Acupuncture – is it worth trying?

It has been practiced for over two thousand years and comes from China. It is one of the pillars of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been gaining increasing popularity in the Western Hemisphere for several decades, especially since the 1970s, and those who use acupuncture swear by its effectiveness. Some say that it helps with various ailments because it regulates the flow of energy . Others explain its effects by believing that it has a neurological effect . Some people believe that it has a placebo-like effect , although research shows that this is not true ¹ .

How does acupuncture work?

According to the assumptions of traditional Chinese medicine, our health depends on energy balance - we get sick when the balance in the flow of QI energy is disturbed. Needling the body at specific points - there are 361 of them - at the appropriate depth, along with appropriate stimulation, is intended to restore this balance. 361 points used by acupuncture specialists are located on the so-called meridians – these are the paths through which energy flows. A 2017 study shows that 361 points that acupuncturists puncture are located in the same places as sensory neurons , and their stimulation causes various processes in the body. ² .

What health effects does acupuncture have?

The touch of a needle inserted to the appropriate depth may affect the sensation of pain and may also improve circulation . A 2018 study shows that the use of acupuncture brings relief to patients who experience chronic pain ³ .

Ailments for which acupuncture is helpful include allergies, depressive and anxiety disorders, hypertension, migraines, arthritis, sciatica, headaches, neck and back pain - the list is much longer. Some research suggests that acupuncture may be helpful in anti-cancer therapy ⁴ and treatment of multiple sclerosis ⁵ , but this research is not extensive and certainly needs to be deepened.

In turn, the study, which involved almost 6.5 thousand participants found that the beneficial effects of acupuncture on ailments such as headaches, back pain, neck pain and arthritis lasted for a year ⁶ . Those who regularly use acupuncture say that it has a very positive effect on their mood and overall well-being . It adds energy, improves sleep quality and helps overcome low mood.

Does acupuncture hurt?

Acupuncture doesn't hurt. The needles are very thin, and an experienced therapist (acupuncture therapy is worth using with such a person) inserts them quickly and reliably. It happens that pain is felt, a kind of "current" passing through the body. It takes a fraction of a second, but it is not a pleasant experience. However, it has nothing to do with the sensations and pain we experience when, for example, blood is taken. It may happen that even a properly inserted needle will cause a small subcutaneous hemorrhage , bruise or bleeding. It is worth remembering that the needles must be sterile - in good offices, the specialist opens a new package of needles for each procedure.

Bibliography:

1. Yvette Brazier, “How does acupuncture work?”, April 4, 2022, Medical News Today, medicalnewstoday.com.
2. Salvador Quiroz-González, Sergio Torres-Castillo, Rosa Estela López-Gómez, Ismael Jiménez Estrada, Acupuncture Points and Their Relationship with Multireceptive Fields of Neurons, Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2017.
3. Yvette Brazier, op.cit.
4. Garcia MK, Cohen L, Spano M, et al. Inpatient Acupuncture at a Major Cancer Center. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2018;17(1):148-152. doi:10.1177/1534735416685403.
5. Becker H, Stuifbergen AK, Schnyer RN, Morrison JD, Henneghan A. Integrating Acupuncture Within a Wellness Intervention for Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Feasibility Study. Journal of Holistic Nursing. 2017;35(1):86-96. doi:10.1177/0898010116644833.
6. Acupuncture: What You Need To Know, National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health, October 2022, nccih.nih.gov.