There are many medical benefits of acupuncture as acupuncture has been used for millennia to treat the symptoms of many diseases and health conditions as well as to promote good health and well-being.

To determine the medical benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of your condition you must speak with a qualified practitioner of acupuncture. He or she will want to know your entire medical history including any allergies you have and what illnesses and injuries you have suffered in the past. Only after knowing these things can a potential form of treatment be decided on?

Acupuncture works by triggering the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain and central nervous system. These chemicals, endorphins and serotonin have a strong affect on a persons mood and the feelings they have, they can make you feel up, down, in pain or happy and pain free.

The traditional method behind the treatment is to accentuate the flow of “qi”, which is believed to be the bodies natural flow of energy. Today qi is used more like a metaphor and acupuncture is one of the most well known, and most widely used treatments in a complementary fashion.

* What is acupuncture used for?

Acupuncture has been used for a wide variety of medical conditions for a few millennia, today we use acupuncture for medical conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, pain, headaches, digestive problems and women’s menstrual problems.

According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) there are a number of health problems that can be improved upon by the use of acupuncture. These conditions are broken down into respiratory diseases, bronchopulmonary diseases, eye disorders, disorders that affect the cavity of the mouth, orthopedic disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological disorders.

The respiratory diseases that acupuncture can help include acute sinusitis, acute rhinitis, acute tonsillitis and the common cold. Acute bronchitis and bronchial asthma are both bronchopulmonary diseases that acupuncture has been shown to have great results in treating.

The eye disorders acupuncture helps include acute conjunctivitis, cataract that has no complications, myopia, and central retinitis.

The mouth cavity disorders acupuncture helps include toothaches, gingivitis, pharyngitis, and pain or discomfort that sometimes takes place after a tooth is pulled. The orthopedic disorders acupuncture helps include periarthritis humeroscapularis, tennis elbow, lower back pain, rheumatoid arthritis and sciatica.

Acupuncture also improves gastrointestinal disorders as well as neurologic disorders. The gastrointestinal disorders it helps include hiccups, gastroptosis, spasms that take place in the cardia and the esophagus, gastric hyperacidity, acute and chronic gastritis, chronic duodenal ulcer, acute bacterial dysentery, acute as well as chronic colitis, constipation, diarrhea, and paralytic ileus.

The neurologic disorders it helps include headaches and migraines in particular, facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, meniere’s syndrome, intercostals neuralgia, nocturnal enuresis, paralysis after an apoplectic fit, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and paralysis that is caused by poliomyelitis.

* How is acupuncture done?

Acupuncture is carried out by hundreds of small needles being inserted into special points in the body, these points are known as acupuncture points and are located along meridian lines where qi is supposed to flow likes streams, rivers and seas.

In the body there are hundreds, if not thousands of acupuncture points, all of which are related to different medical conditions and used for alleviating different symptoms.

The points are found by an acupuncture therapist feeling for pulses in the body, mostly around the organs, this will help them determine which acupuncture points to use.

Mike Herman
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/the-medical-benefits-of-acupuncture-are-too-numerous-to-count-88461.html

Do you prefer to adopt a natural and safe way to cure your blood pressure rather than swallowing those pills and medicines? Well, with growing awareness, many people today refrain from taking those chemical tablets and capsules to cure their diseases and disorders.
After all several safe and natural modes of blood pressure treatment are known today.

Acupuncture is one such treatment that has been making strong statements with people struck with the hypertension disorder. It is proved that acupuncture can effectively bring your blood pressure down to the normal levels.

High blood pressure generally occurs when arteries narrow down, with the blood exerting high pressure against its walls. And if this continues over a period of time, this high energy blood damages the blood vessels. The situation can further worsen to harden the arteries.

There are some peculiar forms of acupuncture treatment to treat high blood pressure. To get the best results, acupuncture is now combined with the process of electric stimulation. This type of treatment is known as electro-acupuncture.

