they work in a different way rather than taking pills for manipulation of ovary.

Public policy, a bias of symptom rules. A housing crisis? Enacting a tax credit! Bank failures? Rescue them!

There is nothing wrong with these measures, unless that is you go outside, as most economists will tell you.

Even in the midst of all this action, we have virtually ignored tissue complex problems under the themes: small savings, an addiction to debt, a political system congenitally spender, an almost pathological desire for things. And with our current priests, should not be surprised we see new signs of old ills that appear: insurance again packaged as derivatives, bonds again rise on Wall Street.

"We treat the symptoms, and not look at the causes of the symptoms," Deepak Chopra, the famous alternative medicine and wellness guru, said when asked to extend the metaphor of welfare to the economy. "We're completely at this time looking for it in a reductionist manner." The reductionist way is a bailout. "And in some way to solve the problem, as long as the problem occurred because we were thinking of reductive."

Look inside. Welfare sees the causes of and remedies for ailments such as lie within us. Prevent infection through the creation of immunity. Defeat the disease by eating foods that help the body to heal.

With the economy looking everywhere but inside. It is the fault of greedy Wall Street bankers. It is the fault of Washington. Bush's mistakes. Error Obama. Greenspan faults. Someone fix it!

But and us? Why not we recognize was that he bought all these unaffordable houses, those who heard that gravity zero "financial advice," which bought and bought and never kept a rainy day Fund? And do, to solve the problem, we expect the State to create dynamism substitute rather than renew the decentralized dynamic culture that was so vital to start with the economy of United States?

"Conventional medicine is very unbalanced in with its emphasis on external interventions and do not want to move that internal capacity to maintain the healing," said Andrew Weil, founder of the Arizona Center for integrative medicine and author of several books on welfare. In the same way with the economy, said: "instead of simply identifying external threats and the development of weapons and strategies against them, we should instead identify and strengthen immunity and resistance."

A welfare policy that transcend party. It would emphasize the initial investments to achieve the fiscal solvency of long-term insist the Republicans than Democrats. It could meet the liberal belief in a positive role for the Government in maintaining well-being, but it could honour the conviction conservative that the head of government role is to help to heal the social organism. With the left, could recognize the complex network of institutional and cultural influences that govern the well-being of society, while emphasizing with the law, the limits of what can make any external healer.

That welfare in these difficult times. After all, the most urgent problems, may be that we have not yet.

AS WELL; Study acupuncture, click a needle at a time

For at least 2,000 years, Chinese healers have used acupuncture to treat pain and other ailments. Now Western doctors want proof that it works.

There is little dispute that people feel better after receiving treatment, in which thin needles are deeply inserted in the skin at specific points of the body. But they benefit from own acupuncture, or simply get a placebo effect?

The debate was fueled last week by a study in the journal of arthritis care research. Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston found that 455 patients with arthritis of the painful knee, acupuncture not delivered any relief than sham treatment.

Actually, patients got both treatments significant pain relief - an average reduction of a point on a scale of 1 to 7. And critics argue that the study was poorly designed.

On the one hand drawn patients in treatment of both groups received with needles and electrical stimulation; the main difference is that in the Sham group, needles not inserted as deeply and stimulation was much shorter in duration.

However, in the real world, a trained acupuncturist could customize treatment for the patient's specific symptoms. But in this study, the patients of the "real" acupuncture group needles received all inserted in the same way.

In other words, rather than prove that acupuncture does not work, the study may suggest that it works even when given bad. But the real lesson, say supporters of acupuncture, is how difficult it can be applied West research standards to an ancient healing art.

"People argue that there really is no acupuncture inactive points - almost where you put a needle into the body is an active point", said Dr. Alex Moroz, a trained acupuncturist who directs the musculoskeletal rehabilitation program at New York University. "There is a body of literature that argues that the approach to the study of acupuncture does not lend itself to Western reductionist scientific method".

But the author of the main study, Dr. Maria e. Suarez-Almazor, notes that the sham treatment was developed with the help of trained acupuncturists. In a study of the drug, an equal treatment and placebo groups would the medication does not work, says.

"We have really worked with acupuncturists who are trained in traditional Chinese style and asked that they have a farce that would be credible," said Dr. Suarez-Almazor. "Do not plan a study seeking to show that acupuncture did not work. The results came out with no difference between groups. "

Research at MD Anderson and other recent studies of acupuncture have fueled speculation that the prick of a needle of acupuncture real or a false version, can influence the way the body processes and transmits signals of pain. A 2007 study of 1,200 patients back pain, funded by the insurance companies in Germany, showed that about half of the patients in both real and sham acupuncture Group had less pain after the treatment, compared with only 27 percent of those receiving physical therapy or other traditional aftercare.

When the German researchers tracked how much pain medication of patients who use, detected a noticeable difference between the real acupuncture and the sham treatment. Only 15 percent of patients in the acupuncture group requires drugs extra pain, compared with 34 percent in the Group of farce. The group receiving conventional therapy of back was even worse than those who received Sham Acupuncture: 59 percent of patients need pain extra pills.

The researchers who published their findings in Archives of Internal Medicine, speculate that insert needle in or around an area of pain may have caused a "super placebo" effect, playing a series of reactions that changed the way in which the experienced body pain.

Another study, funded by the national institutes of health and published in 2004, found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function in the patients of arthritis of knee compared to sham knee care treatment or routine.

Acupuncture can help, but will have to pay

The Kumar MS, then 29, was to see a gynecologist obstetrician for help.

"The doctor said that there was no could do nothing for me because it was less than 35 years and had been trying to conceive for less than a year, although it is clear that something wasn't quite right," explained Ms. Kumar. "" She said, "come back next year." ”

Ms. Kumar, who has a master's degree in public health and the life in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, decided to try an alternative. She went to see an acupuncturist who said: "I help;" "give me 12 weeks."

Because their insurer, as the majority, did not include acupuncture, Ms. Kumar had to pay for weekly treatments of $70, which you trust that your cycle in a more normal schedule. After the first few treatments seem to be working. Two months later, Ms. Kumar was pregnant. There is no way to know with certainty whether acupuncture or advice was to keep on trying the gynecologist Ms. Kumar who helped conceive.

But a growing number of people is using acupuncture to help with conditions such as infertility, chronic pain, symptoms of depression and menopause. And are directed to but economically remains a large outlay form of health care.

In a 2007 study, 3.1 million adults reported using acupuncture in the previous 12 months, from 2.1 million in a survey of 2002, according to the Government National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a unit of the national institutes of health.

Website of the Centre is largely neutral on the question of the efficacy of acupuncture, and urged people to go to a doctor, not an acupuncturist: have a medical condition. Acupuncture can have a powerful effect on the system, but serious ailments usually require a dose of Western medicine, as a course of antibiotics, surgery receta-fuerza killer or even pain.

Even so, there are a handful of highly respected studies indicating that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for certain conditions such as headaches, chronic arthritis, depression in pregnancy and back pain.

Western doctors are beginning to embrace, sometimes send their patients to acupuncturists for specific conditions. And the federal food and Drug Administration takes at least seriously enough to regulate the needle of acupuncture for use by licensed practitioners.

But insurers have been reluctant to cover acupuncture. And even in the relatively few cases where the insurers, could pay for only a few visits or a specific condition.

Ms. Kumar was able to obtain a financial respite with money from their work flexible spending account. "It's expensive," said, "but not as expensive as infertility treatment would have been".

