Acupuncture and Scientific Research Studies
To address important research issues, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Alternative Medicine organized a 2 ½ week conference on acupuncture that took place in November of 1997. The panel concluded that research shows promising results in favor of acupuncture in both the treatment of nausea associated with chemotherapy and post-operative situations, as well as with post-operative dental pain. The panel also pointed to sufficient evidence that acupuncture may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of a variety of other conditions.

The way acupuncture works neurologically is also rapidly becoming apparent, speeding up its acceptance into traditional medicine. Needles used in acupuncture activate small nerve fibers in the muscle, which transmit impulses to the spinal cord and activate centers in the central nervous system, releasing a variety of neurotransmitters. Pain relief, for example, is mediated by the release of opioid-like substances. Although much still needs to be learned, the emergence of biological plausibility for the therapeutic effects of acupuncture is certainly encouraging.

• Pain. Examples of pain producing conditions that respond favorably to acupuncture include arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, dental pain, neck and low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.
• Headache and migraines.
• Nausea associated with chemotherapy.
• Substance abuse problems, such as those related to cocaine, heroine and nicotine.
• Menopause and PMS related symptoms.
• Asthma and allergies.
• Stroke.

Further research is likely to reveal additional areas where acupuncture interventions will become useful.


How is Acupuncture performed?
Acupuncture is done with extremely thin, flexible needles made of steel metal alloy. There is nothing special about the needle itself; it is merely a tool used to correct energy imbalances in the body (or to release neurotransmitters). There is often a brief pricking sensation when the needle passes through the skin. As the needle begins to work and effects begin to occur, the patient may feel numbness, heat, dull aching or a tingling sensation in the vicinity of the needle insertion. Generally, the needles are left in place for about 15 to 30 minutes. They may be rotated by the practitioner or stimulated by electricity or heat.
Most side effects associated with acupuncture are minor and transient. They include occasional dizziness, light-headedness, and very slight bleeding after needles are withdrawn. Infection and other serious side effects such as lung puncture are rare.
Patients should always insist that the acupuncturist use sterile and disposable needles to avoid the risk of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B and AIDS.


TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory

• TCM theory arose from the concept of Qi : the vital life force or energy.
• In the beginning in  the universe there arose Qi
• Energy/qi never changes its basic nature but is always in a state of change
• Qi evolved into 2 polar forces :Yin & Yang
• The 1st reference to YinYang was found in the I Ching - the book of changes around 1000-770 BCE. The central theme was one of change and transformation underlying nature. Confucius was one of the authors.
• From YinYang the theory of the 5 elements arose 300 years later from observing nature's cycles and changes. The ancient Chinese  held that wood, fire, earth, metal, and water were the basic substances making the material world
• Qi flows in cycles through out the body in 12 major channels (6 yin &6 yang). These have a connection with  the internal organs.

These two theories are important in TCM and have developed over 3000 years.
YinYang traditionally is represented as two shapes: one light and one dark, the form of each defining the other and the two together making a perfect unity: the circle. Everything in the universe can be divided into the two opposite but complementary aspects of yin and yang.

When an individual is healthy  the YinYang in the body is in balance. The YinYang theory holds that disease is a result of an imbalance of YinYang. This imbalance may arise from pathogenic factors, excessive emotions, and dietary irregularities.

The theory of  YinYang is often too general for diagnosis therefore the "Eight Principles" theory is used.
To help with the TCM diagnosis, we also assess and ask  questions that for example relate to appetite,  thirst, energy, or temperature, like whether pain responds favourably to the application of heat.
Another aspect of diagnosis is looking at the tongue. This help us know what is going on in the body. Next time you have a cold look at your tongue and you will see change over a few days. Also a practitioner will take your pulse and thus can find out more information about the state of your health. This is a real art.

Another theory, the ZangFu theory looks at the different organs and functions in the body and how they relate to each other. Zang and Fu are different groups of organs, which again, relate to Yin and Yang and in a healthy person are in balance.