Acupuncture seeks to stimulate healing within body
Acupuncture is one component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that dates back more than 5,000 years.
An acupuncturist inserts thin metal needles through the skin, which stimulates healing by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the targeted area. Needles range from a half-inch long used in the head area to 5 inches for more fleshy parts of the body.
TCM basics
Traditional Chinese Medicine is used to treat a variety of ailments, including vertigo, migraines, infertility, joint pain, depression, obesity and depression.
TCM is different from Western medicine in that practitioners are focused on helping the body heal itself. TCM teaches that emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health are all interconnected and good health is an ongoing process of maintaining balance and harmony on all levels. A person's life force, called chi, circulates through the body along meridians.
There are 12 main meridians in the body: lung, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, bladder, gallbladder, liver, kidney, pericardium and triple warmer (which divides the body into upper, middle and lower parts).
For example, the liver meridian, starts in the midsection and runs down to your toes. Its main job is to keep energy to the body regulated so an acupuncturist might target this line if you're feeing sluggish.
As part of their evaluation, TCM practitioners examine the tongue and check the pulse along the meridians, in addition to smelling, touching and interviewing patients. Rather than prescribing a medicine to fix a problem, TCM tries to get the body to function as originally designed and heal itself.
Other aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine include herbal remedies, cupping and massage that also increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the targeted area. In cupping, a heated cup is applied to the skin to create a slight suction, stimulating blood and oxygen flow to the area, much like acupuncture.
Regulation
Acupuncture is considered safe and effective if practiced correctly so you should find a licensed practitioner. The FDA estimates there are between 9 million and 12 million patients being treated with acupuncture.
Ÿ The FDA regulates TCM herbal remedies as dietary supplements, which are not held to the same stringent standards as prescription medicines. It is important to obtain herbal remedies under the direction of a TCM practitioner.
Ÿ Illinois requires acupuncturists be licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Ÿ On a federal level, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine offers separate certification programs in acupuncture, Chinese herbology and Oriental bodywork. The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine accredits schools that teach acupuncture and TCM.
Where to get more information on acupuncture
Illinois Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: http://www.ilaaom.org/
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: http://www.nccaom.org/
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: http://www.aaaomonline.org/