Frequently Asked Questions about Acupuncture
- What is acupuncture?
- What is Qi (Pronounced chee)?
- What are meridians?
- Does acupuncture hurt?
- Is acupuncture safe?
- Who should perform acupuncture?
- How many treatments are needed?
- What conditions can acupuncture treat?
- Does acupuncture increase pregnancy rates in infertility patients?
- How widely is acupuncture used in the United States?
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a powerful method of healing developed in China at least 2,000 years ago. Established as one of the most important components of Chinese medicine, it promotes natural healing and improved physical and emotional well-being. Today, acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most studied scientifically involves inserting very fine metallic needles into precise acupuncture points that are manipulated by the hands or electrical stimulation.
What is Qi (Pronounced chee)?
Qi is a Chinese term for vital energy or life force. In traditional Chinese medicine, qi is believed to regulate a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical balance, and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang.
What are meridians?
Meridian is a traditional Chinese medicine term for each of the 20 pathways throughout the body for the flow of qi, or vital energy, accessed through acupuncture points.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Because acupuncture needles are extremely fine and flexible, most people do not experience discomfort when they are inserted. When Qi has been influenced, a sensation may be felt such as a tingling, heaviness or a slight flow of energy. The most common experience during treatment is a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
Is acupuncture safe?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. For safety purposes, the FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.
Who should perform acupuncture?
Acupuncture should only be performed by a licensed, certified practitioner. Standards to practice acupuncture safely and effectively have been established by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). In Massachusetts, in order to be licensed, one must graduate from a three-year accredited program, which includes extensive clinical training. To be certified, one must pass a national, three day examination. Practitioners who follow their name with the abbreviation L. Ac. are Licensed Acupuncturists and have attained at least the minimum standard or training, as well as approval by a state or national licensing board.
How many treatments are needed?
No two conditions or people respond exactly the same. The number of treatments required will vary depending on the severity and nature of the condition.
What conditions can acupuncture treat?
According to the National Institutes of Health, acupuncture may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of adult post-operative and chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting, post-operative dental pain, addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, stress, and anxiety. Our experience suggests that some people do quite well with acupuncture while others less so. For most conditions, patients generally know within the first few visits if it is helpful for them.
Does acupuncture increase pregnancy rates in infertility patients?
Several studies have looked at the impact of acupuncture in men who had low sperm counts, and there appears to be improvement (and subsequent pregnancies) in many, but there have not yet been any controlled studies, so we just don't know. For women, studies have shown increased pregnancy rates in those women who received acupuncture compared to women who lay quietly. However, it is not known if this effect is from the acupuncture or from a placebo effect. We know that most people who receive acupuncture report feeling an increased sense of well-being, less anxiety, and less depression, and since there is an association with increased pregnancy rates, it is worth pursuing acupuncture treatment.
How widely is acupuncture used in the United States?
In the past two decades, the use of acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had ever used acupuncture. An estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.
