The father of Chinese medicine, Shen Nung, is thought to be the first person to have theorized about circulation in the human body. These theories were compiled approximately 5000 years ago, and led to the development of acupuncture.

Shen Nung developed the idea of the Qi, an energy force that flows through the human body. This energy travels through channels called Meridians which run all through the body. The theory is that when the Qi is not flowing correctly, the human body experiences illness. This incorrect flow can be caused by blocked Meridians which causes unbalanced Qi. In order to reestablish the flow of Qi, certain points of the body where the Meridians contact the surface of the skin must be manipulated. These points are accessed through the insertion of needles into the skin, a practice known as acupuncture.

The History of Acupuncture is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

While acupuncture may seem almost barbaric to Western observers, it is in fact more firmly established and much older than any of the Western style medical treatments available today. This 5000 year old medical procedure has had a lot more development and study than any of the most trusted medical treatments in existence.

There are six commonly used types of acupuncture needles. Each of these types varies in size and shape; some have wider shafts, some have differently shaped heads. The needles are inserted at different angles to the skin surface; the different angles produce different effects in the body. The practitioner then applies a special technique to the needle: rotation, raising and thrusting, a combination of these two techniques, or vibration. Like the type of needle, insertion point and angle of insertion, the type of technique used depends on the desired effect.

Poking and Prodding: The Practice of Acupuncture is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Acupuncture charts are tools used by acupuncturists to tell them where they should treat a patient. These charts are effective, hands on and easily accessible, which will give instant access to more information. Patients that come in can also learn from using these charts. By implementing a series of acupuncture charts, patients can learn what is happening and why, helping them to see the real benefits of including acupuncture in their daily lives.
There are many types of acupuncture charts available today. For example, an acupuncture meridians chart will point out where the 12 main acupuncture meridians are located. It may also explain the anatomical area effectively. Another type of chart can convey the various acupuncture formulas used. Since there are over 100 of these in Chinese acupuncture, having an easy tool to access this information is helpful. These charts will contain the formulas as well as help for commonly treated conditions with them.
For those that want to learn more, consider acupuncture charts that outline information through TCM and Meridian charts. Here, traditional Chinese medicine is explored on the charts, outlining much of the information you need. They sometimes include information on the five element theory, too. Pulse diagnosis, headache treatment and tongue diagnosis information may also be included. These useful tools help to explain the in depth acupuncture methods to both the user and the receiver!
Sometimes it can be helpful to have micro system charts. These will outline the very minute details that are so important such as the Chinese ear acupuncture chart which will outline all the details of the ear alone, in detail. Other similar acupuncture charts including auriculotherapy charts, Korean hand acupuncture and even addiction charts outlining the steps of treating a variety of conditions correctly.
When you visit any health center with these displayed, you will find that they are mainly used as reference materials. Skilled and experienced acupuncturists will not need to reference them. In many ways, they can serve as a tool for educating you, the patient. This way, they can thoroughly explain what needs to be done and how it will help you. Otherwise, explaining these things to the individual can be difficult to do and even overwhelming. Seeing a picture can help to bring home the message in a clearer form.
When purchasing acupuncture charts be sure to get those that are most modern. They should also include details clearly. Purchase from a trusted provider so that you are sure you are getting high quality every time. In most cases, these charts will be used over and over again for educational benefits.

Acupuncture Charts Give Valuable Information is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

With different diseases in the world today, especially those caused by needles that are unclean, the safety of acupuncture needles is of concern to many people. Fortunately in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines on acupuncture needles such as the requirement they be sterile and used only one time. Of course, in spite of these safety mechanisms that are in place, some people will still be fearful at the thoughts of any kind of needles including acupuncture needles. Making certain to choose an experienced practitioner can allay some of those fears.

In addition to sterile needles, a patient may fear pain from the acupuncture needles. A search of various types of acupuncture needles shows the existence of even painless ones. In addition to painless needles easing the stress level of the patient, the acupuncturist can avoid the possibility of an automatic reflex from the patient upon insertion of the needles. Painless acupuncture needles allows the patient more comfort during the procedure, thus creating a lower stress level that will allow the procedure to work more effectively.

