Pain Talk

Written by A. L. Shaw, M.D.

---

Tell Me About Medical Acupuncture

Medical Acupuncture is a collection of techniques utilized for a very long time to relieve or reduce pain, and encourage the body’s natural healing and functions. Commonly, relief or reduction of pain is accomplished where traditional, scientific therapies have previously failed or been minimally effective. When one undergoes medical acupuncture there are several very fine needles inserted at specific locations in the body according to the plan to be accomplished and your disease states.

Traditional or Classical acupuncture was developed in China, and perhaps, in Persia, hundreds or even thousands of years ago as a system for diagnosing and treating disease. It was one component of the Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with various herbs and other natural therapies without the current, modern, scientific medical knowledge. Recently medical communities in western Europe and the Americas have studied acupuncture scientifically and to thus obtain a glimpse at its mechanisms of action and thus some of the reasons for its effectiveness. Western or Anatomical acupuncture refers to a modified, modern approach develop in those areas.

With their knowledge of human anatomy, medical pathology, and physiology, modern physicians, who are also trained to practice acupuncture, are able to utilize the techniques most effectively. Technology has allowed many more effective modifications upon the techniques, such as electrical stimulators and lasers. When combined with modern medicine, the combination of the old and the new are a more effective combination than either alone.

Tell me about acupuncture mechanisms of action. Stimulation of the body from acupuncture needles cause it to produce internal chemicals which are shown to help relieve pain and swelling. One group of these chemicals, endorphin, are like internal morphine; another is like internal cortisone. These chemicals can attach to special areas in the nervous system, called receptors to help effect relief of pain and swelling. Additionally, other chemicals can cause significant relaxation and a sense of physical and psychological well-being after acupuncture therapy, thus naturally realigning the body’s own physiology and defenses to heal itself.

Tell me about how medical acupuncture can help me today. Medical acupuncture is quite effective, even where other therapies have failed, in minimizing or defeating many painful conditions of recent or distant onset. The World Health Organization of the United Nations has listed the following conditions in which they believe medical acupuncture has a significant positive role to play: ¨ Neurological and muscular diseases, particularly those causing most types of pain such as neuralgia, spinal pain, tendonitis, arthritis, sciatica, and muscular pain of all types; ¨ Addiction to many types of chemicals; ¨ Insomnia of most types; ¨ Urinary, gynecological and reproductive problems; ¨ Pulmonary disorders such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and bronchitis; ¨ Gastro-intestinal problems such as hyperacidity gastritis, spastic bowel problems, constipation, diarrhea, and many types of nausea.

Prior to any successful therapy of illness, a complete medical history, and accurate diagnosis is mandatory. After a detailed consultation is accomplished, the physician utilizing medical acupuncture will be able to advise if acupuncture is an appropriate therapy with which to proceed.

Directory

	Newsletter - Main Page
	When Should You Get Treatment For Trauma From A Vehicle Accident?
	Real Challenges, Real Solutions
	Meet the Physician
	Pain Pointers
	Pain Talk