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Alternative Therapy - Acupuncture

© Bobbi Jones

Acupuncture seems to be widely known and used in the world of breast cancer. I heard of it almost instantly after I found out I had cancer. Then again with chemotherapy. A lot of people really live by acupuncture as a means of dealing with side effects caused by cancer, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Outside of cancer, I know several people who received acupuncture for other reasons, but mainly for pain. I myself have not used acupuncture for any reason. But after learning what I have, I sure wish I had.

ACUPUNCTURE

WHAT IS IT?

Acupuncture was developed in China more than two thousand years ago. Although it was created originally as a medical therapy to treat illnesses, acupuncture is rarely used for that purpose in this country today. Instead, it is used mainly to control pain and symptoms of illnesses. In China, and sometimes elsewhere, it is still used instead of drug or gas anesthesia during operations and major dental work. Patients feel no pain and are not groggy after their surgery.

Compared to other alternative and complementary therapies, acupuncture has been studied carefully. Based on research supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies, it has been shown to be effective for nausea of pregnancy, post-operative nausea and vomiting, nausea and vomiting of chemotherapy, and post-operative dental pain. It may be effective in helping to treat other conditions such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia (or general muscle pain), low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and asthma.

Acupuncture involves the placement of hair-thin needles into the skin. Ancient acupuncture needles were made of bone, stone, or metal, including silver and gold. Modern needles are made of stainless steel and they are disposable.

The needles are placed just deep enough into the skin to keep them from falling out. Skilled acupuncturists can insert the needles painlessly. They are placed at certain points, called acupoints, along invisible channels that the ancients called "meridians." Most treatments require needles in only ten or twelve points, although more than a thousand are recognized.

Needles usually are kept in place for less than one-half hour. Twirling the needles into motion is thought to enhance the result. Today, electro-acupuncture is commonly used. A supply of weak electric power is attached to needles after they are placed in the skin. The tiny amount of electric power takes the place of twirling the needles by hand.

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