Day 2

Acupuncture

Acupuncture originated in China more than 2000 years ago, and is one of the most

commonly used medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture has become well known within

the United States, since 1971. Acupuncture is the use of a very fine thin wire needle inserted into

the skin at specific sites in the body.

Research shows that acupuncture is indeed beneficial in treating a variety of health

conditions. It is becoming more and more popular within the United States and is practiced by

thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists and other practitioners for the relief or

prevention of pain and various conditions (Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2008. VitalBook file).

There are more than 2000 acupuncture points within the body that connect with 102

main, and 8 secondary pathways called meridians. According to the Chinese these meridians

conduct energy throughout the body. Acupuncture is believed to balance the yin and yang which

are known to be complementary forces within the universe. The natural flow helps harmonize the

body and to achieve and maintain health and unblocked energy. Health is restored within the

body and mind as well.

Meridians conduct energy called Qi (pronounced “chi”). The chi works like electronic

circuits that supply vital energy. A network of energetic pathways responsible for unifying the

pathways that are responsible, for unifying the body’s organs that work together as a whole.

Whenever there is a disruption in the flow of energy disease occurs.

It was estimated in 1993 by the Food and Drug Administration that Americans made up to 12

million visits per year to acupuncture practitioners, spending close to ½ billion on treatments

(Protecting and promoting your health. (n.d.).

How it works: Acupuncture works by restoring bioelectric energy and a smooth flow of QI by

inserting and manipulating fine hairlike needles at specific points along the medians. As QI is

balanced one gradually returns to optimum state of vitality health. (Vancott, L.Ac., B. (n.d.).

Does it hurt? Generally, acupuncture does not hurt. Some can feel the needles as they go in and

some feel nothing. Many times patients have sensations during treatment, which is the QI or

energy moving or opening the channels that have been blocked (Vancott, L.Ac, B. (n.d.).

What are the standards for needles? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, (FDA)

removed acupuncture needles from the category of “experimental medical devices”. The FDA

now regulates acupuncture needles, just as it does other devices under good manufacturing

practices and single use standards of sterility.

Is acupuncture safe? There are typically no side effects to acupuncture. It encourages the body

to regulate itself in a genital way rather than forcing it. (Vancott, L.Ac, B. (n.d.).).

Traditional Chinese practices like (acupuncture, herb, diet, message and directional

physical exercise), all intended to improve the flow of the Qi. Western Scientists find that

meridians are hard to find and they do not flow directly with nerve or blood circulation

pathways. Many believe that they do not exist all.

Some of the scientific controversy is over the original concepts of traditional acupuncture and

those that are not supported by good scientific evidence (Journal of Internal Medicine,

259(18002). Several plausible theories attempt to explain how acupuncture works but none are

proven beyond a doubt. (Journal of Internal Medicine, 259(1800).

Acupuncture is useful in many therapies, and interventions. Many studies have proven its

potential usefulness, and promising results have emerged in the efficacy of acupuncture within

many areas.

This chart identifies the conditions appropriate for acupuncture therapy

Conditions Appropriate for Acupuncture Therapy

Digestive 

Abdominal pain 

Constipation 

Diarrhea 

Hyperacidity 

Indigestion

Emotional

Anxiety 

Depression 

Insomnia 

Nervousness 

Neurosis

Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat

Cataracts 

Gingivitis

Poor vision

Tinnitis 

Toothache

Gynecological

Infertility 

Menopausal symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome

Miscellaneous

Addiction control 

Athletic performance

Blood pressure regulation

Musculoskeletal

Arthritis

Back pain 

Muscle cramping 

Neurological

Headaches 

Migraines 

Neurogenic 

 Respiratory

Asthma 

Bronchitis 

Common cold

Chronic fatigue 

Immune system tonification

Stress reduction

Muscle pain/weakness

Neck pain 

Sciatica

Bladder dysfunction

Parkinson's disease 

Postoperative pain

Stroke

Sinusitis 

Smoking cessation

Tonsillitis

Handout

The Twelve Major Meridians of the Body

Meridians of the body affect every organ and physiological system inside of us. They are

invisible to the human eye, yet without them we could not sustain life. In the same way that

arteries carry blood, meridians carry energy, often referred to as chi, qi or prana (Meridians are

our body’s “energy bloodstream”): they bring vitality and balance, remove energy blockages,

stagnations and imbalances, adjust metabolism and determine the speed and form of cellular

change. Their flow is as critical as the flow of blood; your life and health depend on both.