The success level of any procedure is enhanced by the patients ability to relax. The endurance of painful acupuncture needles does not allow the relaxation of the patient, and therefore may not afford the same level of success as a painless needle. Certainly this differs from patient to patient, but when you have someone who already fears needles, you are not going to help him or her by inflicting pain that is avoidable. For some people the pain of the acupuncture needles is less than the pain from which they seek relief, and thus they consider it worth it; for others, they are not seeking relief from pain by enduring more pain.

When you are searching for an acupuncture practitioner, and you have a problem with painful needles, you can ask about using painless needles. Depending on the practitioner, he may not have them in his office but may be willing to order them for you. On the other hand, you may be able to choose a practitioner who uses nothing but painless acupuncture needles in order to assure the comfort of his patients. While acupuncture used to be a procedure that patients expected to be painful, new technology makes pain the exception rather than the rule.

In addition to the pain from acupuncture needles, some people may fear infection from unclean needles. Visiting the office of the practitioner before treatment will allow a patient to ease his fears and show him or her that the practitioner has a clean office and invests in sanitary, disposable acupuncture needles. Showing a patient that he has concerns for the safety and well-being of his patients will ease the fears and tension of those patients he treats. Without the tension or fear, a patient will respond better to treatment.

Safety of Acupuncture Needles is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Using an acupuncture physicians directory, you can pinpoint the various providers of acupuncture, or acupuncturists in your area. Today, larger cities will have many professionals that can provide acupuncture to you. In smaller locations, you too can often find at least one provider not too far away. The reason for this is quite simply because acupuncture has made an incredible comeback. Most will find more than one person to select from the acupuncture physicians directory.
Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing that has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese. This medicine treatment was used for many years by Chinese medicine men. Over time, the method did die out, or was used much less in favor of western medicines. In the last two decades acupuncture has gained back much of what it lost. While it should not be used as your sole method of treating a condition, it is often paired as a complimentary treatment with western medicine to make it more effective in treating the condition. When you use this type of alternative treatment, you are using many of the same techniques used from this ancient medicine.
In any acupuncture physicians directory, you are sure to find a number of different professionals to help you. Some have combined their services with others that offer alternative treatment. For example, it can be common to see an acupuncturist working alongside a professional providing herbal remedies and treatments for pain. It is common for alternative treatments and other eastern medicine and treatments to be found in the same practice.
In order to choose a physician from the acupuncture physicians directory, you should spend some time learning as much as you can about that physician. One thing to look for is their education in this method of healing. Most will be certified in acupuncture. You may see that they are board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This means that they have gone through a specific program providing them with the necessary knowledge to treat your condition using these methods.
When selecting an acupuncturist from an acupuncture physicians directory, learn about their successes as well as the types of acupuncture that they use in patients. Finding someone that you enjoy being with can be an important part of the process. Additionally, always ask questions so that you know who you are working with and can believe in the techniques that they use. In most cases of acupuncture, improvement of pain is evident when patients choose quality providers for their care.

Acupuncture Physicians Directory: Finding The Best Provider is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

An acupuncture point is the location on the body that is targeted by the acupuncturist. In this Chinese medicine and alternative treatment, tiny needles are placed into the skin at these points. In doing so, it is believed that they can restore the normal flow of qi, or the energy force within the body to its normal state. When that happens, the body can heal and overcome the ailments that it is currently facing.
The term for an acupuncture point is acupoints. It can also be used in similar, though different types of acupuncture including acupressure, sonopuncture, and laser treatments that are now available. In the study of acupuncture, it is believed that the body is connected through various points. These connected points are referred to as meridians. Each meridian can be targeted to a specific organ or area of the body. Other acupuncture point locations are found throughout the body that is not connected to meridians.
When you visit an acupuncturist, or a professional who performs this type of alternative treatment, the first step is to assess your condition by giving you a thorough exam. During this process, they will determine where the potential problems are. Based on their study of your body as well as the specifics of this type of treatment, they can determine the best acupuncture point or points to place needles. In this treatment, needles are placed on the appropriate meridian to trigger the specific condition needing to be treated. In most cases, several locations will be targeted at one time.
An acupuncturist will know the proper acupuncture point based on his or her experience as well as training in this treatment. The locations of these treatments are done the same from one person to the next.
There are also various categories of points throughout the body. For example, there are the Five Transporting acupuncture points. In this category, the qi flows much like a river through the body. In this method, there are several types of treatment administered, each associated with these points. The five methods are called Jing well, Ying spring, Shu stream, Jing River and He sea.
When you visit an acupuncture location, take notice of any charts that they may have on the walls. These are a great reference to learn where the best acupuncture point to treat your condition is located. Yet, also realize that only after the acupuncturist performs an assessment of the body can he assign the proper treatment. You can often ask questions to learn why one area is located over the others.

