If You Fear Acupuncture, You May Be Missing the Point

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First, a Little History

As a practice in the US, acupuncture was “introduced” around the year 1974, although by then, the Chinese had been practicing it for over 2500 years.

Because it’s relatively new in America, it tends to hold a somewhat mysterious aura and, until some insurance companies began to cover it for certain conditions, it may have lacked credibility. But acupuncture is here to stay and it has proven effective for millions of patients.

Acupuncture Stats

The WHO (World Health Organization) states that people in over 100 countries have adopted acupuncture as a regular procedure. Applied largely for neck, back, and joint pain, headaches, and arthritis, acupuncture usage more than doubled in the US from 2002 to 2022. 

Recent studies revealed the possibility that acupuncture can affect nervous system function. Scientists believe it may also affect connective tissue.

How to Know If You’re a Candidate

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, and it is still considered to be a complementary therapy. People with a phobia about needles, for instance, won’t dare approach it, and the results are not guaranteed. But for those who achieve relief from their condition by consulting with an acupuncturist, this drug-free remedy can be a godsend.

Acupuncture Stories

• I once worked with a man who would experience such severe back pain that he would periodically have to lie down on his office floor until his pain reliever took effect, after which he would head directly to the acupuncture clinic for longer and stronger relief without medication.
• When I worked with cancer patients as a radiation therapy technologist, some of them swore by acupuncture as a method of relieving some of the side effects of their chemotherapy, such as nausea.
• I have endured several painful dental procedures, and I remember sharing about a particularly agonizing crown buildup with one of my coworkers. The worst part of it was what I described as getting stabbed in the gums with a razor and then stung by a bee, although the needle being used was intended to deliver the medicine that numbed pain!
• My coworker said she had undergone a few crown procedures, but the dentist never administered Novocaine. I thought she must have been as stoic as a ninja, but she told me that getting acupuncture needles before the procedures made her visits virtually painless.

I was stunned. Before then, I never knew they used acupuncture at the dentist’s office, and the staff never offered it as an alternative anesthetic.

What’s the Theory Behind It?

Acupuncture methods stem from Chinese medicine concepts that include meridians, or specific pathways in the body where qi (often spelled chi, the vital energy force for mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health) flows. 

Clearing blockages along those paths can help relieve symptoms and restore or maintain health. Some points along those meridians are what I use when I conduct different types of tapping meditations to relieve stress and promote relaxation.

What Do Yin and Yang Have to Do With It?

The terms yin and yang have become part of the US vernacular, but few people understand how vital these concepts are in Chinese medical practice. The National Institutes of Health explains that Chinese medicine considers an imbalance between yin and yang to be the root of illness. Yin is the negative, dark, and feminine force, whereas yang is the positive, bright, and masculine one.

Why Choose Acupuncture Over Traditional Treatment?

Chinese medicine is very different from Western medicine—so different that doctors who are not specifically trained in its methods have trouble understanding it. This is not a criticism. Both Eastern and Western medical approaches have documented proof of success in treating certain ailments. That’s why some doctors combine the two.

Loosely interpreted, Chinese medicine tends to focus on preventing illness by slow, careful health cultivation (much like trimming a Bonsai tree), whereas Western medicine focuses on observing, identifying, and treating illness symptoms as they arise.

What Happens During Treatment?

No, acupuncture will not turn you into a porcupine.

There are numerous methods, but during a typical procedure, very thin, carefully placed needles are either manipulated by deft fingers or stimulated by small electrical currents at specific points along the energy pathways. The latter is sometimes referred to as electroacupuncture.

Naysayers insist that acupuncture offers only a placebo effect. In other words, a patient who truly believes in the effectiveness of the session will experience relief because of that. However, the documentation shows that, in some cases, acupuncture does bring relief.

But How Much Does It Hurt?

Most patients feel either very little pain or nothing more than light pressure when the needles are inserted. The sessions last approximately 60-90 minutes, and that includes time spent answering the practitioner’s questions about your symptoms and concerns.

Who Administers the Treatment?

Acupuncture should be performed by a board-certified or licensed doctor or dentist who has completed a training program equivalent to at least 200 hours and 100 hours of supervised experience, according to webmd.com. Most states require a state license, and some require a federal license.

So if you are in pain—whether it’s chronic or intermittent—and traditional meds do little or nothing to bring you relief, consider obtaining a referral to an acupuncturist. You’ll have to check, but many insurance policies cover the treatments. 

If you try it, you will have little to lose and a lot to gain. Just verify the practitioner’s qualifications first.

Summary

• Acupuncture, with over 2500 years of history in Chinese medicine, is now widely accepted and covered by some insurance policies for conditions like pain relief, headaches, and arthritis.
• Recent studies suggest acupuncture may impact the nervous system and connective tissue. While not for everyone, it offers significant relief for many, including cancer patients and those seeking alternatives to traditional anesthetics.
• Acupuncture balances the body's qi (vital energy) along pathways called meridians, using thin needles that cause minimal discomfort. Treatments should be administered by certified professionals. 
• Verify the acupuncturist's qualifications and check if your insurance covers the treatment. For those with chronic or intermittent pain unrelieved by conventional medicine, acupuncture could be a valuable alternative. 

Stay Healthy, Happy, and Satisfied!

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