Acupuncture Essay

491 Words2 Pages
History Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that treats illness and provides local anesthesia by the insertion of needles at predetermined sites of the body. Acupuncture may also follow many other forms. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin word acus, meaning needle, and pungere, meaning puncture. The practice, which originates from China and Asia, made its way to the west. As other countries adopted this practice, different styles have developed due to various geographic aspects. Acupuncture traces back about 2,000 years but, according to some authorities, China used it for more than double that amount of time. Health is achieved though the balance of the opposing forces between "yin" (spirit), and "yang" (blood). The attraction between them creates an energy called "Qi"Therefore, Chinese believed that a person’s health corresponds to the proper flow of qi, also known as “vital energy”, through pathways. Illness and pain will result if the proper flow of qi is not flowing to a certain part of the body. Acupuncture is inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to stimulate Qi. The practitioner can use needles as well as heat, pressure, friction, suction, or electromagnetic energy. Acupuncture helps to maintain balance which is essential for a long and fruitful life. Use Of Acu. There are many advantages to acupuncture. One is that it can supposedly treat so many illnesses. Acupuncture is best known for its control of pain. (WHO) The World Health Organization, lists a variety of different medical conditions that can benefit from the use of acupuncture. In the United States, acupuncture is frequently used for the treatment of chronic pain like arthritis, headache, injuries, and post surgical pain and nausea. It is also being used for the pain associated with immune disorders such as psoriasis, allergies and asthma. It has been
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