The Effects and Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a common method of health maintenance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It works by stimulating specific points on the body to promote blood circulation, thereby preventing disease. The Yongquan (Kidney 1) point, in particular, offers numerous benefits, such as nourishing the kidneys and aiding sleep, making it especially effective for treating kidney deficiency-related insomnia and fatigue. It is crucial to focus on the correct acupuncture points to avoid causing harm to the body.

Effects, Benefits, and Contraindications of Acupuncture

Acupuncture should only be performed in professional medical settings. It has the effect of relaxing muscles and promoting blood circulation, alleviating symptoms such as muscle spasms caused by cervical spondylosis. Generally, acupuncture is contraindicated if there is local skin inflammation or acute infectious diseases. Regular physical exercise, correcting poor posture, and performing neck exercises are recommended.

Diagram of Acupuncture Effects and Benefits

Acupuncture involves two main techniques: needling and moxibustion. The needles used are typically made of stainless steel. Both the needles and the practitioner’s hands must be sterilized. The patient lies down, and the acupuncturist selects the appropriate points for needling. The right hand usually holds the needle, using the thumb, index, and middle fingers to grip it like a pen, while the left hand applies pressure to the area being needled. During the needling process, it is essential to master the correct angle, direction, and depth of insertion to enhance the sensation and efficacy while preventing accidents. The angle of insertion refers to the angle formed between the needle and the skin surface, which can be categorized into three types: perpendicular (90 degrees), oblique (approximately 45 degrees), and horizontal (approximately 15 degrees). The depth of insertion should be determined based on the patient’s constitution, age, condition, and location of the point. The relationship between the angle and depth is critical; generally, perpendicular insertion is used for deeper points, while oblique or horizontal insertion is used for shallower points. For points like Tiantu (Ren 22), Yamen (Du 15), and Fengfu (Du 16), as well as areas near vital organs, shallow insertion is particularly important to avoid complications. After inserting the needle, manipulation (also known as ‘needle manipulation’) is performed to achieve ‘deqi’ (needle sensation), which refers to the sensations experienced when the needle is inserted into the acupuncture point. When ‘deqi’ occurs, the practitioner feels a sensation of heaviness or tightness under the needle, and the patient may experience sensations such as soreness, numbness, or distension, which can radiate along specific pathways. If ‘deqi’ is not achieved, the practitioner may need to adjust the technique to elicit the desired sensation. Needles are typically retained for 10 to 20 minutes, but for certain conditions like cold syndromes or chronic pain, the retention time may be extended, with intermittent manipulation to enhance and consolidate the effects. After treatment, the needle is removed carefully, with the practitioner applying pressure to the site to prevent bleeding. Patients should rest for a while before resuming activities, and the number of needles used should be checked to avoid leaving any in the body.

Abnormal Situations and Management

1. **Fainting (Dizzy Needling)**: This occurs when a patient experiences sudden fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, nausea, palpitations, sweating, and cold extremities during needling. Causes may include weakness, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, or improper positioning. Immediate cessation of needling and ensuring the patient lies down with warm fluids can help restore normalcy. Severe cases require medical attention.

2. **Stuck Needle**: This occurs when the practitioner feels resistance during manipulation, and the patient experiences pain. Causes may include muscle tension or improper technique. Management includes extending the retention time, applying pressure around the area, or needling nearby points to relieve tension.

3. **Bent Needle**: This occurs when the needle bends during insertion. It may cause difficulty in manipulation and pain. Causes include improper technique or patient movement. The needle should be removed carefully along the curve without force.

4. **Broken Needle**: This occurs when the needle breaks inside the body, often due to poor quality. The patient should remain still, and if part of the needle is visible, it can be removed with forceps. If not, medical intervention is necessary.

5. **Hematoma**: This occurs when there is bleeding under the skin at the needling site, leading to swelling and pain. It usually resolves on its own, but severe cases may require cold compresses followed by gentle massage.

Precautions for Acupuncture

Patients should avoid acupuncture when overly hungry, fatigued, or anxious. For those with weak constitutions, gentle techniques should be used. Areas with infections, ulcers, or tumors should not be needled. Special care is needed for points near vital organs, and significant movements during treatment should be avoided to prevent injury.

Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves applying heat from burning moxa (mugwort) to stimulate acupuncture points for therapeutic purposes. The primary material used is moxa, which is processed into a fine, soft form. Common methods include moxa stick and moxa cone techniques. Moxa is often applied to points to treat conditions like vomiting, abdominal pain, and arthritis.