When he was ready to have a second child, was his acupuncturist, Claire McManus, again she became pregnant in months.

Proponents say the acupuncture, as well as helping to treat existing conditions, also can help prevent problems in the first place. Some devotees of acupuncture even say they believe treatments keep them healthy and out of the doctor's Office, potentially saves them money.

"We are seeing a small but growing number of customers come to our clinic for the implementation to wellness," says Angela Grasso, director of clinical services at the Faculty of medicine East Pacific in Manhattan, it is accredited by the Commission on accreditation of career schools and colleges and trains students to become licensed acupuncturists.

To receive a license to practice acupuncture in the State of New York, one should completed 4,050 hours of course work, made of 250 patients treated and 650 hours of clinical training. Once students have completed the requirements, you must pass a test of national certification in acupuncture.

Marcus Berardino, 41, a therapist and instructor of yoga in Brooklyn, Jura by the acupuncture treatments receiving regularly. "Combined with other natural remedies such as biking, healthy food and a bit of daily meditation", said, "keeps me quite balanced and healthy."

Some hospitals are beginning to offer acupuncture for patients hospitalized for pain and anxiety.

"When patients received acupuncture before or after surgery, his anxiety is reduced, and reduces the pain," said Arya Nielsen, director of the fellowship programme of acupuncture in the Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan. "They needed less pain medication and have fewer side-effects of the medicine."

Beth Israel patients receive their free acupuncture treatments through the scholarship programme of postgraduate directed by Dr. Nielsen, who has doctorate on philosophy of medicine.

Old dog, new trick: acupuncture

When my dog Otto was a puppy behaved like an idiot, even for a Labrador retriever.

We have not invited to the Hamptons from the moment that he stole a cheeseburger from the hand of a child. Then he jumped into the pool, climbed to and shook himself of the guests. It was probably forgivable. What came next: vomiting with joy water, meat from grass and land at the foot of the host: no.

I would like to say that this behavior was atypical. But Otto was a spirited dog. He once shot an elderly neighbor then muzzle his crotch with too much enthusiasm.

How miss those days.

Otto is now a 9 slow: x-ray shows that he is arthritic, with swollen elbows. Her orthopedist said recently that he had a bulging disc. Despite all known to the modern veterinary science - treatment tablets Glucosamine to prednisone to monthly injections, designed to protect the cartilage in their joints, the only thing that Otto produces these days is the dog food bowl our others.

Nobody is happy by Otto. A few weeks ago I saw this as my husband and I went for a walk without him.

Then, in the place of the route where Otto once happily rolled in the corpse of a dead mouse, suddenly hear a rhinoceros crashing through the bushes.

Emerged a retriever with loco, burr-covered eyes. It would have confused with dog the ghost of the youth of Otto not by the mouth of the white, old man.

The dog's owner appeared on the track a few seconds later.

"How many years does he?" asked my husband, absently collecting a burr behind the dog ear.

"Twelve", said the owner.

"Is in great shape," said my husband.

"Used to be as soon as he could walk," said the owner.

That helped alleviate the Dog Arthritis and joint pain? Acupuncture, said the owner.

We were skeptical. "Otto is remove the needle with his teeth", replied my husband.

"No, do not bother them," insisted the owner.

We saw your dog grab a branch from 10 feet on the side of the runway and wave it dangerously like a scimitar. As Otto used to.

"Now, any minute he put eye of someone with the sharp end," said wistfully.

The next morning, Google "Veterinary acupuncture". This is how I learned that this version of the ancient Chinese therapy calls for inserting needles into specific places in domestic animals is gaining steam, even outside of Northern California.

On Dogster.com, social network online pet Otto joined last fall, I found a discussion on "does dog Acupuncture: to do or not do?" A canine member named Bo had "asked last month about if try acupuncture." More than one dozen members of positive experiences described by "serious respiratory problems" and "sterilised incontinence", including the case of a dog artr?tica called Sabrina, "not I enjoy getting the needle, but she always feels much better later."

Does perhaps acupuncture worth to try it? Certainly do believe that a growing number of veterinarians.

"Should be considered under certain conditions, especially those that involve chronic pain," said Vikki Weber, executive director of the international veterinary acupuncture society, based in Colorado and began to sponsor training in 1974.

Group of Mrs Weber and the American Academy of veterinary acupuncture, a trade association, have Web sites (ivas.org and aava.org, respectively) with databases for searches which lists hundreds of veterinary acupuncturists trained around the world.

The American Veterinary Medical Association, an organization representing a national level, 76,000 veterinarians does not track how many of its members practice acupuncture and not recognizes acupuncture as a specialty.

"But we recognize the interest and the use of alternative modalities such as acupuncture," said Dr Craig Smith, a spokesman for the Association.

While there is no definitive studies show the efficacy of the treatment, said Dr. Smith recommended that owners of pets who are interested in the procedure for seeking the advice of its veterinary.

Apply for alternative therapies research

Reuters

Posted: January 13, 2005

ASHINGTON, Reuters January 12)-more research is needed to demonstrate that alternatives such as acupuncture and herbal therapies complements the work, and this can mean changing laws that protect the industry, an Expert Committee said Wednesday.

Almost one-third of Americans use such therapies, and it is increasingly important to normalize these treatments and show if and how they work, the Institute of medicine Committee, said.

He urged Congress and regulators to work with industry, researchers, consumers and advocates to find a way to try different criteria.

"The main message is that complementary and alternative therapy use is widespread and here to stay", Dr. David Eisenberg, an expert on complementary medical therapies and integrative in the Harvard Medical School, said in an interview. "The same rules of evidence of effectiveness and safety should apply irrespective of the origin of therapy".

The Institute of medicine, an independent panel that advises the Government on health, were asked to identify barriers to better research on complementary and alternative therapies.

The law on education and health, said supplements can be regulated as foods rather than drugs. This allows the decision makers will not be responsible for the safety and efficacy testing.

A doctor considers miracles in medicine

The famous writer doctor Sherwin B. Nuland, a clinical professor of surgery at Yale, author of nine previous books, the winner of the National Book Award - is a believer in miracles. Not the type of partition-of-la - Red Sea of miracles that suspend the laws of physics, but phenomena and events that cannot be explained by current scientific knowledge, and perhaps never will be.

In "the uncertain art: reflections on a life in medicine," a charming collection, companionable articles occasional nearly all which appeared in the magazine the American academic, Dr. Nuland feels free to pursue their interests when they take on the medical history, etymology, even art criticism. Writes about the joy of exercise, the pain of the 9/11, the satisfaction of the authorship, the pain of losing a cherished friend. But the most attractive items and stimulating topics that are mysterious, disturbing.

These pieces can enjoy the simple pleasure of science fiction for the inexplicable. Dr. Nuland, however, has one purpose in mind: undermine conceited certainties about modern science. To emphasize the extraordinary search challenge often to depend on their technology profession and restore the patient-doctor relationship, the susceptible human connection feely, in the Centre of the medical practice.

Doctors, insists, are more technicians. It is due, first of all, humanists, intuitionists, thankful of the individuality of each patient and special situation, a unique, unpredictable and uncertain art practitioners. True healers understand this. "To be comfortable with uncertainty," writes Dr. Nuland, "is one of the main objectives in the training of a doctor."