This treatment involves the insertion of acupuncture needles in the forearm, just above your wrist. As this process is done the needles are electrically stimulated. As a result electricity starts flowing from the needles to the other body parts. This electrical stimulation carries low frequency. These charges that are carrying low frequency ultimately works in the direction of reducing your blood pressure.

The theory employed in the acupuncture treatment is very simple. The needles are inserted on certain points on the wrist, the forearm and the leg that immediately excites the production of some chemicals in the brain cells. These chemicals interact with the muscles of the heart, thereby reducing its activity. As the activity of the heart reduces, the demand of oxygen in the body reduces. Thus all these developments leads to lower blood pressure.

Apart from curing your hypertension problem, acupuncture also promotes the healing of other problems related to your heart. That is, with acupuncture you can keep healthy for a longer life.

Still, in some cases acupuncture treatment alone may not help you. Though you can get rid of your blood pressure disorder soon with the consumption of certain herbs which paces up your aim. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle pattern will also considerably help you in attaining a normal blood pressure level.

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/curing-high-blood-pressure-with-acupuncture-93401.html

If you suffer from headaches – whether they be migraine or sinus headaches – you might automatically think of popping a pill. But for a more natural remedy — and one that’s gaining momentum all the time — think about acupuncture for sinus headache migrains.

The thought of acupuncture makes many people cringe. But the art and craft of acupuncture is gaining popularity among people who don’t want to take pain pills or other drugs, but who are looking for natural, pure remedies.

Simply put, acupuncture is the delicate insertion of very thin needles at various points on the body to relieve pain or promote healing. Relief of sinus, tension and migraine headaches is a common impetus for acupuncture treatment, but it’s used for a variety of other needs, including healing after injury, relief from the pain and discomfort of chemotherapy, and a variety of other ailments and illnesses.

It’s believed that inserting the needles at specific points in the body realigns the body’s electrical fields which helps to relieve pain or promote the healing necessary for recovery from injury or disease.

As for headaches, the use of acupuncture is gaining in popularity thanks both to the acceptance the practice is gaining in traditional circles, and reports that the practice is effective in relieving headache pain.

A recent study showed that the use of acupuncture was effective in relieving the pain of migraine headaches but experts aren’t exactly sure why. They say it’s possible acupuncture has a “placebo” effect, where the patient believes the treatment will help and so it does, without much medical basis for the benefit or relief.

Others say acupuncture works for migraine and sinus headaches because the acupuncture needles are inserted specifically to re-channel the body’s energy fields and produce a biochemical change in the body’s blood serum.

If you suffer from sinus or migraine headaches, you know that pain relief in the form of a pill can work. But after four or six hours, the pain returns and you return to the medicine cabinet for another “hit” of the pain-relieving drug. Experts say that the use of acupuncture reduces your dependence on pain-relief drugs, whether they are addictive or not. Over time such drugs can cause liver or kidney damage, or ulcers. If you need medication from your doctor, the drugs can become addictive as well.

If you have long suffered from sinus or migraine headaches you might have turned to the use of steroid injections for relief. But these can very painful (unlike acupuncture, which most users report is painless) and if used for a long period of time can cause life-threatening side effects.

Dr. Beth Paxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acupuncture-for-migraine-and-sinus-headaches-95595.html

It is very important to realize that acupuncture isn't going to magically make you lose weight. You will still need to exercise and eat healthy. The acupuncture for weight loss helps with appetite control, craving control, and energy levels.

Find acupuncture certification programs in the United States and Canada. Acupuncture certification is an important step in practicing this alternative healing art. Students interested in earning the valuable credential of acupuncture certification must first complete required coursework and successfully graduate from one of several acupuncture schools.

In general, acupuncture certification programs extended through one of many Oriental medicine schools or acupuncture schools will include three or four-year studies to help students gain the necessary skills and knowledge to practice acupuncture. In addition to acupuncture needling techniques, students will learn about Chinese Medicine, principles, and philosophies; and will gain practical clinical and classroom training. In many cases, students who aspire to earn acupuncture certification will discover that many acupuncture schools will combine education in acupuncture with Oriental medicine, including courses in Tui Na, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and medical Chinese terminology; and associated education in anatomy, physiology, and other respective subjects of study.

