Chinese Acupuncture

The purpose of acupuncture (Latin acus = Needle, pungere = to prick) is to achieve physical and mental wellbeing and the release of energy blockages by stimulating specific acupoints with ultra-fine needles.

The first written references can be found in 200 BC in the work of Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine) with a description of acupuncture and various heating methods and the use of different types of needles. Over the centuries the more techniques were developed by many Chinese researchers and more knowledge was gained about the indication of acupoints. Since the 16th century, acupuncture has been known and practioned in Europe and later in the United States.

Nowadays disposable and sterile needles made of stainless steel are now used. The needles vary in length (13 to 130 millimeters) and in gauge (0.16 to 0.46 millimeters) depending on the insertion area of the body. The skin area is disinfected with alcohol before the insertion. Depending on the therapist's technique, a plastic applicator is sometimes used for acupuncture accuracy. Because acupuncture needles are very thin and cut in a special way, most patients do not feel any pain. Some patients may experience some kind of Qi sensation that might be described as tingling, throbbing or jumping.

During the treatment, as few acupoints as possible are stimulated, but as many are needed. Acupuncture treatment usually lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. During this period various stimulation techniques are used to activate the acupoints, for example to rotate the needle slightly clockwise to strengthen the treatment point.

Depending on the symptoms and diagnosis, in some cases acupuncture techniques with a long-term effect are needed. Here, the practioner applies waterproof and breathable, hypoallergenic tapes to certain acupoints which are equipped with a very short needle (press needles), a magnet or a seed of the vaccaria plant. The use of tacks with seeds and magnets is especially suitable for children, as it is non-invasive and painless. The tacks can be left on the skin for several days, they provide continuous stimulation at important points and thus maintain the effect of the acupuncture treatment over time.

In addition to classical acupuncture, the following methods have been developed:

• Ear acupuncture: According to the treatment of auriculotherapy, the ear reflects all the organs and areas of the body and these are activated by ultra-fine needles depending on the symptoms.

• Skalp acupuncture: The surface of the skull is divided into certain areas associated with body organs and meridians. The most important areas of application include pain and blockages in the skeletal system, muscles and motor skills, symptoms of paralysis, neurological diseases and tinnitus.

• Electro-acupuncture: Here the needles are attached to an electronical device, especially designed for this treatment method. The device sends an electric current at the intensity and pulses previously set and thus can amplify the effect of acupuncture.

• Laser acupuncture: The treatment points are stimulated by the light of a laser device.

In 2003 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a meta-analysis on the effective application of acupuncture as a therapeutic method for a wide range of diseases. In this article the WHO recommends acupuncture for 28 diseases in which acupunctures has shown to have an effective therapeutic effect in controlled clinical trials. These include neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, morning sickness, induction of labor, kidney abdominal pain, stroke, high blood pressure, headaches, hay fever, depression, etc. Furthermore, there are 60 other diseases in which acupuncture has a clear therapeutic effect, but further studies are needed.