The word acupuncture comes from the Latin word acus which means needle and punctura which means to puncture. This alternative medicine is an integral part of Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is practiced in different countries with varying techniques. It is usually used as an adjunctive treatment and is considered most effective for pain relief. Acupuncture dates back to as many as 2500 years and is based on mapping energy flow through the body and the disruption of the pattern of Qi. Acupuncture in Delray attempts to restore health or give pain relief by restoring the imbalances of energy flow through the body. There are multiple points in the body near the skin which are utilized to restore the imbalance.
Safe Practice of Acupuncture in Delray Beach
The actual procedure involves stimulating certain points in the body by using different techniques either manual or electrical. The most common method involves penetrating the skin with thin metal needles and then manipulating it. The size and type of needles to be used are specified by the regulating authorities. This is because there could be consequences like viral hepatitis or pneumothorax if acupuncture is administered by untrained or nonsterile methods. Bacterial infections at the point of penetration of the needle are also possible if sterile techniques are not used. Acupuncture in Delray has been found to be useful in treating chemotherapy induced vomiting and nausea, for pain due to arthritis, back pain, myofascial pain, and fibromyalgia. It is effective in some circumstances for treating menstrual pain and asthma.
The Process of Acupuncture Treatment
The process of acupuncture works by triggering biological responses within the body. These responses either acts locally at the site of application or it mediates responses to structures within the central nervous system. This leads to a chain reaction where there is triggering of pathways in various other systems in the brain and the periphery. The manual or electrical stimulation of the needles also leads to activation of the hypothalamus as well as the pituitary gland leading to more systemic effects such as secretion of endorphins, neurohormones, and neurotransmitters. Acupuncture typically stimulates points at 14 energy pathways to release the blocked energy or Qi.
Benefits of Using Acupuncture
Acupuncture uses very thin needles and although some patients may feel sore after treatment, most do not feel the pain. Some patients even feel relaxed and more energetic after treatment. The effectiveness of treatment generally depends on the chronicity of the problem. The patient’s energy levels as well as the extent of change that is required will also affect the effectiveness of treatment. The stronger your constitution the quicker you are likely to heal however complicated your problem.
Li Zheng is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist and a graduate of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine with 11 years of formal training, including 6 years of residency. She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the US and is a Harvard Medical School-trained researcher and a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture. Her two practices are located in Needham, MA and Boca Raton, FL. She has 26 years of clinical experience. Here she is sharing the information about Acupuncture in Delray.