And so he leads readers on "amazing" realms where the science does not offer any explanation. He travels to China to determine first-hand whether acupuncture is an effective technique. After witnessing two operations and talk with the President of the University of Medicine of Shanghai, which he himself had undergone two operations of thyroid with acupuncture, Dr. Nuland comes away a believer - despite the fact that the procedure "still has not been explained in terms acceptable to the more orthodox Western scientists." using Orthodox Western research methods

Science as we know what has happened at least one part of the way in understanding Acupuncture: somehow the needles stimulate the brain to increase the production of endorphins analgesic. But it is not clear why this happens and Dr. Nuland is willing to take a leap into the unknown in search of an explanation: "perhaps philosophies may be needed beyond those who have had so much success since the scientific method became an important flow of Western thought".

He said virtually the same on the therapy of electroshock, undeniably effective in the fight against debilitating depression but also outside the boundaries of conventional science. Doctors use because it works. But they do not understand why it works. In an earlier book Dr. Nuland described his own experience with electroshock therapy during a prolonged battle with severe depression. "It's really a modern miracle," writes here.

The dark chapter of "The uncertain art" is "Mind, body and health" and refers to a "confusing nuisance," the placebo effect. From the time of Hippocrates and Galen, doctors have known cases in which people recovered from serious illness simply because they had the will to recover, often without reason rather than a desire to please their doctor. It is a more common phenomenon than one might imagine.

"Every doctor has anecdotes about this sort of thing," says Dr. Nuland. "I have a bagful." Writes on patients with terminal illnesses who survived "during a period beyond expert predictions," because they wanted to witness the college graduation of a child or loved one last time; and tells us that for years it has been monitoring the obituaries in the local newspaper: "almost always, the number of deaths has decreased drastically before Christmas, rising abruptly when the party is gone." In a striking example of the effect of placebo mind-over-matter, twits "establishing biomedical too rational" by jogging once again the word "miracle".

Other chapters of the book are more land. "Rob graves" is an irresistibly entertaining story of how doctors used to go about how obtain cadavers for their experiments. There are laws against desecrating bodies, so that the researchers had to rely on an underworld of unpleasant suppliers. Inevitably most business took themselves to increase the number of fresh corpses on their own, with the result that one of the most notorious of them contributed his name to an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary: "burke: kill (a person) to sell the body for dissection."

There is much to learn from these brief, scholarly pieces. Do we say "gesundheit" or "bless you" when someone sneezes? Because, traditionally, it was thought that expelled sneeze the soul from the body, requiring a prayer to retrieve it.

Some of the articles are less successful. Comments of Dr. Nuland 11 don't add really nothing the gazillions of words that have already been spent in the attacks. An essay on exercise is little more than an exercise in induction of blame finger pointing. But none of the chapters are much more than a few pages, and is no longer any extended argument to follow, a reader can skip, or put the book at any point and pick it up later.

It is ideal airport or bathroom reading. Dr. Nuland probably understand that it can be therefore, included a piece on evacuations and regular. What better place than the bathroom, after all, to know who was probably the Egyptians who invented enemas?

Many roads but one of the objectives

Suzanne DeChillo / The New York TimesMEI ZEN system Martha Lucas teaching a seminar on acupuncture in Manhattan.

As there are varieties of yoga, so do the facial acupuncture styles, each with different emphasis.

MEI ZEN system, developed by Martha Lucas and Denise Ellinger in 2003, uses technical superficial needling with needles of Korean hand and face. A treatment plan may also include herbs, qigong exercises and burning the herb Mugwort to stimulate the qi. Find a professional in www.cosmeticacupunctureseminars.com.

CONSTITUTIONAL FACIAL in 2000, Mary Elizabeth Wakefield created this style based on traditional Chinese medicine. His method of type spa uses some Japanese needles into the body. www.chiakra.com/referrals.htm.

REJUVENATING FACIAL Virginia Doran, Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, who has made facial acupuncture for 13 years. His approach uses many Japanese needles at once for best results, it said. www.luminousbeauty.com.

ACUPUNCTURE with MICROCURRENTS this style incorporates microcurrent stimulation in acupuncture points for supposedly rejuvenate muscles. Some practitioners even does not use needles, believing that the mild electric currents can have the same effect as needles; www.eastwestmed.com or www.peterhansonmd.com

A traditional therapy is modern uses

Photos of Mia Aigotti for The New York Timespressure points Laura Soncrant, in Chicago, it has seeds of ear prints to treat his insomnia.

Quit smoking cigarettes has always been agony by Michele Fenzl, a team of 55 years of Denver operator. Pregnancy had to stop for a while. But in 35 years of smoking a pack a day, nothing else gave him a break.

To seed by ear.

Last June, his acupuncturist, Karen Kurtak of the Medical Institute of border, began to place small black seed of a plant of Vaccaria to specific points in their ears, to suppress cravings between sessions twice a week with needles.

It is difficult to say what aspect of the multifaceted program helped Ms. Fenzl quit, but she attributes her success to the seeds in their ears that she calls "protectors of life".

Part long traditional medicine China, "auricular therapy", as it is called, involves stimulating key points of the outer ear (corresponding to functions and parts of the body) with traditional Acupuncture needles or seeds. The practice is now used again at the national level to deal with a number of ailments.

Seed by ear for a long time have used United States for the treatment of addiction. But today, with the growing demand for alternative therapies, there has been an increase in the practice of using the ear seeds (or metallurgical equivalents, acubeads and ear magnets) to health issues of anxiety to the pain to insomnia.

"Are used for people in situation of trauma, for example in the continuation of the 9/11, Katrina, wildfires in California,", said Cynthia Neipris, an acupuncturist in New York and the director of education of the community and outreach for Pacific College of Oriental medicine, that train students to use seed by ear. "And because the seeds are used at home, it is an additional plus because it involves the patient in their own healing process."

No one knows exactly how ear seeds work nor has been sufficient research to test what ailments that help to alleviate. But recommended them by acupuncturists with a license, as well as doctors from hospitals in international level.

Dr. p. Grace Harrell, an anesthesiologist and an acupuncturist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston who uses seeds and acubeads to help treat back pain, suggests that they can stimulate the activity in the brain.

But it is an assumption. "We don't know exactly what the seeds of the ear," he said. "What I do know is that more people use them." "I have patients in and asking for the seeds".

Acupuncturists in personnel in rehabilitation centres as a Centre for treatment of promises in Malibu, California, for a long time have recommended ear seeds to help alleviate "physiological symptoms, associated with addiction," says Donna Markus, the executive director. They have been helpful for anxiety and depression, he said.

Does the conspicuous seeds attention unwanted? "Never nobody has commented,", said Laura Soncrant, 32, who carries the seeds of his insomnia. He said that to put pressure on them during the whole day has improved his dream to the point that she can not live without them now. "Already took them between acupuncture sessions, and my sessions are once every two weeks, there are even those days when the seeds have fallen and want to go to the acupuncturist for them".

Regimes: Acupuncture offers relief of headache

For chronic headaches, the best treatment can be one of the oldest: acupuncture.

In 1998, the national institutes of health accepted acupuncture as an alternate useful treatment for headaches, but cautioned that there was no sufficient clinical trials to draw firm conclusions about its effectiveness. Now a systematic review of studies by 2007 concludes that acupuncture provides further relief medication or a placebo.

The report, which appears in the December edition of anesthesia and Analgesia, revised 25 randomized controlled trials in adults that lasted more than four weeks. In seven trials comparing acupuncture with medication, the researchers found that 62 percent of 479 patients had significant response to acupuncture and only 45 per cent to the medicine.