Acupuncture Point: The Right Place Matters is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Before you begin any acupuncture, you need to know the location of acupuncture points and understand the functions they serve. In short, acupuncture points or acupoints as they are also called are body locations that are the focus of acupuncture treatments. You will find several hundred acupuncture points within connected points across the body. These areas are called meridian and affect specific organs or other parts of the human body. In addition you will find many other areas that include points not connected to any specific meridian. The majority of current research into locations of acupuncture points is being conducted in China using methods based on theory that existed before any scientific methods were developed. These theories have been criticized because of their lack of scientifically based thought processes.

The theory behind choosing acupuncture points may be confusing to those who are new to the treatment because of the fact these acupoints may not be in the area where the symptoms are occurring. The theory within Traditional Chinese medicine is to choose points through stimulation of the meridian system in order to bring relief. This requires balancing yin, yang and qi, a theory that does not exist within traditional Western medicine. The location of acupuncture points is based upon anatomical landmarks that the practitioner can touch or feel. The World Health Organization recognizes almost 400 basic acupoints; however, many of these are rarely used while others are of more value in treating health conditions.

Whether scientifically proven in theory or not, acupuncture points are used in the administration of acupuncture and have been for thousands of years. Similarities in the thinking of scientists exist in much the same way they discount natural health remedies. Treatments our grandparents and great grandparents used for years with great success are not dismissed by medical science because it can not be scientifically proven. The fact that modern medicine is now beginning to see the use of chicken soup as having medical benefits shows how ineffective scientific theory can be. Such may be the case with TCM at some point in the future.

Those who choose to try acupuncture should first understand the theory behind using acupuncture points in order to have a clearer understanding of the procedure. Going to an acupuncture practitioner without having knowledge of the process and theory behind it would be like going to a surgeon and not knowing what is going to happen in the operating room. You need to understand why the practitioner has chosen the specific acupuncture points for your treatment and what you should expect after the treatment is complete. Conduct some research and ask some questions before you agree to any treatment invoked within the field of alternative medicine.

Understanding Acupuncture Points is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Acupuncture pressure points are located throughout the body. These are very small areas of the body that will react to stimulations. In the study of acupuncture, it is believed that a life force or life energy called qi flows through the body. When you become ill, face pain or just are not feeling well, this is because the natural flow of qi through the body has been challenged, changed or otherwise broken. In order to restore health to your body, you must remove the ailment and restore the flow. Acupuncture points, acupoints are often used to attain this goal.
Acupuncture pressure points are specific and can not be used randomly. Rather, the science behind them dates back some 3000 years to ancient Chinese medicine and teachings. These points are used in many types of acupuncture including in laser acupuncture, sonopuncture, and even acupressure, each offering a different take on the way that the procedure is done.
In your body there are hundreds of acupuncture points located. These points are located on meridians. Meridians are actually connected points that run across the body and will correlate with specific organs or parts of the body. In addition to these meridian based points, acupuncture pressure points are located around the body otherwise. When you visit an acupuncturist, they will target the appropriate acupuncture pressure points, as based on the area of your body that needs help.
With the proper method of stimulation, acupuncture pressure points help to restore the flow of qi through your body, helping you to overcome the illness or condition that you are facing. Acupuncturists are trained to know how to find these points as well as what benefit they will have when stimulated. For example, if you have a headache, it is necessary to stimulate the right pressure points in order to relieve the pain felt in your head. But, that does not mean that the acupuncture pressure points used will be in your head. Since qi flows in a never ending path through the body, finding the specific stimulation points is necessary though they may be located on the opposite side of the body.
There are many categories of acupuncture pressure points. The categories help to show the ways that acupuncture can be used. One of the most commonly used methods is the Five Transporting Point System. Others include the Five Points Phases, Xi-Cleft, Back-shu, Lou-connecting and many others. Professionals use these categories to give them an idea of how to treat the condition as well as what method to use that will be most beneficial.

