Your health: Acupuncture’s benefits

Sticking points

The ancient art of acupuncture has been practiced for centuries in Asia, and has more recently spread to the United States and other Western countries. Acupuncture has been used to treat most pain conditions, including low back pain, shingles and other nerve pain, hand and knee pain, headache, fibromyalgia and menstrual pain.

There are various forms of acupuncture. The Harvard Medical School newsletter notes that during Chinese acupuncture, the acupuncturist may turn or twirl the needles slightly or apply heat or electrical stimulation to enhance the effects. An herb called mugwort also might be applied to the needle tips to further stimulate the designated acupoints; this is called moxibustion.

A Japanese form of acupuncture involves more shallow needle insertion than Chinese acupuncture and needles usually are not manipulated. Korean acupuncture focuses on needling points just in the hands and feet. Acupressure, on the other hand, does not involve the insertion of needles, but substitutes deep pressure, usually with a finger or thumb, at acupressure points.

If you decide to try acupuncture, it is crucial to seek out an experienced acupuncturist. Licensing requirements vary from state to state.

Tending those toes

Your feet can take a beating carrying you where you need to go. In “Pedi-Cures” in the may issue of Fitness, Paige Greenfield describes some common foot problems and how to deal with them. If you have sweaty feet, which can make you prone to infections, wash your feet often — don’t neglect the spaces between your toes — and invest in sweat-wicking socks.

Hammertoes and bunions are genetic and often require surgery, but using shoes that fit well can help ease the pain. Tendinitis and stress fractures are especially common among athletes, but many others experience these painful conditions.

What to do? Warm up before exercising, take calcium and vitamin D supplements, and ice after training. For heel pain, invest in cushioned shoe inserts. And finally, Greenfield says, if the pain persists, don’t push through it; consult a podiatrist instead.