Fourteen trials with a total of 961 patients, compared with a placebo acupuncture treatment in which patients were brought to believe that they were receiving acupuncture. Of these, 53 per cent which is some pain relief with acupuncture, compared with 45 percent who felt better with placebo. In four trials comparing acupuncture with massage, massage worked better than acupuncture, but these studies were too small to draw statistically significant conclusions.

"People who receive acupuncture prefer medication, due to possible side effects of drugs," said Dr. Tong j. Gan, a co-author of the study and Professor of Anesthesiology at Duke. "This is an alternative therapy that is starting to move into the mainstream."

?More articles in health? a version of this article was printed on 16 December 2008, on page D6 of the New York Edition.

Fog of chemotherapy is No longer as illusion

Sally Ryan for Kamplain TimesDebbie of New York City of Peoria, Illinois, hired an agenda to help you prepare to move his family to Indiana.

In a chat room in Internet popular with breast cancer survivors, a thread called "where's my remote?" - makes the mental fog known as chemo in an act of comedy brain.

Go to the next paragraph Michael Houghton for the New York TimesWhen cannot remember where she parked her car, Lu Ann Hudson used a keychain that initiates a beep in her.

A woman reported finding five gallons without opening the milk in your refrigerator and there is no memory of the purchase of the first four. A second had to ask her husband toothbrush belonged to her.

At a family celebration, a woman fill the glasses of water with Turkey sauce. Another could not remember how to bring numbers to the cash account balance.

Once, the women complain of a constellation of symptoms after undergoing chemotherapy, including loss of memory in the short term, an inability to concentrate, difficulty to retrieve words, problems with multitasking and a general feeling that had lost the mental advantage - were often sent home with a paternalistic "there, there."

But attitudes are changing by a flurry of research and attention to the consequences of the life-saving treatment. There is now a widespread recognition that the patients with cognitive symptoms are not imagining things, and a growing number of oncologists are rushing to provide resources, including the stimulants commonly used for acupuncture and disorder attention deficit.

"Until recently, oncologists are what discount, trivialize it, patients feel that it was all in their heads," said Dr. Daniel Silverman, a researcher of cancer at the University of California, Los Angeles, which studies the cognitive effects of chemotherapy. "There now is enough literature, even if it is controversial, not to mention it as a possibility is ignorant or professional duty evasion".

This change is important for patients.

"Chemo brain is part of the language now, and that he recognized only makes a difference," said Anne Grant, 57, who has a business of framing of the image in New York City. Mrs Grant, who had high doses of chemotherapy and transplant of bone marrow in 1995, said that he could not concentrate it sufficiently well enough to read, unreadable prayers and fought with simple decisions such as what socks to wear.

Almost all the survivors of cancer have had toxic treatments such as chemotherapy experience loss of memory in the short term and difficulty concentrating during and shortly after, experts say. But a large majority improves. About 15 per cent, or approximately 360,000 of survivors of cancer breast female 2.4 million of the country, the group that has dominated research on side effects cognitive stay distracted years later, according to some experts. And nobody knows what distinguishes this 15 percent.

Oncologists most is that the culprits are very high doses of chemotherapy, as well as those awaiting a bone marrow transplant; the combination of chemotherapy and additional hormonal treatments such as inhibitors of tamoxifen or aromatase that decrease the amount of estrogen in women with cancers powered female hormones; and cancer of early onset that catapult to women in the age of 30 and 40 in the menopause.

Other tracks come from too small studies to be considered final. One of these studies found a gene linked to Alzheimer's disease in cancer survivors with cognitive deficits. Another, using analysis of PET found unusual activity on the part of the brain that controls the recovery in the short term.

The central puzzle of the chemo brain is that many of the symptoms may occur for reasons other than chemotherapy.

Abrupt menopause, which often follow treatment, also leaves many women fuzzy headed for more extreme than natural menopause, which develops slowly. Cognitive issues are also characteristics of depression and anxiety, that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. Drugs for nausea and pain also causes similar effects.

Dr. Tim Ahles, one of the first American scientists to study cognitive side effects, recognizes that the studies have been too small adequate baseline data and lacked to isolate a cause.

"Cognitive function is affected by many factors, and the types of cognitive problems associated with the treatment of cancer can be caused by many other things that the chemotherapy," said Dr. Ahles, director of research of neurocognitive at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

The new interest in the chemo brain is in fact, the testimony of great progress in the field. Patients who once would have died now living long enough to have cognitive side effects, as survivors of childhood leukemia did many years ago, forcing new treatment protocols to avoid learning problems.

"A large number of people is normal and long life," said Dr. Patricia Ganz, an oncologist at U.C.L.A. which is one of the first specialists in the final effects of treatment of the nation. "Not enough to heal." "We have to recognise the possible consequences and deal with them from the beginning."

As the researchers are looking for a cause, cancer survivors are trying to figure out how to spend the day sharing their experiences and taking advantage of the experience that more and more offers online by websites such as www.breastcancer.org and www.cancercare.org.

There are "ask the experts" teleconferencias, active and archived and factsheets to download and display a skeptical doctor. Message boards suggest sharpen the mind with puzzles designed Japanese sudoku or compensatory techniques to help the victims of brain injuries. There are also hoodies sale to say "have a chemo brain." "What is your excuse?"

By an overwhelming majority were effects Studios cognitive among breast cancer patients because they represent by far the largest group of cancer survivors and because they tend to be sophisticated defenders, defying doctors and volunteer for research.

A Chinese art in the context of the West

Conor Friedersdorf and Reihan Salam on the limits of presidential power. For some, speech by the Chairman on the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan echoed unfortunate moments in history.

Acupuncture for Effective Weight Loss

In a generation when physical fitness is given topmost attention, people are always on the lookout for the newest and most effective means for weight loss. Acupuncture, the method of inserting thin, filiform needles on certain points in an individual’s body, has been found to be one effectual method for losing weight.

Not many people may find the idea of being inserted by needles quite comforting in their quest for weight control. However, this ancient Chinese alternative treatment seeks to deliver a control mechanism, enabling the patient to manage hunger cravings more successfully in the long run.

The Skinny on Acupuncture Weight Loss

It has been found that weight gain is directly related to emotions. Other than physical hunger, people reach for a huge chocolate bar or a big platter of burger and fries because of the sense of comfort derived from food and eating. More often than not, excessive weight gain is an emotional issue, rather than a mere physical one. You may not realize it, but you tend to take in more food whenever you’re stressed, upset, or pressured.

In Acupuncture, there are specific spots on the body being targeted by the hair-like needles. These spots are linked to certain areas in the body and by stimulating these spots; the patient will achieve a greater sense of inner balance. As these points are inserted by the needles, certain hormones are released throughout the body. These substances work by helping you manage hunger and efficiently control the impulse to overeat.

How Acupuncture Induces Weight Loss

Most acupuncturists will target the spots behind the ear when it comes to promoting weight loss. When these points behind the ear are stimulated, endorphins are released in large doses. Endorphins are called the feel-good hormones, and these are also often referred to as natural pain and fever relievers. The release of endorphins is what makes you feel better after an increased level of physical activity, as in the case of a good workout.

These bodily compounds allow the patient to experience better relaxation, thus considerably alleviating stress. There is a greater possibility of enhanced weight loss when the patient has already achieved emotional wellness. Endorphins are also released whenever the body experiences low levels of bodily pain, thus their moniker as a natural pain reliever.