Meridians of the body affecting all major systems including: immune, nervous, endocrine,

circulatory, respiratory, digestive, skeletal, and muscular and the lymphatic system. If a

meridian’s energy is obstructed or unregulated, the system it feeds on is jeopardized, and disease

(Protecting and promoting your health. (n.d.).

These major meridians of the body are responsible for nourishing their corresponding organ and

the other organs around them, fueling and feeding them with energy. Each meridian plays a

specific and integral role in their organs health. Deficient meridian energy and excess meridian

energy are both problematic and can cause damage to that meridian’s organ system

(Protecting and promoting your health. (n.d.).

There are certain places along the meridians where energy pools, making the “Qi “or prana more

accessible there than elsewhere. These “energy hotspots” are more familiarly referred to as

acupuncture points and at these specific points energy can be manipulated by either increasing or

decreasing the flow.

When energy flowing through the meridians becomes blocked or stagnant, or, when too much

energy is overwhelming a meridian these acupuncture points can be accessed to clear blockages

and remove unwanted excess or stagnant energy.

Acupuncture and acupressure both use the same meridians and points in their healing, the

difference is that acupuncture uses needles while acupressure uses both soft and firm touches on

the points to generate the flow of energy. Qi Gong is somewhat different. Similar to acupuncture

and acupressure, Qi gong is also a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, however, Qi gong uses

breathe work, gentle movement and meditation to cleanse and strengthen the meridians and the

energy running through them.

All three techniques of cleansing and balancing the energy flow through the meridians are forms

of preventative medicine. This does not mean acupuncture, acupressure and Qi gong cannot be

used as treatments, and in fact this is quite the contrary. These are the traditional techniques used

in Chinese Medicine to cure people suffering from all types of diseases and many westerners

have begun turning to these treatments as well.

Handout

Medians of Acupuncture

Handout

The difference of opinion and scientific controversy, are such as differences of opinion that have

made acupuncture an area of scientific controversy. Several processes have been proposed to

explain acupuncture’s effects, primarily those in pain. Acupuncture points are believed to

stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals into the

muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release

other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body’s self-regulating systems. The

biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and

emotional well-being.

There are three main mechanisms under consideration:

• Conduction of electromagnetic signals: Western scientists have found evidence that

acupuncture points are strategic conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulating points along

these pathways through acupuncture enables electromagnetic signals to be relayed at a greater

rate than under normal conditions. These signals may start the flow of pain-killing biochemical,

such as endorphins, and of immune system, cells to specific sites in the body that are injured or

vulnerable to disease.

• Activation of opioid systems: Research has found that several types of opioids may be

released into the central nervous system during acupuncture treatment, thereby reducing pain.

• Changes in brain chemistry, sensation, and involuntary body functions: Studies have

shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters

and neurohormones in a positive way.

References:

Stanfield, Peggy S.. Nutrition and Diet Therapy: Self-Instructional Approaches, 5th

Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2009. VitalBook file.

Micozzi, Marc. Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 4th Edition.

W.B. Saunders Company, 2011. VitalBook file.

Seaward, Brian Luke. MANAGING STRESS 6E VITALBOOKS, 6th Edition. Jones &

Bartlett Learning, 2008. VitalBook file.

Huh Bing, L.A.,OMD, Wen. "Acupuncture." Acupuncture Center. Web. 20 July 2015.

<www.wenacupuncture.com>.

Vancott,L.Ac., B. (n.d.). Acupuncture traditional Chinese Medicine. Retrieved July 25,

2015, from brettvancottacupuncture.com/faqs.htm#three

NGyn, Kirsten. "Meridians." Natural Wellness Girl. Accessed July 26, 2015.

www.naturalwellnessgirl.com.

Journal of Internal Medicine, 259(18002). (2015). Retrieved July 26, 2015.

Protecting and promoting your health. (n.d.). Retrieved July 26, 2015.