Acupuncture forms part of traditional Chinese medicine. It has been claimed that it is one of the oldest forms of healing throughout the world. Underneath acupuncture is the belief that a disruption in the flow of imbalances and qi within the forces of both yin and yang cause diseases to occur. A combination of herbs, massage, meditation and acupuncture are believed to restore the balance of yin-hang and the flow of qi and this helps the healing process. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points of the body, which removes blockages in the flow of qi and therefore restores and maintains one's health. In the United States, acupuncture is known to be an area of alternative medicine, and is not widely accepted as part of conventional medicine.

Although acupuncture is not accepted as being part of traditional medicine, there are several points that we should consider about this procedure:

Asian people, specially Chinese, have used acupuncture for many thousands of years.

The effectiveness of acupuncture for treating many conditions is currently being studied by scientists.

Not many complications arise due to acupuncture, although serious side effects can be created if the treatment is not performed by a person who is qualified.

Although the procedure has existed in China and other Asian countries for several years, it has only been used in the United States since 1971. Since acupuncture was introduced, many people have chosen to use it for many conditions, including chronic pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain and migraines. Many people squirm at the thought of needles being injected into them, but most swear by the benefits received by using acupuncture. Many people turn to acupuncture after they have exhausted traditional medical procedures that have not helped their condition.

There is no need to fear acupuncture as long as you visit a practitioner that is suitably qualified. Complications are usually only caused when a practitioner does not follow proper safety procedures or they are not fully qualified. In the United States, the FDA regulates the use of the needles, and can also include a requirement for one time use. I would not visit a medical doctor who was not qualified to care for me, and everyone should take the same precaution when choosing their acupuncture practitioner.

By obtaining all necessary information about acupuncture and being careful to choose a practitioner that is suitably qualified, you will gain a better understanding and will be able to make a decision regarding the benefits it will provide you with. One should not choose a practitioner just on someone else's recommendation - you should first conduct your own research.

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