Patients of acupuncture typically experience very minimal or no pain at all, however most of the points are located near nerve endings and muscle tissues. As the needles are embedded in the body, signals are sent to the brain thus promoting the release of endorphins from the pituitary gland.

There are also other points in the body that serve as gateways for better weight management. One of these placements promotes a decrease in an individual’s appetite, while another has the ability to reduce water retention in the body. The acupuncturist may choose a multi-targeted approach, depending on the requirements of the patient.

Consulting with a Professional Acupuncturist

There are a number of acupuncture practitioners in existence nowadays, offering a host of services. If you are considering this form treatment for your weight management, make sure that you settle with no less than a trained and professional acupuncturist. A poorly trained acupuncturist may not be able to pinpoint the specific meridian points and worse, may cause unnecessary bodily pain and discomfort.

Moreover, your acupuncturist may require an herbal supplement for your treatment, to encourage a longer-term effect. Your sessions need not be maintained for an extensive period; however you may be required to visit your acupuncturist during the entire course of the sessions.

There are other means for losing weight successfully, and this does not include crash dieting and strenuous work outs. If carried out by trained professionals, acupuncture can be the answer for effective weight management. While it is far from being a cure-all, it may just be the right weight loss solution for you.

Acupuncture Can Help Treat Migraines

Acupuncture can help treat migraines. This was discovered after a comparative study was done with conventional medical care. In some cases, it even prevents it from happening which helps improve the quality of life for the patient.

To understand how acupuncture helps migraine sufferers, you have to understand that in traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that an imbalance in the flow of blood and energy causes this to happen.

In order to treat it, the specialist must relieve the tension by inserting needles into the body to improve the blood flow to the brain thus reducing the pain experienced during an attack.

The needles used helps the body balance the serotonin levels since it is a neurotransmitter that affects blood vessels and has a role to play in migraines. In fact the more frequent these sessions are the better. It may even come to a point where the specific point of contact is no longer needed but the general stimulation itself.

The end result of undergoing acupuncture is amazing. If you experience 15 to 20 days of agonizing pain, this may be count down to only 8 days. You won’t even need to use that much medication anymore as before.

For those who are working, this is good so that they are not absent from work that much and there won’t be that much deductions in their salary.

But how well acupuncture does for one patient may vary with another. This depends on the condition of the attack and the individual.

The best part about acupuncture is that there are no side effects and it is painless. Skillful professionals can do this so you don’t suffer from hematoma or pneumothorax. Another disease is potentially dangerous is HIV or hepatitis which can be prevented of course as long as the needles used are properly sterilized. It will be much better if the person uses disposable needles.

Acupuncture has been practiced in the United States for more than 2 decades. Although tests have shown how effective it can be to treat chronic conditions and certain addictions, more studies need to be done to see where else it can be useful.

Although one test has proven that acupuncture can help migraines, other tests will also have to be done to prove if this is true. Until such time that other results are published, patients will have to rely on conventional medicine that is prescribed by a doctor.

But you don’t have to wait for the results to come out. If you think it is worth a try, go for it. Just ask for a referral from your doctor as there are many practitioners who have accepted the fact that alternative forms of medicine can also help a patient.

You can also find someone online. You can be sure they are certified if they are recognized by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Aside from that, you should also make some lifestyle changes as there are trigger factors that have been known to cause migraines. Stress is number one on the list so you get enough rest and exercise as well as a balanced diet.

Patients who are suffering from migraine should also check if acupuncture is covered by their HMO. Most insurance providers and HMO’s these days cover all or part of the cost but there are restrictions so you should check what is covered by your policy.

The Effectiveness Of Acupuncture

Whenever you are feeling pain and discomfort, you'd usually reach for your painkillers for relief. While they do relieve the pain, they also bring along side effects that comes with taking foreign chemicals into your body. As much as modern medicine has developed drugs that can relieve pain right off the bat, do you really think that the quick fixes you've been taking are actually good for your body? Why not try something safer and more effective like acupuncture.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture has surged in popularity for the last few decades as brought on by the recent health trend. Mostly known as a traditonal Chinese medical technique, acupuncture is seen as a homeopathic method of treatment. While alternative medicine does raise a lot of eyebrows for the scientifically-inclined, it does merit attention before being dismissed as a quack cure.

Basic Procedure

Basically, needles are inserted into the skin, each corresponding to one of the numerous pressure points located throughout the body. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, by inserting a needle into the pressure point, an acupuncturist can manipulate the flow of chi or life force, thus relieving pain and gradually treating the patient. While most would say that the whole chi thing is a bunch of nonsense, science has suggested that with the needles inserted, the body's natural painkillers called endorphins are released, thus helping with pain relief.

Instruments

Modern acupuncturists nowadays use disposable fine stainless steel needles that are 0.007 to 0.020 inches in diameter which are sterilized with either ethylene oxide or by autoclave. Since they are way finer than hypodermic syringe needles, being poked by these needles are relatively painless. The upper third of the needle is covered with either a thicker bronze wire or plastic to make the needle sturdier and easier to handle. The length of the needle and how far they are inserted is all up to the acupuncturist and his practised style of acupuncture.

Example Of Treatment

If a patient has a headache, he/she is diagnosed and is treated by stimulating the sensitive points located at the webs between the thumbs and palms. In acupuncture theory, these points are connected to the face and head and can be used for treatment of headaches and other ailments involved. Needles are then carefully inserted into the skin until the patient feels a twinge, which is usually accompanied by a slight involuntary twitching of the area. During this treatment, a number of things may occur.

- Sensitivity to pain in where needles are inserted.

- A hint of nausea during treatment in case of bad headaches.

- Near-immediate headache relief.

Evolution

As an ancient method, acupuncture has crossed over into the modern age with implementations of technology and recent scientific findings. Electrical stimulation is now a common technique that is combined with acupuncture to produce more effective results. Also, acupuncturists combined this eastern technique with western methods to further enhance the treatment.

Practitioners have eventually realized that leaning towards one school of thought can't propagate progress unless they are willing to move towards the future by looking towards other horizons as well.

Reactions And Research

Not everyone is impressed with acupuncture itself. Most western medical professionals have expressed either doubt or indifference to the oriental method while others have downright driven it down into the earth with criticisms and brutal skepticism. However, recent research shows the efficacy (or lack thereof) of acupuncture, and while more research has to be done, it has been proven to actually positively affect some, but not all, forms of ailments that it claims to cure.

So as the doors open to a new age of acupuncture, give it a try when you feel the need for pain relief and you will not be disappointed. As the Chinese have used it for many centuries, so should we.

How to Look For a Good Acupuncture School

Since 1982, acupuncture has found its way to the US. There are currently 50 schools that teach it and 3,000 licensed practitioners all over the country. Do you think you can be a licensed professional? Here are a few things to help you look for a good acupuncture school.

You should now that the 50 schools mentioned are all accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. It is recognized by the Department of Education and some of these schools even have a masters program.

Most of these schools can be found online so you can give them a call and ask certain questions about the school. You can find out the cost of tuition, the teacher student ratio, if the school offers consultation services to students and the alumni and if they have an extensive library which focuses on traditional Chinese medicine.

Should there be a school near where you live, you should probably take it so you don’t have to worry about boarding and lodging as this is just added cost to this long term investment.

