Just going by the recent guests on Oprah, you’d think that America was populated by manic-depressive people hooked on all sorts of prescription meds! Well, studies show that the number of depressed citizens has reached, at least, a whopping 8 million. What’s worse is that depression is the leading cause of suicide, with 30,000 deaths annually. And since drugs don’t seem to be helping lower that number fast enough, more people are turning to TCM methods like acupuncture for anxiety and depression.

TCM or traditional Chinese medicine has gained a following among individuals who, even if they experience healing, dislike the side effects and withdrawal symptoms normally associated with prescription antidepressants, such as Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoflot, etc.

Since these drugs work on managing brain levels of serotonin, some people have used herbal remedies that do the same thing, the most popular being St. John’s Wort. Other people have found it beneficial to combine herbal medicine with acupuncture for anxiety and depression, as well as fatigue from stress and mood swings.

So how true are these TCM claims? An acupuncturist will probably tell you that his method treats the root cause of the depressive disorder. However, clinical studies proving this are lacking.

On the other hand, clinical research has proven that herbal remedies are indeed effective against anxiety disorders and even panic attacks and certain types of phobia.

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I can’t remember the time when a trip to the spa was not part of my monthly routine. (I know that if I don’t turn that into a more regular routine I may soon be among the unfortunate, stressed out minority.) I’ve recently noticed that at least one of the spas I frequent has started offering an acupuncture face lift procedure.

An acupuncture face lift procedure is said to rejuvenate tired skin by (HORRORS!) applying needles to certain parts of the face. Why would anyone sign up for this?

Well, consider the alternative. If your creams and potions cease to work, you may begin to consider surgery. Going under the knife is, of course, a scarier prospect for many people and they would rather endure a few minutes of pricking.

An acupuncture face lift procedure is a more intensive type of facial that supposedly not only lifts sagging skin but also aids in the overall healing of a stressed out body.

Aside from the noticeable lifting, the spa I frequent also offers acupuncture procedures that promise to add a glow to your skin. I have to remember to ask them next time if, perhaps, the “glow” is not caused by so many needles pricking your skin!

What is more attractive about the procedures I saw at my spa was the promise of less obvious bags under the eyes. Well, if my usual Retin-A and AHA creams no longer work, I would consider it… maybe.

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The history of acupuncture begins with the first mention of acupuncture found in an ancient Chinese medical volume, said to be over 2,000 years old. Around the 6th Century AD, Buddhism spread to Japan, taking acupuncture with it. Acupuncture was regarded as a religious medical practice.

Typical of the Japanese, they innovated on the practice in the 1600s and revolutionized the history of acupuncture by introducing the small cylinder or tube that guides the needle. Still in use to this day all over the world, the method is also used by almost all modern-day Japanese acupuncturists.

In those days in the East, an acupuncturist was regarded in the same way doctors are today. But when German and Dutch medicine spread throughout the East in the 1800s, Western medicine became dominant.

In the US, increased interest in herbal medicine and ancient methods has led modern doctors and scientists to conduct research into the historical origins, rationale, and applications of acupuncture to study its effects.

In the mid-1990s, the Washington Post stated that around 15 million Americans had tried out acupuncture for problems like arthritis, fatigue, nausea, etc. Around the same time, the USFDA began recognized acupuncture needles as tools of medicine.

The practice and history of acupuncture has made its way into many modern curricula, most notably that of the University of California in Los Angeles.

Even corporate America has taken notice of acupuncture’s impact on the modern world. Some insurance companies now include acupuncture in their policies.

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What I like about electronic acupuncture is that it can be done just on the surface of the skin. However, if you want needles inserted into your skin, it’s also an option.

I’ve never had anyone poke a bunch of needles into my skin. I can’t even recall the last time I got a blood test or an injection! So I’m glad that hi-tech electronics is an option for cowards like me who want to try acupuncture.

Another great thing about electronic acupuncture is that, when done just on the skin surface (transcutaneous), it minimizes the risk of catching blood-borne illnesses like hepatitis or HIV. Also, I don’t have to lay there with terrible thoughts of the acupuncturist puncturing my lung!

And since it’s kind of hard to be 100% sure in the competence of any acupuncturist, electronic acupuncture is better because points can be located more accurately and stimulated to healing more effectively.

This is especially true if you choose the regular procedure where needles go into the skin. In the regular procedure, the patient will be stimulated by the electrodes attached to traditional acupuncture needles.

If, like me, you prefer transcutaneous electronic acupuncture, you can be confident since there are machines available that measure the electrical resistance of a person’s skin, making even slight burning and accidental electrocution impossible.

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A news item caught my eye at the start of 2007. More American women are now experimenting with acupuncture and pain relief during labor.

Even if acupuncture for childbirth has been the subject of scientific research for many years now, it seems that its popularity on such a massive scale has only recently caught on.