While there are several styles of acupuncture, including 5-element acupuncture and Kiiko Matsumoto style (among others), acupuncture certification programs are not intended for any one specific style, but for acupuncture practitioners who desire to improve their professional outlook.

Typically, acupuncture certification is attained by taking a certification examination through the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Eligibility for candidates who desire to gain acupuncture certification and earn the title of Diplomate (Dipl. Ac.), must have acquired a formal education in acupuncture and must have met all accreditation requirements.

Consequently, if graduates have received their acupuncture degrees, but have not obtained all necessary coursework for acupuncture certification can earn and present supplemental education through an ACAOM-accredited or candidate school. Furthermore, practitioners who have earned their acupuncture certification must acquire a minimum of 60 PDA (Professional Development Activity) points for recertification.

If you are interested in finding your dream job, let education within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you now!

Acupuncture Certification FAQs

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CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/acupuncture-certification-faqs-138614.html

I would take it easy for a while. Walk and see how that feels… Any reputable acupuncturist would encourage you to seek radiology/mri before telling you to "run all you want" if you indeed feel that you tore something.

Acupuncture works in a variety of ways – the verdict is still out and no one really knows HOW it works – don't let anyone tell you anything differently. There are several valid explanations. My personal belief is that we are sending specific signals to our brain to stimulate healing in different parts of our bodies depending on where we put the needles. Our nervous system is very complex.

Get a different acupuncturist – that is my best advice. A good herbal protocol will also help strengthen your sinews and muscles.

An alternative to “so-called” modern methods for the treatment of fertility is an ancient method of healing – acupuncture. Of course, it’s not a catch-all for couples that have been having problems having a baby. For example: Acupuncture treatment for couples with structural issues (i.e. blocked sperm or duct damaged fallopian tubes) are less likely to have success than couples with issues like inconsistent ovulation.

Working Principle of Acupuncture

The interrelationship of exactly how fertility and acupuncture relate is still less than completely clear. However, most acupuncture experts currently believe that acupuncture works by improving overall body functions by increasing blood flow to the genital organs and balancing blood hormone levels. This ability results in enhanced ovarian function in women and in men increased sperm production.

Invisible channels of energy run throughout the body, called chi, according to the traditional concept of Chinese medicine. Also called meridians, if obstructed at any one point, these channels of energy begin to build up in certain regions of the body or organs while other areas no longer get adequate energy to properly function. To alleviate obstructions needles are placed on select spots. Modern medical science is of the opinion that the use of needles helps to stimulate the nervous system and triggers the release of chemicals within the muscles, spinal cord and brain. This results in the body being put into a position to heal itself which is always the best method of healing.

Fertility in Women

Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is a good complementary form of therapy in women who are undergoing other forms of fertility treatments. One take on the positive relationship acupuncture generates in women is that it relieves the worry and stress they undergo while being treated fertility.

In addition, it’s been found that the success rate for women who are undergoing in-vitro fertilization is higher if the treatment is accompanied with acupuncture treatment. Another positive aspect of has been the ratio of ectopic (out of place) pregnancies and miscarriages has been found to be significantly lower for women who underwent acupuncture treatment.

Higher Rates of Pregnancy and Acupuncture

The causal relationship between fertility and acupuncture has also been studied. One example has been the number of pregnancies that were reported in women who were classified as hopeless by medical doctors but as a last desperate hope in getting pregnant turned to the use of acupuncture needles and actually got pregnant.

These studies have been challenged by the medical establishment who have argued that even without acupuncture such women could have gotten pregnant by using biofeedback (i.e. changing their thought patterns to positively influence their internal systems). While the opinion of the medical community remains divided on the issue of acupuncture and fertility, because it has been proven to be a safe procedure most doctors have no problem in giving their patients the go-ahead to give acupuncture a try.

Tip – For information on the best acupuncture options, check out the links below.

Brian Winkels
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/acupuncture-and-fertility-an-alternative-treatment-98609.html