If you like the school but cannot afford the cost of tuition, find out if they offer scholarships or if they have a grant in aid program. If there are none, then check with the federal government because they should have one and they will give it to deserving students who plan to enroll in a school accredited by the National Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

Some states do not require you to get a license once you graduate from the program. However, if you plan to practice this elsewhere, you should prepare yourself for the state board exam as this is a requirement.

The lists of subjects you will be learning in school include anatomy, body therapy, massage therapy and the other sciences. Training will be done also in a clinical setting so you are able to put theory into practice but this will only happen in your third year.

While some schools will let you finish a program in three years, there are those that can be completed after five.

Lately, acupuncture school has also gone down the digital path by offering cyber distance programs for those who cannot go to school. Some of these offer CEU’s or continuing education units to advance programs.

These courses can be chosen on the basis of modules or on an hourly basis. The course material covers the history, theory and techniques of acupuncture. Courses that offer tools such as acupuncture DVD and video are ideal for acupuncturists or students of acupuncture to improve their clinical expertise.

Once you graduate from acupuncture school, some will open their own practice while others will first work for a clinic. Those who decide to be employed will work with other professionals that may include naturopaths, chiropractors and other specialists that are also into Oriental Medicine.

The average acupuncturist makes about $45,000 a year but this can change in the years to follow as they add years or experience under their belt. This just goes to show that if you work hard, you too will make a fortune. Just make sure that you do this properly for each patient because one mistake could make this all go away.

The Do’s and Don’t of Acupuncture

There are things that patients have to be aware of before, during and after surgery. The same goes for those who undergo acupuncture because in order to enhance the value of the treatment, there are some do’s and don’ts that patients have to follow.

First, you should not eat a large meal before or after treatment.

You should also avoid over exercising, engaging in a sexual activity or consume alcoholic beverages 6 hours before and after treatment.

Since the acupuncture session will last from 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on how often you have to go to the clinic, you better fix your schedule so you have time to rest.

Chances are, you were consulting with a doctor prior to your visit to the acupuncturist. If there are any prescription medicines given, don’t forget to take them.

You will not feel any improvement after just one or two visits with the acupuncturist. Just the same, you should write this down so you can go back to the acupuncturist on your next visit and tell him or her how you felt during the previous session. Such feedback will let the specialist know what needs to be modified in the future to help you with your problem.

The acupuncturist might give you some herbs to take as part of your treatment. Since you don’t know if taking them will have any side effects with the medication you are taking, you should first consult with your doctor if it is safe to consume both.

Women who are pregnant are also advised not to undergo acupuncture treatment. However, they can engage in that once the baby is born.

How well the acupuncture treatment will go depends also on specialist who will be performing it. You have to take into account their years of experience and skill so they are able to make the correct diagnosis, finding the acupoints in the body, the angle at which the needles will be inserted and the techniques they know as there are different types of acupuncture.

This brings us to asking ourselves how to find a skill acupuncturist. For this to work, we have to do ask our doctor if they can refer anyone. It wouldn’t hurt to also do some research online. After all, there are about 3,000 acupuncturists all across the country so it won’t be that hard to find one.

Before you decide to have a session with them, talk to the acupuncturist to know their credentials. This will also give you the opportunity to find out how much do they charge as this can be from $45 to more than $100 per session.

You can probably ask for the name and contact number of a previous client so you can ask this person how everything went. Remember, if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t be afraid to find someone else who can do a better job.

The most important thing to do during the session is to relax. If you feel an itch or something, tell the acupuncturist. The same goes if you are nervous or experience a burning sensation so the specialist will take out the needles.

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of acupuncture, you should ask yourself if this form of treatment is right for you. If conventional medication doesn’t work, it wouldn’t hurt to see how things turn out.

Eight Myths About Acupuncture

There are a lot of myths with regards to acupuncture. Some of these are true; others are silly while the rest only have a half truth. As you read on, you will learn which ones are worth believing.

The first myth is that acupuncture is painful. This is not true because those who have tried it claimed they only experienced a tiny prick while others did not feel anything at all. There is no tissue damage when the needle is inserted into the skin or pulled out and only in very rare cases are there traces of bruising.

The second myth is that you can get hepatitis or AIDS from acupuncture. This is true only if the needles used are not sterilized. In the US, this will never happen because acupuncturists are required to use disposable needles thus you are not at risk from these two diseases.

Third, acupuncture is used to treat pain. This is only a half truth because this holistic technique has been proven to do other things such as stop a person’s addiction, lose weight and prevent certain illnesses.

Fourth, there are some who think that Asians are the only ones that can practice acupuncture. Since 1982, there are already 50 schools all across the country that teach students about this technique and become licensed acupuncturists.

This means that anyone who has the desire to learn about this ancient practice can do so and help treat patients. Just to give you an idea, there are at least 3,000 acupuncturists now working in the US.

Fifth, medical doctors do not believe in the potential of alternative medicine. This is not true because there are more doctors these days that are open to the idea that there are other ways to help patients aside from conventional medicine. In fact, some of them even recommend an acupuncturist if they know that what they have done is not effective.

Another myth is that every patient will undergo the four needle technique. This is not true and it will only be used when the specialist feels that the energy of the patient is virtually not moving as a last resort.

The seventh myth is that it is better for a medical doctor to perform acupuncture. This is wrong because the training is much different than that taught in medical school. Students who have an acupuncturist license train for 3,000 hours before they are allowed to practice this profession. So between an acupuncturist and a medical doctor, you should go with someone who has learned about this much longer.

The eighth myth is that acupuncture is only used in third world countries. This is not true because this technique originated in China more than 2000 years ago and this has spread to developed nations in Asia such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

Here at home, acupuncture been practiced for more than 2 decades and is legal in 30 states. In fact 22 of them, license professionals after they graduate once they pass the state board examination.

Although acupuncture has been around for a very long time, there is still a need for this form of holistic healthcare which is why this is being taught in colleges and in use today. It is painless and cost efficient and a lot of studies have shown that it is effective in treating various illnesses and preventing some of them.

Acupuncture Degrees

If you want to pursue a career in acupuncture, you need to obtain a degree and become a licensed professional.

This can easily be accomplished in three years of schooling from an accredited alternative medicine school which prepares students in the various acupuncture techniques to treat illnesses resulting from allergies, occupational stress, emphysema, gastrointestinal stress, arthritis, headaches, depression, and hypertension to name a few.

Students who enroll in such courses will be taught through demonstration, discussion and hands on application.

Part of the curriculum will also include basic courses in traditional medicine covering subjects such as anatomy, biosciences, medical terminology, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and acupressure. In some schools, they may require students to also learn about nutrition and various kinds of research.

Once they graduate, they may start in an entry level position earning $40,000 or more which will soon double or triple after years of experience and working themselves up the ladder.

If you want to look for a school that offers acupuncture degrees, it is best to go online and see which one has the best program that suits your requirements.

You won’t have a hard time looking for one as the number of institutions which teach students about acupuncture have gone up at a rapid rate since 1982 when the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) and the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) were established.

To date there are about 50 colleges and a few also offer a master’s degree in Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture.

So what are you waiting for? If you think you have what it takes to be an acupuncturist, then go ahead and just do it.

It doesn’t matter if you are still in high school or if you are already working because a shift in your career could let you achieve your true calling.

The best way to start though is to talk with an acupuncturist about what it takes to become one so he or she will be able to give you an idea of what happens in the job.

If you haven’t picked a school, talk to students about the curriculum so you get your money’ s worth should you decide to attend this college.

