Full Answer
Does acupuncture really work?
TRUTH: Yes, it is true that acupuncture helps relieve pain, including headaches, back pain, shoulder pain as well as postoperative and chronic pain. However, it also helps alleviate many other conditions, including digestive problems, stress, anxiety, asthma, allergies and menstrual irregularities.
Are acupoints specific for diseases?
This core set of acupoints can be used to treat a variety of diseases; there is a wide range of acupoint indications but a relative lack of specificity. On the other hand, some acupoints are used to treat specific diseases.
Does acupuncture work for pain?
From the point of view of Western medicine, acupuncture stimulates the nerves and muscles. This helps boost the body’s response to pain, and improves blood circulation. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat headaches, back pain and joint pain. It’s also used to treat neurological and digestive disorder symptoms like:
How does acupuncture work for pain?
- The nerves send pain signals, to alert you that there is a problem in that area.
- The brain creates a guarding reflex in the muscles around that area, to make sure it’s harder to move so you don’t re-injure it (think soreness, or limited range of ...
- The brain restricts blood flow to the area. ...
What are acupoints?
Background: According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, acupoints are specifically chosen sites of acupuncture manipulation, and also the basis for studying the mechanism of acupuncture. Stimulating different acupoints on the body surface could provide various therapeutic benefits.
Where are the acupoints in the body?
Another prominent difference between the two systems is that body acupuncture points lie in the tendon and muscular region deep below the skin surface, whereas ear acupoints reside in the shallow depth of the skin immediately above the cartilage comprising the auricle.
How do you use acupoints?
Follow these steps:Locate the acupoint using the diagram.Use your thumb or index finger to massage the acupoint with deep and steady pressure. ... Focus on nothing else except massaging the point while applying acupressure. ... Repeat acupressure as often as you would like.
How many acupoints does a human have?
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health.
What is the most powerful acupuncture point?
Of the close to 1,000 acupuncture points on the body, the point identified as 'YINTANG - Hall of Impression' stands out for its use in the relief of a number of health discomforts.
What are the 5 pressure points?
Here's where you can find them, what they do, and how you can manipulate them for your benefit:Heart 7. Share on Pinterest. ... Small intestine 3. Share on Pinterest. ... Lung meridian. Share on Pinterest. ... Inner gate point. Share on Pinterest. ... Outer gate point. Share on Pinterest. ... Wrist point 1. ... Base of the thumb point. ... Hand valley point.
How long should you hold a pressure point?
When it comes to applying acupressure to the face, Baran explains that it's important to use the right technique and find the right balance. “Generally we suggest a mix of pressing and massaging back and forth with one or two fingers, usually for up to at least 2 minutes per pressure point,” she says.
Why do pressure points hurt?
Sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. These sensitive areas are called trigger points. A trigger point in a muscle can cause strain and pain throughout the muscle. When this pain persists and worsens, doctors call it myofascial pain syndrome.
How do you activate a pressure point?
These pressure points sit in the hollow spaces on either side of the spine, just beneath the base of the skull. Activate these points by applying firm pressure with the index and middle fingers of both hands.
What should you not do after acupuncture?
So, what should clients avoid after acupuncture? Clients should avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, cold temperatures, digital screens, and, where possible, stressful situations.
What does it mean when an acupuncture point hurts?
This may be a sign that the treatment is working and the acupuncture point is being activated. You may also feel a heavy or electric sensation. Feelings of warmth may arise at the acupuncture points. If you feel anything that's a severe or sharp pain, you should let your acupuncturist know.
What does it mean when you bleed after acupuncture?
In some cases, the needles may hit a blood vessel, such as a vein or artery (very rare), or even a nerve. If a needle hits a vein, you will likely feel a pinching sensation, and there will be some bleeding. Your therapist will provide pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding, once the needle is removed.
Where are the pressure points that hurt?
0:443:41Painful Pressure Points for Fighting | Escape Chokes; Bigger OpponentsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first one that we're going to talk about is a pressure point just below the ear on the jaw hereMoreThe first one that we're going to talk about is a pressure point just below the ear on the jaw here okay and with these guys be careful. But you can you can take your index finger your middle finger.