Acupuncture Pressure Points: How Do They Help? is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

Acupuncture today is considered one of many traditional Chinese treatments that are effective at treating a number of health conditions. There is no doubt that there are many types of medical treatments available today for those that are suffering from health ailments. You may be struggling with something but frustrated with western medicine. Many that are will turn to alternative treatments including acupuncture. The good news is this is more and more becoming an effective tool at helping people to improve health and well being.
Acupuncture today is a lot like it used to be well back in ancient times. It has been used for thousands of years by Chinese doctors to treat many ailments. While the treatment did die out for many years and was not practiced often, acupuncture today is back. People still use many of the same techniques that were used many years ago by ancient people, including the same locations for needles. While many things have improved, including the overall understanding of the techniques used, these traditional methods of acupuncture have worked to help millions to feel better in one form or another.
Acupuncture today is much like it used to be. It still involves the use of very thin needles placed into the skin’s layers for relief from many types of pain. Many of the same formulas and procedures are the same as the used to be many years ago, though. Today, you are likely to see improvements in the overall cleanliness and expertise of acupuncturists especially those that have been trained in more modern methods.
When you visit an acupuncturist, they will follow a set procedure, though each one will have some differences. Most will start with an exam of the individual and then an assessment to determine the current condition of the individual as well as the most effective methods of treating them with acupuncture. Today, you can count on the ability to ask questions to learn more about this procedure and the methods that are used. Usually, you will spend about thirty minutes in the session to fully become cared for.
Acupuncture today is a process that involves understanding the whole you. They will want to know what’s happening within your life and how the pain feels during various times. More so, no acupuncturist will tell you to stop taking your doctor recommended medications in lieu of this procedure. The fact is, acupuncture works well along side these treatments so that they are more effective at providing you with the relief you are seeking. Together, you can see improvements in your health.

Acupuncture Today: What’s It Like? is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide

If you enjoy acupuncture weight loss may be one of the benefits you can receive from this treatment. Many of today’s top acupuncture professionals will tell you that you can achieve improved health in many ways by using acupuncture. Weight loss may not be the only benefit to you, of course, but for those that want to lose some weight and have struggled to do so in other ways, this may be an option available to them.
One of the most important things to remember about acupuncture is that it will work in conjunction to other treatments. When it comes to acupuncture, weight loss is more effective when the acupuncture treatments are done alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. You will need to improve your diet by eating healthy foods including less saturated fat, whole grains and more vegetables. Compliment your treatment with a good exercise regimen that encourages you to work out at least 20 minutes per day.
With that said, you may be wondering what it will do to help you to drop the pounds. In acupuncture, weight loss is achieved through healthy diet and exercise, but is helped by the acupuncture process itself. It will help by increasing your resilience. It also is an effective way to manage food cravings. More so, acupuncture will also help your body to respond better to the improved diet you are giving it. In other words, acupuncture helps make diet and exercise more effective.
How can you effectively lose weight then with acupuncture? Here are some guidelines to follow.
Improve your diet by removing saturated fats from it. Replace them with healthier fats.
Eat less red meat and more lean meats including fish. This will improve your overall diet considerably.
Go outside for a walk each day. Then, increase this to a run each day. Improving the amount of exercise you get each day will help you to lose weight considerably.
Improve your overall health by cutting calories. Eat foods that are lower in calories. Also, reduce your portion sizes, which also will help you to lose weight.
Doing these things will help you to lose weight. When you add in acupuncture, weight loss is more effective. See your acupuncturist as often as they recommend. Talk to them about your goals of losing weight through this method. Many will provide you with recommendations on how to accomplish this goal. Most importantly, work at it step by step so that you can see improvements as you go. With acupuncture, weight loss is more effective and long lasting.

Acupuncture Weight Loss Help is a post from: Alternative Medicine Guide