A lot of people are unaware that acupuncture is not yet legal in every state. You can find work or start your own practice in California, New York, Texas, Hawaii and Oregon with 8 more states that are still pending legislation.

We mentioned that you have to study in a school certified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM). One more hurdle you have to face before getting your license is passing an exam given by them except in the state of California which has its own regulating body and board certification exam in order for you to practice your profession.

An acupuncturist degree is just the first step in becoming your own boss. To become a master, you have to learn everything there is to know as a student so those who entrust themselves to you in the future will not have any problems.

As more people are opening their minds to this practice, people should know that getting an acupuncture degree will not replace traditional medicine since there are limits to what it can do for the patient. It is merely a form of holistic healthcare that works hand in hand with science to help the person deal with an illness.

Acupuncture Closely Revealed

The foundation of acupuncture rests on the relevance of an individual’s chi in maintaining bodily and mental health. It is believed that chi is present in every living creature, and flows through specific pathways in the body. Health problems arise when the flow of chi on the body is blocked. As a result, a person may feel persistent headaches, muscle pain, fever, weakness, or in the worst case, becomes afflicted with more serious health conditions.

A Deeper Explanation of Acupuncture

Acupuncture has its origins in ancient Chinese philosophy and practice. More than ten thousand years ago, during the Old Stone Age of China, stones were fashioned into knives for medical purposes. After several years, during the New Stone Age, these stones were eventually made into needles intended for the same therapeutic end. These accounts are further evidenced by unearthed stone needles found to be of the same types used during the New Stone Age.

There are basically 14 pathways throughout the body where chi flows continuously. These are called the meridian points. In order for chi to course through the body unobstructed, there has to be a balance between the strengths of yin and yang. In ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent the forces of the universe- yin is for feminine, while yang is for masculine. Every single thing in the universe is believed to contain both yin and yang for harmony.

When the yin and yang are not balanced, chi cannot stream through the body liberally. Therefore, the meridian points through which chi courses through need to be stimulated. This is done by the insertion of hair-thin, disposable needles in specific areas on a person’s body to induce bodily harmony and bring about healing.

A certified and trained acupuncturist will be able to carry out an excellent therapy session for the patient. Trainings for acupuncturists are given in order for them to obtain their licenses. A poor practitioner may not be proficient enough with the practice and could end up jeopardizing the results of the entire procedure. Nowadays, it is wise to verify on a practitioner’s credentials to ensure a safe and effective acupuncture treatment.

What This Ancient Method Does

One of the foremost effects of acupuncture on the body is relaxation. Stress is frequently pinpointed as the main precursor for a host of physical ailments. There are particular points all over the body that direct the flow of harmony and relaxation and when these are enthused, the patient becomes more at ease.

Another positive effect of this alternative therapy is increased pain control. During a session, a patient will usually feel very minimal pain as the thin needles are being inserted gradually. However, the needles are deliberately placed in varying depths, depending on the health requirements of the patient. When the needles reach the right depth, the patient will feel deeper pain, although the entire procedure is not necessarily painful.

It is also recommended for relief from chemotherapy fatigue as well as chemotherapy-related nausea. It has also been found to be largely effective for back pains, migraines, menstrual cramps, and as a pain controller for patients after undergoing surgical operations.

Variations of Conventional Acupuncture

Auriculotherapy or ear acupuncture is one of the variations of conventional acupuncture. In this practice, it is believed that the ear provides a map for all the major bodily organs. A specific area or point on the ear corresponds to a particular organ, such as the heart, kidneys, or liver. Thus, the needles are placed in particular points around the ear and on the ear cartilage.

Staplepuncture is a method used in smoking cessation, wherein staples are placed for a certain period anywhere on the ear area to provide stimulation.

Indeed there is growing evidence that this traditional Oriental practice can rival any modern forms of treatment. If you are one of the many people who are looking for a widely recognized and time honored therapeutic practice, acupuncture may just be the alternative treatment for you.

Acupuncture and Autism

Studies have shown that there is an increase in the number of children that have been diagnosed with autism. Until now, doctors have not yet found a cure to this illness which is why some parents want to experiment with alternative forms of treatment and one example is acupuncture.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach in treating and preventing certain diseases. Its main tool are very thin needles that are inserted to targeted points in the body. The body has about 400 of them linked through a system known as meridians or pathways. Once these are stimulated, these are supposed to create balance in the body.

Autism on the other hand is a brain disorder that is long term. This disease is characterized by deficits in language, social communication and cognition. Children who are diagnosed with this illness may also suffer from secondary problems such as aggression, irritability, stereotypes, hyperactivity, negativism, volatile emotions, temper tantrums, short attention span and obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Preliminary studies have shown that acupuncture may provide symptomatic relief to children suffering from autism. Although difficult at first, it is believed that it is rewarding in the long run. This is because while conventional therapy and treatment requires that the child stay still, acupuncture doesn’t. Some say it’s a quick prick at the vital points in the body.

A group of children in the US participated in a test to see how effective acupuncture is among children. There are 22 respondents and each of them was given the treatment once every other day for four months.

After the treatment 20 out of the 22 respondents showed remarkable improvement. In fact 2 of them has cerebral blood flow. The only thing that did not change prior to treatment and after was the blood flow between the left and right cerebrum as it showed no differences.

Aside from traditional acupuncture to help children with autism, a preliminary study in Hong Kong is trying to see if tongue acupuncture can produce better results.

Results have showed that of 30 respondents in the test, majority showed functional improvement of various degrees depending on the age and severity of their disabilities. Some improvement was noticeable within a few TAC sessions, especially for drooling, spasticity (scissoring or tiptoeing), ataxia, and poor balance in walking. Functional improvement was noted after one to two courses of TAC. Most children tolerated TAC well, with only occasional pain and minor bleeding in some patients.

The reason why tongue acupuncture is being experimented with is because there is a connection between the tongue and the heart through the meridians that spread to all the organs in the body. It is believed that the points on the tongue can influence the state of the other body organs thus giving relief to the one suffering from autism.

But many believe that acupuncture alone cannot help autism sufferers. It has to be combined with other things like maintaining a certain diet to help improve one’s mood and communication schools. Although it is only short term, it is better than nothing until a cure is found.

When will the cure be found? Only time can tell as there are many other questions that have to be answered in order for doctors to further understand neurological disabilities. Doctors who are conducting research believe that an interdisciplinary approach is needed given that acupuncture has shown positive results in helping children with autism.

A Primer on Medical Acupuncture

Have you ever had an uncontrollable urge to be pierced by a dozen needles? This is the image most people get when someone mentions the word “acupuncture”. It comes as no surprise that most view this technique with suspicion, even downright horror. The fact is, however, that this relatively painless ancient Chinese technique has helped relieve the symptoms of millions of people. Properly used, it can help in the management of many medical conditions including chronic pain and fatigue.

How does needle puncture work?

Practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine believe in energy flows. This energy, called Qi, circulates around the body using pathways called meridians. Meridians run very close to the surface of the skin in certain areas and can be accessed by needles. Much like plumbing, these pipes can get blocked or go the wrong way, causing health problems. The insertion of needles at these points is aimed to help loosen blocks and normalize flow.

It sounds like a made-up explanation with no basis in reality, but there are numerous scientific studies which support the effects of acupuncture. Although the exact scientific basis is still unknown, recent theories seem to suggest involvement of complicated neurochemical effects in the brain, nerve to spinal cord impulse modulation, and microscopic connective tissue changes.

