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Acupuncture and Acupressure are ancient Chinese form of medicine that go back more than thousand year. Both aim to balance the chi or flow of energy by working with points located long the body’s energy channels know as meridians.  The first record of Acupuncture is found in the 4,700 year old Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine).

This is said to be the oldest medical textbook in the world. It is said to have been written down from even earlier theories by Shen Nung, the father of Chinese Medicine. Shen Nung documented theories about circulation, pulse, and the heart over 4,000 years before European medicine had any concept about them.

Acording to ancient Chines wisdom, we are all part of the universe and share in its energy. As the basis of Acupuncture, Shen Nung theorized that the body had an energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as  Chi.   Chi surrounds everything and acts as the driving force for life. A body with no circulating chi is dead. At death body’s chi is said to recirculation with the external (environment) energy.

The Chi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang.

Ying and Yang can be thought of as positive and negative, they need each other to exist and although they act in opposite ways they are interdependent with each other.

The Chinese symbolized yin and yang with the physical element they experienced in everyday life. Yin represented water while yang was seen as a fire element. Our body contain both yin and yang in varying amounts and balance is needed for health.

The different between Acupuncture and Acupressure

An acupuncture uses fine needles that are inserted into acupuncture or energy points to balance energy flow and influence internal organs and disease states.

An acupressure practitioner does not use needles, but will apply pressure to the same points to encourage the body to return to healthy state.

Acupuncture bears no resemblance to the feeling of receiving an injection, since the main source of pain from injections is the larger diameter, hollow needle and the medication being forced into the tissue by pressure. Acupuncture needles are very fine and flexible, about the diameter of a human hair. In most cases, insertion by a skilled practitioner is performed without discomfort. You may experience a sense of heaviness or electricity in the area of insertion. Most patients find the treatments very relaxing and many fall asleep during treatment. In some cases, your practitioner may also recommend herbs or dietary, exercise or lifestyle changes.

What conditions do acupuncturists treat?

Acupuncturists treat many conditions affecting your health. These include, butare not limited to, low back pain,sprains and strains, nausea, headaches, chronic pain and certain neurologicdisorders manifesting in symptoms likenumbness and tingling. Your acupuncturist or primary care physician will be ableto advise you of the choices oftreatment available for your specific condition.

What kind of training and license do acupuncturists have?

Acupuncturists have been licensed in the United States since 1973. Althoughinitially only three states grantedlicensure, today over 39 states do. Acupuncturists must complete a minimum ofthree to four years of acupuncturecollege training at the Master of Science level, and successfully pass written andclinical examinations. Somestates accept the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncture andOriental Medicine (NCCAOM) exam,which has a written and clinical section. In addition, some states require thatcontinuing education be completed to maintain licensure.

What should I know about the proposed treatments?

After reviewing your medical history, performing an examination, and developinga working diagnosis, youracupuncturist will explain the nature of your condition and his or herrecommended treatment plan. The benefitsand potential risks of this treatment plan will be explained to you as well asother treatment options as applicable.How many treatments will I need?Depending on the duration, severity and nature of your complaint, the numberand frequency of treatments mayvary. You may need only one treatment or a series of treatments for morechronic conditions. A typical acupuncturesession lasts 30 – 60 minutes. You may be informed that some conditionsrequire coordinated care with other specialistsand/or your primary care physician.

What measures are taken to require that the needles are clean and safe?

American Specialty Health acupuncturists use only sterile, individually packaged needles that are disposed of afterone use, and follow clinically-accepted “Clean Needle Technique” standards.

How deep are the needles inserted, and do they hurt?

The needle depth varies with the location of the acupuncture point selected,your size, age and body type. In general,needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth.Your treatment should not be painful. However, you may feel a dull ache,heaviness, tingling or electric sensationaround the needle or even above or below the involved meridian. This temporarysensation is called “de qi.” If atany time during the treatment you feel a sensation that is intolerable, tell youracupuncturist immediately, and he orshe will modify your treatment appropriately.


How should I prepare for an acupuncture treatment?

You should be prepared to be comfortable and relaxed for the duration of thetreatment. Your acupuncturist maychoose various points on your arms, legs, back, or abdomen, so wear loose-fitting clothes, and avoid wearing jewelry,one-piece dresses or tight stockings. Since acupuncture affects your circulation,you will get the most out of atreatment by avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, coffee, or other caffeinatedbeverages, or participating in rigorousexercise, for about an hour before and after your treatment.

What can I expect after treatment?

Patients often experience dramatic results after their first treatment. In a fewcases, there may be no immediaterelief, but many notice their condition gradually improving over a course oftreatment. Occasionally a small drop ofblood or local bruise may appear at one or more acupuncture needle points afterthe needles are removed. Thetiny drop of blood easily wipes off, while the bruise usually disappears within afew days. If you experience anylong-term swelling, bleeding or redness, notify your acupuncturist immediately. Ifyou have any questions or areuncomfortable with any part of your treatment, please talk to youracupuncturist.

What about medications I may be taking?

Be sure to tell your acupuncturist about any over-the-counter or prescribed medications, herbs or vitamins you maybe taking. These medications or supplements will not interfere with your acupuncture treatments. Do not stop takingprescribed medications without the direction of your primary care physician.The information provided in this article is not intended to be a substitute forprofessional medical advice or healthcare. Always seek the advice of your physician before beginning any newtreatment or fitness program or if youhave questions regarding a medical condition.

Recommended Book to Read

 A Manual of Acupuncture (Hardcover)
by Peter Deadman, Kevin Baker, Mazin Al-Khafaji

The book is essentially a description of each and every one of the 360 or so primary acupuncture points of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There is a good bit of material about methodology of point selection, but the real gem of this book is the intelligent and thorough descriptions of the points, their properties, and how to locate, needle them and what the consequences of inappropriate insertion could be.

There are charts which show major points per anatomical region (which are actually legible and understandable), indexes aplenty: pinyin and chinese point names, english point names, and a particularly interesting point indications index. There is also a Glossary of the Wisemanese-seeming terminology used by the authors, which although similar to that of A Practical Dictionary, is not exactly the same.