Acupuncture therapy is currently used at New York’s Lutheran Medical Center. But rather than being used for healing any illness, the treatment is used to relax and soothe women who are about to give birth. Doctors say that acupuncture really does help ease the pain of childbirth.

I don’t about you, but I find it comforting that acupuncture and pain relief during labor is now being seriously considered by medical doctors at well-known hospitals. Although its fair to say, I really don’t think I want an acupuncturist poking at me when I’m pregnant.

If it’s my doctor who suggests the treatment, however, I’m willing to give it a shot. After two deliveries that have done nothing to raise my pain threshold, I’m willing to try anything – for as long as my doctor supervises, that is.

Besides, acupuncture has already been proven in clinical studies to have an analgesic effect. Doctors at Lutheran even say that acupuncture can sometimes help get labor started.

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In ancient practice, the number of acupuncture pressure points was the same as the days in a year (365). But in modern practice, that number has exploded! Even so, the majority of acupuncturists still concentrate on traditional pressure points in the 14 meridians, which are:

1. Large-intestine
Acupuncture pressure points in back of hand/between thumb & 1st finger
Pressures are for relief from pain, constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, etc. Also, sore throat, painful eyes, swollen lymph nodes, rashes, etc.

2. Lung
Above wrist/inside arm
Headache, stiff neck, asthma, cough, sore throat, wrist injury

3. Stomach
Front of leg/below knee
Nausea, abdominal problems, tiredness

4. Spleen
Inner leg/above ankle
Irregular menstrual cycle, impotence, urinary problems, stomachache, backache

5. Gallbladder
Acupuncture pressure points in the base of skull
Pressures are for relief of cold, flu, headache, fever, hypertension

6. Liver
Top of foot/between 1st & 2nd toes
Irregular menstrual cycle, chest pains, headaches, hypertension

7. Pericardium
Inner arm/above wrist
Heart palpitations, nausea, spasms

8. Heart
Outer wrist
Forgetfulness, insomnia, depression, heart problems, tiredness

9. Urinary-bladder
Back of knee
Backache, leg pain, stomachache, nausea, diarrhea

10. Kidney
Acupuncture pressure points in back of inner-ankle
Pressures are for relief of toothache, sore throat, lightheadedness, asthma, lower backache, irregular mens

11. Torso (called “Triple-burner”)
Outer arm/above wrist
Problems along arms and hands, head and neck

12. Small-intestine
Side of hand/below pinkie
Stiff neck, chest pain, lumbar pain, fever, night-sweats

13. Governing-vessel
Top of head
Headache, lightheadedness, nasal blockage, speech problems

14. Conception-vessel
Acupuncture pressure points slightly below navel
Pressures are for stomach/menstrual/urinary/ disorders, hernias, diarrhea

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Did you know that, unlike other acupuncture theories, the connection between tongue acupuncture and autism was first shown before a gathering of scientists and doctors?

Tongue acupuncture and autism were subjects of a 2001 paper presented at the 17th World Congress of Neurology in London.

This surprised the scientific community familiar with this mode of healing because before then the tongue was never among the common acupuncturist targets.

The University of Hong Kong’s Division of Child Neurology was represented by Dr. Virginia Wong, who revealed that she and colleague Dr. JG Sun believe they have found the tongue’s acupuncture points that affect the organs in the human body – particularly those that give relief from the symptoms of autism.

To test autism sympathetic points in tongues, the doctors chose 30 random subjects: kids from ages 3 through 15. One set of kids got standard education and therapy, while the other got the standard program and tongue acupuncture. All kids had reached plateaus on the standard program when the study began.

Children who underwent tongue acupuncture showed an average change of 12 points in the Functional Independence Measure, compared to 0.005 in the other group.

What’s more there was a big improvement in self care and cognition, plus a big difference in the Parental Stress Index, the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Index, the Caregiver Global Impression Scale, among other communication and relational indices.

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Is it any wonder that many couples wanting to get pregnant are now exploring acupuncture infertility treatments given the high costs of in vitro fertilization?

Acupuncture infertility treatment has to do with creating a balance in the reproductive system through less invasive means than, say, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), in which a sperm is injected directly into an egg.

Since it involves no surgery and is, as yet, on the fringes of Western medicine, it is inexpensive. But is it effective? Studies are, so far, inconclusive.

Although acupuncture claims to raise your “fertility quotient” it is hard to determine if a man’s sperm count, for instance, was not raised simply because of a certain panacea effect from the procedure.

The “hormonal adjustments” to the menstrual cycle said to be made on a woman’s reproductive system, on the other hand, may be explained by the procedure’s relaxing effect.

Even scientists will agree that the procedure may create a relaxing experience for some people. But as far as direct cause and effect between acupuncture and fertility is concerned, there is so far no scientific basis.

Since Eastern and Western medical practitioners have, for now, probably given up on convincing each other, it can only be stated that acupuncture’s healing properties (whether they have to do with inducing pregnancy or not) may work for some people.