What are the 12 meridians of the body?
In total, there are 12 meridians on each side of the body: 3 yin meridians (heart, lung, and pericardium) and 3 yang meridians (small intestine, large intestine, and sanjiao) of the arm, 3 yin meridians (liver, kidney, spleen) and 3 yang meridians (urinary bladder, gall bladder, and stomach) of the leg.
What does it mean when pressure points hurt?
Sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. These sensitive areas are called trigger points. A trigger point in a muscle can cause strain and pain throughout the muscle. When this pain persists and worsens, doctors call it myofascial pain syndrome.
What does it mean when acupuncture hurts?
This may be a sign that the treatment is working and the acupuncture point is being activated. You may also feel a heavy or electric sensation. Feelings of warmth may arise at the acupuncture points. If you feel anything that's a severe or sharp pain, you should let your acupuncturist know.
Why is acupoint important?
It is important that the acupoint has its own specific function to maintain the homeostasis, while the manipulation of acupuncture also play a significant role to this effect. In TCM theory, acupunture treatment evoked acupuncture feeling “ Deqi ” associated with the efficiency of acupuncture.
What is acupoint theory?
According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, acupoints are specifically chosen sites of acupuncture manipulation, and also the basis for studying the mechanism of acupuncture. Stimulating different acupoints on the body surface could provide various therapeutic benefits.
How close are acupoints to verum?
In several acupuncture RCTs, some sham acupoints are defined as being as close as 1 cun (ca. 1.5 cm) to verum acupoints . According to acupuncture textbooks for the description of acupoint location, many acupuncturists or researchers assume that the verum acupoints are small and must be located precisely. In 2008, the localization of 86 acupoints were represented by the WHO Standard on Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region . Nonetheless, according to TCM theories and clinical practices, acupoints are not only some sites, but also various for locations. Because many acupuncturists rely on eliciting the Deqi sensation, and therefore, would produce adjustments to their point localization and the angle of needle insertion to achieve treatment effect . Molsberger et al. examined the localization of 23 commonly used acupoints by 71 physicians who were experienced and trained. They reported significant variability in point size range from 2.7 to 41.4 cm 2 , suggesting that the term “acupuncture field,” rather than “acupuncture point.” Hence, the distance (1 cun) between sham points and verum acupoints or fields in some trials may not far enough to compare, which showed no significant difference between verum acupoints and sham acupoints . Other explanations for the efficacy of sham acupuncture include nonspecific effects such as positive patient expectations, patient-practitioner interaction, the experience of an invasive needling technique, as well as specific biologic effects of skin palpation and needling . It has been speculated that the size of the nonspecific effects associated with acupuncture may be larger than that associated with other interventions (sham acupuncture and placebo acupuncture) . Among these effects, patient expectations, patient-practitioner interaction, and the therapeutic ritual are likely to have the most prominent role . In summary, there is a lack of clear understanding of the mechanisms of acupuncture and of what constitutes an acupuncture point. Well-designed studies are needed to elucidate the complex factors involved and allow the design of appropriate control procedures in clinical studies of acupuncture .
What is the sensation of acupuncture?
During acupuncture, connective tissue, elastic, and collagen fibers entwined around the needle under the local of acupoints to produce a characteristic needling sensation, which was described as “ Deqi ” .
How close are sham acupuncture acupoints?
In several acupuncture RCTs, some sham acupoints are defined as being as close as 1 cun (ca. 1.5 cm) to verum acupoints . According to acupuncture textbooks for the description of acupoint location, many acupuncturists or researchers assume that the verum acupoints are small and must be located precisely.
What is acupoint sensitization?
