Acupuncture is defined as: the use of very fine needles to insert them into specific and important points through the skin, and this method is one of the most important parts of Chinese medicine that is used to treat pain; Chinese medicine interprets acupuncture as a method that restores the balance of energy or the so-called life force that runs through pathways in the body when these needles are inserted into specific areas in those pathways.
As for the interpretation adopted by Western physicians, it is considered as a way to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues, as this stimulation increases blood flow and the production of natural pain-relieving substances.
Acupuncture treatment uses
Although there is not enough scientific evidence for the use of acupuncture treatment in some cases, therapists specialized in this method use it to treat many and a variety of diseases and health conditions, including cases of the musculoskeletal system, and this method can be used according to different recommendations in the following cases:
Chronic tension headache. sister.
Chronic pain such as neck pain.
Arthritis .
toothache .
Pain that occurs after surgery.
How to perform acupuncture treatment
The number of sessions and times of acupuncture treatment varies, and it can reach up to ten sessions, but what matters in the first session is to assess the patient’s health status, his medical history, and physically examine him, then can start inserting needles, and the first session often lasts for a period of time. Ranging from twenty to forty minutes.
The treatment begins with the patient sitting or lying down in preparation for starting the insertion of needles at these points. Then the needles are inserted only in the subcutaneous area, or they may be inserted into the muscle tissue, and the patient may feel slight numbness when inserted, but they should not cause great pain; It should be reported to the therapist as soon as you feel significant pain.
Then the needles are left in the place where they were inserted for a period ranging from a few minutes to thirty minutes, and in some cases the therapist can run the needles or stimulate them using a weak electric current, and in this case it is called electric acupuncture. It should be noted that the needles used must be sterile, be several centimeters long, and be used only once; It must be destroyed immediately after use.
Safety in acupuncture treatment
It is important to inform the physician responsible for the patient’s use of acupuncture, and although acupuncture is considered safe if it is performed by a licensed therapist, it is important to check the safety of the method and ask the therapist about it. It is necessary to look at the certified therapist’s certificate; It indicates that he has obtained a certain degree of training and that he keeps following the rules of work, such as getting rid of needles as soon as they are used. In rare cases, some problems may occur after acupuncture treatment, including inflammation due to non-sterilization of needles, so it is very necessary to make sure to use a new and sterile set of needles in each treatment session.
Acupuncture side effects
Some simple and short-term side effects may occur in some cases, and these symptoms include: Bleeding or bruising in the area where the needle is inserted into the skin. Feeling weak and dizzy. Feeling sick and pale. Pre-existing symptoms worsen.
Challenges Facing Acupuncture Studies
The current studies carried out by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health) aim to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in treating some types of pain and some health conditions, and to know the extent of the body’s response to it; Where studies are looking at the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in reducing menopausal hot flashes, and its ability to relieve pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy, and comparing acupuncture treatment with pseudo-acupuncture –