Effects of Acupuncture

Acupuncture, also known as needling therapy, can unblock meridians and ensure smooth circulation of qi and blood, making it a traditional treatment method in China. It also has the effects of strengthening the body and expelling pathogens. Acupuncture is particularly effective for pain-related and paralysis-related conditions, with minimal side effects, making it a safe and reliable treatment option.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?

In 2002, the World Health Organization detailed the range of conditions treatable by acupuncture, including:

Adverse effects of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy
Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
Biliary colic
Depression (including depressive neurosis and post-stroke depression)
Acute bacterial dysentery
Primary dysmenorrhea
Acute gastric pain (peptic ulcer, acute and chronic gastritis, gastric spasm)
Facial pain (including temporomandibular dysfunction)
Headache
Primary hypertension
Primary hypotension
Induction of labor
Knee pain
Leukopenia
Low back pain
Malposition of fetus
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Neck pain
Oral pain (including dental pain and temporomandibular dysfunction)
Shoulder periarthritis
Postoperative pain
Renal colic
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sciatica
Sprains
Contusions
Tennis elbow

Other conditions have shown preliminary evidence of effectiveness but require further research, including:

Abdominal pain (acute gastroenteritis or spasms)
Common acne
Alcohol dependence and detoxification
Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis)
Bronchial asthma
Cancer pain
Cardiac neurosis
Chronic cholecystitis acute attacks
Cholelithiasis
Competitive stress syndrome
Closed head injury
Non-insulin-dependent diabetes
Ear pain
Hemorrhagic fever
Epistaxis (narrow definition)
Eye pain from conjunctival injection
Female infertility
Facial spasm
Female urethral syndrome
Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome
Gastric motility disorders
Gouty arthritis
Hepatitis B virus carrier state
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Hyperlipidemia
Ovarian dysfunction
Insomnia
Labor pain
Insufficient lactation
Non-organic male sexual dysfunction
Meniere’s disease
Neuralgia (post-herpetic)
Neurodermatitis
Obesity
Opioid, cocaine, and heroin dependence
Osteoarthritis
Pain from endoscopy
Thromboangiitis obliterans pain
Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome)
Post-tracheostomy in children
Postoperative recovery
Premenstrual syndrome
Chronic prostatitis
Pruritus
Radicular pain and myofascial pain syndrome
Primary Raynaud’s syndrome
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Sympathetic nerve trophic disorders (reflexive)
Urinary retention (traumatic)
Schizophrenia
Drug-induced hypersalivation
Sjögren’s syndrome
Throat pain (including tonsillitis)
Acute spinal pain
Stiff neck
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Costochondritis
Tobacco dependence
Tourette syndrome
Chronic ulcerative colitis
Urolithiasis
Vascular dementia
Whooping cough

Research has shown that acupuncture can treat a wide range of conditions, far exceeding the 43 conditions recommended by the World Health Organization in 1979, with a total of 461 conditions confirmed for efficacy, indicating that acupuncture is widely applicable and worthy of clinical promotion.

Effects and Benefits of Moxibustion

Moxibustion can treat conditions such as urinary difficulties, ascites, obesity, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, and infertility, as well as improve complexion and alleviate symptoms like night sweats, palpitations, and insomnia. It is essential to eat something before acupuncture to avoid fainting, and during recovery, the body should remain still to prevent complications like bent or broken needles.

Benefits and Side Effects of Acupuncture

While acupuncture may cause skin damage and pain, making it difficult for some patients to continue treatment, it also offers significant benefits. It effectively unblocks meridians, alleviates pain, and warms and nourishes the body. Its clinical applications are broad, particularly for pain-related, paralysis-related, or yang deficiency conditions. Overall, acupuncture is a treatment method with more benefits than drawbacks.

Employment Prospects in Acupuncture and Tuina

The employment situation for acupuncture and tuina practitioners cannot be simply categorized as good or bad. Generally, those with a bachelor’s degree can work in county-level hospitals, while master’s degree holders may work in city hospitals or engage in research. Additionally, practitioners can open their clinics, and those proficient in English may find opportunities abroad.

Acupuncture and tuina are reportedly more developed abroad than in China, as different body types respond differently to treatment. Some studies suggest that acupuncture may be more effective for Caucasians than for Asians, leading to its growing popularity in Europe and America. Certification is required for practice, and obtaining a license as an acupuncturist can enhance job prospects.