In recent years, Chen and coworkers put forward the concept of “acupoint sensitization” considering that it is a changing and dynamic site rather than in a stable state for the size and function of the acupoint. That is to say, under pathological circumstance, some acupoints appeared the change of temperature (heat-sensitization) or pain threshold (pain-sensitization). One study showed that the temperature of several points ( CV17, LR14, KI21, CV6, CV4 ) persisted at a high level in hyperplasia of mammary glands patients compared with healthy women . Further research was conducted, which they have observed a “heat-sensitization” phenomenon in a large proportion of patients receiving suspended moxibustion treatment. Patients become thermally sensitized to moxibustion stimulation at certain locations on the body, which indicated by sensations of strong warmth or heat penetrating into the body (heat penetration), warmth spreading around the stimulation site (heat expansion), warmth conducting in certain directions and reaching some body regions or even internal organs remote from stimulation sites (heat transmission), or other nonthermal sensations such as aching, heaviness, pressure, and so forth . Pain-sensitive points are also called the Ashi points in many Chinese ancient medical books. Ashi points were put forward by Chinese physician Sun Ssu-Mo who inserted needles at points of pain in Valuable Prescriptions for Emergencies ( Qianjin Yao Fang ) . It is defined as “Where there is pain, there is a transport point,” that is, the area where you feel tenderness or pain by finger palpation . In a modern context, changes in pain sensitivity are assessed mostly by measuring the pressure pain threshold. Different diseases have different pain-sensitive points. The pain-sensitive points of patients were located in the abdominal and back region of stomach meridia in gastric ulcer or gastritis , while the pain-sensitive points at sanyinjiao ( SP6 ) in premenstrual syndrome . Researchers have used animal models to explore mechanisms of pain sensitization. It is found that acupoints may be sensitized by visceral noxious stimuli and the sensitive degree of acupoints changed according to malfunction of internal organs . Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) were proposed as a mechanism to explain musculoskeletal pain , and they may resemble acupoints in location and function. Because both types of points have consistent anatomic locations, 99.5% of classical acupoints do have pain indications correspondence with MTrPs . MTrPs are defined as hyperirritable tender spots in discrete taut bands of skeletal muscle or fascia that produce local tenderness and referred pain . Recent studies, applying ultrasound imaging techniques and a microdialysis system, show that MTrPs are distinct from adjacent soft tissue and exhibit a unique biochemical profile of substances associated with pain and inflammation . However, the concept of acupoints is clearly broader than MTrPs; MTrPs are much better match to the Ashi points for pain . Thus, MTrPs and acupoints are conceptually impossible to equate completely . It is also of note that dry needling is a technique that refers to the insertion of thin monofilament needles into an MTrP to treat myofascial pain . Although the needles are used, the therapy is based on the Western medicine, which is different from acupuncture in theory .
How does acupuncture help with pain?
In contemporary, the acupuncture-induced analgesic effect has been widely used to alleviate diverse types of pain in both Asian and Western countries. During the last decades, our understanding of how to play an analgesia role of acupuncture has undergone considerable development. Western theories are primarily based on the presumption that acupuncture induces signals in afferent nerves that modulate spinal signal transmission and pain perception in the brain . Moreover, acupuncture activates some brain areas that contribute to descending inhibitory modulation and deactivates multiple limbic areas that contribute to modulating pain emotion . It is suggested that acupuncture is capable of modulating central homeostasis to produce analgesia, supporting the notion that acupuncture regulates the balance of Yin and Yang . The neural mechanisms underlying acupuncture analgesia include that the activation of afferent nociceptive nerve fibers, the spinal and complex brain neural pathways, and various signal molecules . Therefore, acupuncture analgesia is essentially a manifestation of integrative processes at different levels of the CNS between afferent impulses from the pain regions and impulses from acupoints . Moreover, three regulating systems, nervous, endocrine and immune, are involved in maintenance of homeostasis . For example, acupuncture could regulate the brain-gut axis , activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis , and downregulate the hypothalamopituitary-gonadal axis .
What is acupoint injection?
…a method of injecting liquid medicine into acupoints in order to prevent and treat disease. It combines permeating and stimulating functions of needles and medicine, ...
Why is it important to note the term "acupoint injection"?
This is important to note because many research studies have been conducted using the terms 'acupoint injection' and 'trigger point injection' without any major differences between actual methods used in the research.
