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Historical facts about Acupuncture
The earliest acupuncture devices were made of stone. These were not used to pierce the skin, but rather to press on acupuncture points. Historians presume that before metal needles; thorns, bamboo slivers, or sharpened bone were used to stimulate acupuncture points.
The oldest acupuncture needles found date to A.D. 600. These needles were made of bronze, copper, tin, gold, and silver. In the fourth century A.D., China began using steel. Once steel was discovered, it became the most favored material for crafting acupuncture needles because it is both very strong and can be used to make very thin needles.
In the 17th century, Waichi Sugiyama - a famous blind acupuncturist from Japan- invented the guide tube which resulted in the development of much finer needles. The acupuncture needles most commonly used in present-day practice are made of stainless steel of a very fine diameter (approximately 0.015"). These are pre-packaged, sterilized, and disposable.
In The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (one of the original Chinese medicine textbooks), nine different types of needles are mentioned as being used for acupuncture treatments. Each one had a different tip and a precise length and width. Studies have shown that acupuncture points have significantly more electrical conductivity than areas of skin without acupuncture points. In 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical instruments, assuring their safety and effectiveness.
According to a National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the past, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.
Usually needles are inserted from 1/4 to 1 inch in depth. Depth of insertion will depend on the patient’s size, age, constitution, and the nature of the condition being treated.
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Classical Acupuncture
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Classical Chinese Acupuncture is distinct from commonly practiced acupuncture. It is a rare, holistic medical system that encompasses a complete understanding of the development of illness, treats an incredibly wide array of conditions, and a brilliant, specific and detailed theoretical understanding of optimum health.
Classical Acupuncture is acupuncture based on the tenets laid out in the Classical medical texts of the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 CE), the height of the practice’s development.
This Classical methodology was refined during the enlightenment of the Northern Song dynasty (960 – 1279) and it continues to be enhanced by the interpretation of the texts by master practitioners who follow this approach. One of the current masters is the internationally renowned Jeffrey Yuen.
Classical Acupuncture is not to be confused with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as Classical Acupuncture utilizes 62 meridians (energy pathways) while TCM uses 12 meridians (and extends a gesture toward 8 others). Divergent, Luo and Sinew (see below) meridians are omitted from TCM practice entirely.
Classical Acupuncture treatments are comparatively labor intensive and time consuming. Particular attention is paid to the manner of insertion and manipulation of each needle (which differ markedly for each type of meridian), and to the resulting intricate changes to the flow of qi in the meridians. It is this special attention to detail along with diagnoses not limited to pattern simplifications, and the correct choice of meridian, that can elicit remarkable and profound changes in the health of Classical Acupuncture patients.
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Laser Acupuncture
A relatively new method of stimulation, laser
a cupuncture usually uses low-energy laser beams—instead of traditional acupuncture needles—to influence the flow of current at the acupuncture points. Beyond conventional medicine, laser acupuncture is usually the preferred procedure for effective treatment of painful conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, arthritis of the knee, and chronic headache in children.
Most practitioners of laser acupuncture have an in-depth knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and a clear understanding of how various acupuncture points function.
Laser acupuncture is primarily used to serve two purposes: an anesthetic effect and the stimulation of acupuncture points in a therapeutic program. The procedure has some distinct advantages over the traditional needle method. Many patients who are usually afraid of needles, such as children, prefer laser acupuncture. Use of a laser makes it a typically noninvasive, aseptic procedure, which significantly reduces the pain and recovery time associated with invasive treatments. Generally, laser acupuncture can treat the same range of complaints as needle acupuncture.
The main benefits of laser acupuncture are summarized below:
1. It is safe and scientifically proven to be an effective means of medical treatment.
2. It is 100% painless. In fact, the laser energy impulses are capable to trigger the brain to release our body’s natural pain killer Endorphin.
3. Reduced anxiety of the patient as no needle insertion is involved, which leads to a more relaxed, calmed state.
4. Patient’s mobility is not restricted. Even very slight muscle contractions in areas of needle punctures can prove to be rather painful in classical acupuncture.
5. The laser is able to treat multiple acupoints without the need for needle insertion.
6. It is cost efficient as the intense laser energy generated has power of a mere 500m Watts.
7. The energy of the laser nourishes the cells and revitalizes.
8. As the dosage of the laser can be quantified, Laser Acupuncture proves to be more flexible in terms of treatment dose as opposed to classical acupuncture.
9. Treatment times can be reduced depending on the laser intensity selected.
10. Immediate improvements can be seen just after the first
treatment.
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