Acupuncture: a Proven Success

For many in the United States, complaints such as fatigue, depression, and chronic pain have unfortunately become a normal part of life. Western medicine in general has really failed in the attempt to quell these common afflictions. A method which has been in use for thousands of years outside the world of Western medicine is now finally being recognized in the United States, and its results are spectacular.

Acupuncture is a part of Traditional Oriental Medicine which involves the insertion of very thin needles at specific points in the human body. Acupuncture is based on the Eastern idea of Qi (chee). Qi is based on the flow and patterns of energy throughout the body. Blockages in this energy flow are the root of nearly every problem within the human body. These needles reopen or redirect the energy flows in the body relieving the receiver of whatever afflictions he or she has intended the healer to correct.

As acupuncture gets more and more popular in the United States, more and more Americans try this method of healing. It is estimated that 15 million Americans have tried acupuncture, and that five million undergo the treatment on a yearly basis. Many states now have acupuncture organizations, regulations, and codes. There are now more than 50 accredited acupuncture schools in the United States.

The World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have both recognized acupuncture as an effective proven treatment.

In the United States, acupuncture is practiced differently from the way it is practiced in China. Western physicians practice acupuncture, and this is termed “Medical Acupuncture.” There are also many different styles of acupuncture, and the most commonly used and taught in American schools is Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture.

Proof of the effectiveness of acupuncture can be found in the studies which show that acupuncture generates biological responses in humans and animals. It is well-established that acupuncture creates the release of chemicals and hormones. One of these chemicals, endorphins, are responsible for pain relief, digestive regularity, and emotional well-being.

Because of the narrow-minded nature of Western medicine, Western doctors are finding it really hard to reconcile within standard western medical models how exactly this treatment works. There is a lot which is still being learned about this process in the Western World. Acupuncture is something which has been effective long before Western medicine was effective and even widely established. There is much to be learned from the much older cultures of the East.