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The Centers for Disease Control has stated that one in three Americans is affected by Arthritis which equates to a huge 70 million individuals. Arthritis is one of the top most prevalent diseases in the US and is the principal source of disability.

As people get older arthritis pain and inflammation is unavoidable for many. The majority of people over 50 have at least some indications of arthritis because joint naturally deteriorate as you get older. Despite this, arthritis can be successfully managed through acupuncture for arthritis pain and Chinese medicine.

On the contrary to common belief arthritis isn’t actually a single disease. Arthritis is a disorder consisting of over one hundred different conditions and is able to occur at any point though out a person’s life. The two top most frequent types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Even though these two arthritis types are caused very differently, have different risk factors and affect a person’s body in different ways they in fact usually both have one symptom in common, relentless pain occurring at the joints.

Chinese medical theory says that arthritis occurs when the cyclical flow of Qi is blocked in the meridians. This blockage is known as ‘bi’ type pain which is well studied and can be successfully remedied with the use of acupuncture for arthritis pain and Chinese herbs. In fact acupuncture and Chinese medicine has been shown to be highly effective for relieving the inflammation and pain connected with all varieties of arthritis.

Traditional Chinese medicine doesn’t look at arthritis as one specific condition, rather it tries to remedy each particular set of symptoms specific to an individual through a host of methods including acupuncture for arthritis pain, bodywork, Chinese herbs, lifestyle/dietary advice and vigorous exercise routines to help re-establish imbalances through out the patients body.

During a procedure of acupuncture for arthritis pain the points used are not only over the effected areas but are situated all over the body. The small acupuncture needles may be positioned on your legs, shoulders, arms and possibly your little toe.

Acupuncture needles are so small and thin several can fit into the centre of a hypodermic needle. Suffice to say there is little or no feeling when an acupuncture needle is inserted. Some individuals do report a brief moment of discomfort when the needle is placed in the skin; however this is only for an instant and soon after most patients relax and may even fall asleep during the acupuncture treatment.

The procedure of acupuncture for arthritis pain will vary in length and frequency in which it will need to be carried out. Normally the treatment will last for five to thirty minutes and will need to be performed once to twice a week. Quite often certain symptoms are in fact calmed after just one acupuncture procedure, however, the more severe complaints will likely require many more treatments.

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There is always a constant flow of individuals trying to stop smoking and many usually find their will power shrink pretty quick. If you are a smoker or have been in the past I’m sure you can sympathise with this fact. Stopping smoking is very difficult to do and gets harder the longer you are a smoker. Nicotine is a strong addiction and the smoking habit becomes ingrained in to your daily routine. Some individuals can even find smoking to be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.

As an unconventional method for smoking cessation, acupuncture to stop smoking has been growing in popularity. Acupuncture is repeatedly instructed in courts as treatment for drug addicts due to is capacity for reducing withdrawal symptoms and aiding in control over cravings.

Studies have led to estimates that state 2 to 3 attempts at stopping smoking are usually required before a smoker finally stops smoking for good. After smokers have tried and failed at the more conventional methods such as nicotine patches or gum they start to look to more alternative methods for stopping their smoking habit. This is where smokers start to look at acupuncture to stop smoking and break their habit.

What must be realised is that acupuncture is not a magic cure or miracle solution to the addictions of any drug, including smoking. However, what acupuncture is effective in providing is the ability to aid in stopping smoking by making it easier plus it also helps an individual to stay smoke free. If a person is greatly motivated and really is ready to stop smoking, acupuncture is able to empower the individual to take charge of their habit and start a much healthier smoke free lifestyle.

How Does ‘Acupuncture to Stop Smoking’ Work?

Acupuncture is converting more and more smokers in to lasting non-smokers, however, as previously stated acupuncture to stop smoking is not a ‘cure’ or complete solution for stopping smoking. What acupuncture can do for you is lessen the cravings and lower the withdrawal symptoms often connected with quitting a drug. A successful and proper acupuncture course will require patient preparation, commitment from the patient and training regards what acupuncture can and can�t do for the acupuncture patient.

Chinese medicine tries to remedy certain symptoms exclusive to the particular individual and does so through the use of a whole host of different methods; acupuncture, bodywork, Chinese herbs, lifestyle/dietary suggestions and last but not least vigorous exercises all helping to re-establish imbalances in the patient.

Before commencing an acupuncture to stop smoking program your acupuncturist will likely interview you in order to understand you particular situation. This includes knowing your smoking habits, carrying out a physical examination which will probably involve a blood pressure test, measuring your pulse and studying your tongue. All the physical and emotional symptoms that you are undergoing aids in building a good understanding which your acupuncturist can use to construct an acupuncture to stop smoking plan dedicated to you and your particular situation.

The acupuncture to stop smoking treatments will concentrate around the cravings, jitters, restlessness and irritability usually found when a smoker is trying to stop smoking. The acupuncture treatment will also help with detoxification and relaxation in the patient.

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