ACUPUNCTURE While the actual term 'acupuncture' was invented in the 17th century by Willem Ten Rhyne, a dutch

physician, the actual practice of acupuncture dates back to ancient China. There are records of it being used 2,000 years ago, but some scientists believe the practice of inserting needles into the body to relieve pain or as a form of physical therapy dates as far back as 4,000 years ago, and is still used to this day.

What is acupuncture? Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force known as qi or chi (CHEE) believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance. In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body's natural painkillers and increase blood flow.

As defined by the national institutes of health,: The placement of the fine needles through the skin to a very shallow depth at precise locations on the body (acupuncture points) along meridians or energy pathways, to cause a desired result. The meridian exists in everybody whether or not previously recognized! The acupuncture point is a definable electrical point, but, to date, not a physically dissectable entity.

Acupuncture in india:
Acupuncture, though originated in oriental countries in the ancient times but, its philosophical understanding is amazingly wide open to the modern medical science. Historically, records are there regarding its Indian origin. However, acupuncture practised today in Indian sub-continent mainly shows Chinese origin and its introduction to India was pioneered by Dr. B.K. Basu, the first Indian who learned Chinese acupuncture from mainland China during 1959. It is interesting enough to note that though acupuncture is successfully practised in India in a rejuvenated form for the last few decades but due to

lack of proper Governmental support this thereby suffers from under utilization and under development. While WHO suggested for its wider application and development through concerted Governmental efforts.

What is the difference between Contemporary Medical Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Acupuncture?
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture: This form of acupuncture takes the traditional form of acupuncture and modifies it using modern day scientific understandings of human physiology and anatomy. At first glance this form of acupuncture will look quite similar to the traditional approach, as the same small, thin needles are placed in specific points on the body for an extended period of time and removed. In contemporary medical acupuncture, treatment is rendered after a conventional medical/neuro-functional diagnosis has been made. The practitioner will use acupuncture as a treatment modality along with other therapeutic approaches, which at our clinic include: ART, Graston, manual chiropractic manipulation, electrotherapy, ultrasound, rehabilitation exercise, stretching, and taping. The contemporary acupuncture practitioner applies treatment following a conventional (scientific) view and regards the acupuncture as having certain local tissue effects, as providing spinal segmental analgesia, extra-segmental analgesia, as well as central regulatory effects on the nervous system. In summary the points used in this form or acupuncture are chosen based on their specific neuroanatomical and neuromuscular location related to your specific pain or dysfunction. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture: A traditional Chinese acupuncturist will also do a very comprehensive history/physical combination and make a diagnosis based on complex theories regarding disturbance in the bodys balance (energy ect.) that needs to be addressed with treatment. The imbalances previously mentioned will be quantified by excess or deficiency with respect to what are considered the five elements: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. Traditional Chinese acupuncturists believe that certain points in the body correlate with one of these elements and that treatment via acupuncture can correct imbalances, and this is how they select their highly proven and anatomically specific points.* This is just the basic information regarding the two types of acupuncture. Traditional acupuncture has formed the base for the more modern contemporary medical approach and both have been shown to provide clinical benefits to patients. You may now make your decision as to which will be more beneficial for your nerve, joint, and soft tissue injury, pain or dysfunction. Keep in mind that your ability to understand the treatment being performed on your will be a large factor in your recovery from pain or dysfunction.

Result:

The mechanism by which acupuncture works involves neurotransmitters and adrenocorticotropic hormones. It appears to be effective in the treatment of pain, nausea, and drug detoxification and in stroke victims. Studies suggest acupuncture is no more effective than placebo. Acupuncture side effects have rarely been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture appears to be a safe and effective alternative medical therapy for certain health problems. More controlled research is necessary to better understand the range of its clinical application.