What risks and side effects are of concern?

The use of things not completely understood for the treatment of medical conditions is nothing new. Penicillin and aspirin were used for decades solely on the basis of their beneficial effects, without doctors knowing exactly how they worked. Results are what are truly important. However, it is equally important is to ensure that the technique is used safely.

Like other strategies used in treating health conditions, acupuncture may have some side effects. Medications have side effects and allergic reactions, surgeries have risk of infection and complications. For needle puncture, there is a risk of injury, rare infections, minor bleeding, small bruises, and some dizziness.

You can minimize the possible side effects by choosing a licensed acupuncturist. Most countries either have government licensing in place or have professional organizations with very strict rules and regulations.

How do treatments go?

An acupuncturist will do an initial evaluation of your medical history and your body’s current state. Multiple pressure points are palpated, and a regimen of treatment is formulated. Most courses involve a series of 10 to 20 treatment sessions, each lasting 30 to 90 minutes. Needles will be carefully placed at the required points and kept in place for some time. Most patients report a feeling of mild sensation at the site of the puncture, but no real pain.

Right after each acupuncture session, you will feel a bit tired and may need to rest. Some people feel an increase in their energy levels. The response to acupuncture is very individual. In some cases there is immediate relief of symptoms. For some patients, the beneficial effects may only be noticed after undergoing a few sessions. Do not be alarmed and keep your acupuncturist updated on what you are feeling to ensure everything is going as expected.

You need never fear the thought of needles ever again. Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment with a long history of effectiveness. It is used to complement current medical therapy and should not replace currently existing medications or treatments.

The safe application of this once exclusively Chinese therapy can now be experienced by chronic disease sufferers worldwide.

Quitting Smoking for Good with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is already a renowned method used in treating smoking addiction. An alternative medicine believed to have originated as far as 3000 BC in ancient China, this treatment is now being widely utilized for various medicinal and therapeutic purposes. It has been found furthermore to successfully treat drug dependence and chronic smoking addiction.

There are several smoking cessation medications and therapies available presently. However acupuncture is a recommended alternative procedure, especially where conventional therapies have already failed. The strategic insertion of needles in various parts of the body aims to treat the condition in a more profound and emotional level. A smoker needs to free himself from the physiological and psychological addiction of smoking, thus necessitating a more holistic treatment.

How It Stops the Addiction

The placement of needles is usually located behind the ear, or on the ear cartilage. This is where the calming effect takes place, curbing the patient’s cravings for more cigarettes. People who have a smoking habit are bound to take up the nicotine stick more often whenever they feel stressed, bored, or depressed. Needles are also often inserted on the hand and wrists to promote a steadier flow of bodily energy. The feeling of relaxation will help an individual think twice about lighting a cigarette again.

Furthermore, this treatment has been found to help an individual deal with the withdrawal symptoms better. This alternative medicine promotes better tolerance to pain and discomfort during smoking cessation. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe and may involve nausea, palpitations, and dizziness. Oftentimes, these same conditions will propel an individual back to his smoking tendencies sooner than later.

Nicotine is the addictive and toxic substance present in a cigarette. This is the same substance that makes quitting a big challenge for most smokers. The nicotine that you get from smoking will attach itself to the pleasure areas in the brain, making it hard for you to stop. Without a steady stream of this substance, a smoker will tend to feel depressed and uncomfortable.

People who have undergone acupuncture treatment reported that they no longer find cigarettes as tempting or as satisfying. Oftentimes, smoking would leave an awful taste in their mouths prompting them to stop their habit for once. Some patients would even resort to eating mints or lozenges to clear to get rid of the terrible aftertaste.

According to skilled practitioners, approximately 7 out of 10 smokers will successfully extricate themselves from their smoking habit after 2 or 3 weeks. While the others are unable to quit totally, these smokers will be able to cut down on their cigarette consumption quite significantly.

Treatment from Acupuncture Experts

It is very essential for a patient to consult with a skilled acupuncturist. A more personalized service will be provided by an expert, as well as added counseling for the patient. Moreover, an acupuncturist may prescribe herbal supplements to aid the patient in quitting efforts.

During treatment, filiform needles are inserted into specific points on the ear cartilage, as well as the hands and wrists. Normal procedures last for about 30 minutes. Body acupuncture can be used in combination with the ear and wrist needle placements. An acupuncturist may also utilize a mild electric current, to enhance the effect of the needles through the body.

The greatest advantage of this ancient Oriental procedure is the absence of side-effects during and after treatment. Unlike smoking cessation medications and nicotine replacement therapy products, acupuncture does not employ chemically manufactured substances. There is also no risk of weight gain during therapy. In conjunction with helping a patient quit smoking, it can also curb appetite, thus reducing food cravings.

If you have tried several methods in smoking cessation to no avail, perhaps it is high time you consider the alternative method that is acupuncture. With the right practitioner and the right frame of mind, there is no reason why you won’t be nicotine-free before long.

Acupuncture is an Example of Holistic Healthcare

Holistic healthcare by definition is being able to cure an illness through the use alternative means. This means no medication is given to the patient and an instrument like a bunch of needles could do the trick.

Acupuncture has been around for than 2000 years. It is only recently that this holistic form of healthcare has reached the US. Studies have shown that it can treat minor problems and prevent some from happening.

The needles used in acupuncture are very thin but thicker than the human hair. This makes it smaller than those used on hypodermic needles.

Most patients that undergo acupuncture will not feel any significant change after one session which is why a few sessions are needed. Best of all, it is painless so your body will not feel sore afterwards.

Several studies have been conducted about acupuncture and there have been positive results. For instance in the UK, 400 participants who were suffering from migraines claimed they felt better after 3 months worth of sessions.

In the US, acupuncture has also proven to be effective in helping people deal with arthritis because the needles help the body fight against this chronic illness that is much cheaper and more effective than conventional medicine.

Acupuncture can do more than just helping patients deal with arthritis or migraine. Clinical tests have shown that it can help obese people lose weight and those who are suffering from insomnia.

In some countries, acupuncture has even been used to replace chemical anesthesia prior to surgery as there are some patients who are not able to tolerate regular anesthesia.

Another field which acupuncture has proven to be effective is helping patients deal with their addictions such as alcohol, drugs and smoking. One study of smokers revealed that the average patient will cut down by half the number of cigarettes they consume after just one treatment. Just imagine the potential after a few more sessions!

This has resulted in the establishment of clinics nationwide that only use acupuncture as the means of rehabilitation.

Acupuncturists in the US charge from $75 to $150 per session. This usually gets lower in the succeeding treatments. The person will probably have to undergo 10 to 15 treatments 2 to 3 times a week but this really depends on the condition of the patient.

Before you go to one, you should check if this is covered by your insurance. If it isn’t, perhaps you should suggest that it should be included as it is much cheaper than having to undergo surgery.

Although there are risks if you decide to go undergo acupuncture, these can be avoided as long as the one doing it is a licensed professional who makes sure that the needles used are sterilized before they are inserted into the body.

These days, a lot of people in the medical field have accepted the fact that alternative medicine such as this can also help the patient which is why they may refer someone when it is needed.

So, if you are tired of experiencing the side effects of conventional medicine and want to try a holistic form of healthcare, why don’t you see what acupuncture can do for you? It is painless and cost effective. In fact, it is just one of many you can try to help treat a chronic condition.