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Acupuncture treatment
Acupuncture is defined as: the use of high-precision needles to be inserted into specific and important points through the skin, and this method is considered one of the most important parts of Chinese medicine that is used to treat pain. Chinese medicine interprets acupuncture as a method that restores the balance of energy, or so-called life force, that runs through pathways in the body when these needles are inserted into specific areas in those paths. The explanation used by Western doctors is that they consider it a method of stimulating nerves , muscles , and , as this stimulation increases blood flow and the production of natural painkilling substances. [1]
Uses of acupuncture therapy
Although there is insufficient scientific evidence to use acupuncture in some cases, therapists who specialize in this method use it to treat many and varied conditions of diseases and health conditions, including those of the musculoskeletal system , and this method can be used according to different recommendations In the following cases: [2]
- Tension headache , chronic .
- Sister Migraines.
- Chronic pain, such as neck pain.
- Joint pain .
- Dental Pain .
- Postoperative pain.
How to perform acupuncture treatment
The number of sessions and times of acupuncture treatment varies, and it can reach ten sessions, but what matters to be done in the first session is to assess the health status of the patient, his medical history, and examine him physically, then it is possible to start the introduction of needles, and the first session often lasts for a period It ranges from twenty to forty minutes. [2]
The therapist selects the necessary points for insertion of needles according to the person's health condition; Usually, a specific number of points, up to twelve, is chosen, and it is worth noting that choosing the number of points often depends on the number of symptoms.That the person suffers from. The treatment begins with the patient sitting or lying in preparation for the introduction of needles in these points, then the needles are only inserted in the subcutaneous area, or they may be inserted into the muscle tissue , and the patient may feel slight numbness when inserted, but it should not be Cause great pain; It should be reported to the therapist immediately after significant pain is felt. Then the needles are left in the place where they were inserted for a period ranging from a few minutes to thirty minutes, and in some cases the therapist can administer the needles or stimulate them using a weak electrical current, and in this case it is called electroacupuncture. It should be noted that the used needles must be sterile, and be several centimeters long, and be used only once. It must be destroyed immediately after use. [2]
Safety in acupuncture treatment
It is important to inform the physician responsible for the patient’s use of acupuncture, and although acupuncture treatment is considered safe if it is performed by a certified therapist, verifying the safety of the method and asking the therapist about it is important. It is necessary to look at the certified therapist's certificate; It indicates that he has obtained a certain degree of training and that he continues to follow the rules of work, such as disposing of needles as soon as they are used. In rare cases, some problems may occur after acupuncture treatment, including inflammation due to non-sterilization of the needles, so it is very important to make sure that a new, sterile set of needles is used in each treatment session. [3]
Side effects of acupuncture treatment
Some minor and short-term side effects may occur in some cases, and these symptoms include: [2]
- Occurrence of bleeding or bruising at the needle entry area of the skin.
- Feeling weak and dizzy .
- Feeling sick and paler .
- Worsen pre-existing symptoms.
Challenges of acupuncture studies
The current studies carried out by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health aim to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating some types of pain and some health conditions, and to know the extent of the body's response to them. Where studies are looking for the effectiveness of acupuncture in reducing hot flashes associated with menopause , and its ability to reduce pain and discomfort associated with chemotherapy.Chemotherapy, and comparing acupuncture to simulated acupuncture - a technique in which sharp, retractable needles are used; These needles touch the skin and are pulled out but do not penetrate it like an actual acupuncture treatment - and they aim to compare actual treatment to acupuncture. It is worth noting that conducting studies on acupuncture therapy faces some challenges, including: [4]
- Clinical Trials that aim to study acupuncture treatment have varied and differed in many matters such as the different techniques used, the number of needles insertion points, the number of treatment sessions, in addition to the variation in the duration of each treatment session.
- The dependence of the results of the treatment sessions on the patient’s beliefs and expectations about the treatment, in addition to the relevance of the results to the patient’s relationship with the therapist, rather than relying on these results on the treatment itself.
References
- ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff ( February 21, 2015 ), "Acupuncture , " www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved 2017-09-25. Edited
- ^ A b T w "Acupuncture" , Www.nhs.uk , 2016-08-22, Retrieved 2017-09-25.Edited
- ↑ "Acupuncture - Topic Overview" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved 2017-09-26. Edited
- ↑ "Acupuncture: In Depth" , www.nccih.nih.gov , 2017-02-21, Retrieved 2017-09-26. Edited