When was aquapuncture therapy invented?
Acupoint injection therapy also referred to as aquapuncture therapy was developed in China in the early 1950s ( 2) and has been used in China ever since. ( 3 ) Acupoint injection therapy has a Western equivalent in trigger point injection therapy.
What are the hypotheses for acupuncture points?
Hypotheses include neural signaling, with possible involvement of opioid peptides, glutamate, and adenosine, and correspondence to responsive parts in the central nervous system; or mechanical signaling, ...
How many acupuncture points are there?
More than four hundred acupuncture points have been described, with the majority located on one of the main meridians, pathways which run throughout the body and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) transport life energy ( qi, 氣 ). TCM recognizes twenty meridians, cutaneous and subcutaneous in nature, which have branching sub-meridians believed to affect surrounding tissues. Twelve of these major meridians, commonly referred to as "the primary meridians", are bilateral and are associated with internal organs. The remaining eight meridians are designated as "extraordinary", and are also bilateral except for three, one that encircles the body near the waist, and two that run along the midline of the body. Only those two extraordinary meridians that run along the midline contain their own points, the remaining six comprise points from the aforementioned twelve primary meridians. There are also points that are not located on the fourteen major meridians but do lie in the complete nexus referred to as jing luo ( 經絡 ). Such outliers are often referred to as "extra points".
What is the nomenclature of acupuncture?
When acupuncture was adopted in the western world, a standard nomencla ture was developed to unambiguously identify the acupuncture points on meridians. This model achieved wide acceptance and today virtually every book on acupuncture refers to acupuncture points using it.
What is the name of the vessel in the movie "The Conception"?
Also known as Ren, Directing Vessel, abbreviated as CV and named 任脉穴; 任脈 "The Conception Vessel".
Where is Zhongquan on the wrist?
Zhongquan. On the dorsal crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of the common extensor muscle of the fingers. EM36. 二白. Erbai. On the palmer aspect of the forearm, 4 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on both sides of the tendon of m. flexor carpi radialis. EM37.
Is there a naming scheme for extra points on the body?
There is no agreed-on naming scheme for extra points on the body .
Where are trigger points located?
What exactly does this mean? First, it tells you a trigger point is located in a taut band in the muscle or in its fascia. So when you refer to a trigger point you are referring to point in a band of muscle tissue, unlike an acupoint, which is located along a channel, a meridian pathway. The first differentiation that must be made then when talking about trigger points and acupoints lies with their frame of reference, or what I would call the “lens” through which we see the patient. Trigger points exist within the frame of reference of the musculature; acupoints are part of the frame of reference of the Eastern model of health care. From my point of view, trigger points are most effectively used in the treatment of chronic or acute pain; acupoints are most effectively used in the treatment of disease and common ailments and in the maintenance of general health.
What are taut bands?
Individual bands of muscle fiber, taut bands, can be palpated in a contracted muscle. These ropelike, or cordlike bands will range in thickness from the cables that can commonly be palpated in the large erector spinae group, to thin guitar-string like bands that may be palpated in much smaller scalenes when they are contracted. These bands will be tender when palpated. Underlying skeletal structures will be difficult to palpate; in highly contracted muscles, the underlying skeletal structures will be completely obscured to palpation.
What is trigger point in myofascial pain?
A trigger point is “ a hyperirritable locus within a taut band of skeletal muscle, located in the muscular tissue and/or its associated fascia.” (Travell and Simons, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, 1:12).
What is trigger point in postural muscles?
Trigger points commonly develop within these chronically stressed muscles. A trigger point is a tender spot within a taut band of muscle tissue. Both active and latent trigger points commonly develop within chronically shortened postural muscles, and both will be tender to palpation.
Does trigger point go away?
Unless there is direct intervention to eliminate the trigger point, it will not go away. The body will compensate for its presence—and we all know what that means. One muscle group will begin to work differently, compensating for the loss of strength in another, ultimately leading to a Gordian knot of muscular restrictions and physical pain.
