Acupuncture is a very old procedure (over 4,000 years) that is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has a very long history. The western name acupuncture is composed of the words acus (lat. = point, needle) and pungere (lat. = to prick). The procedure is defined as the insertion of needles at specific acupuncture points located along meridians (energy pathways). In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is no separate term for acupuncture. What is commonly used is the term zhen jiu. This means needles and moxibustion (targeted application of heat). There are three forms of acupuncture:
- Insertion of needles – acupuncture.
- Treatment with heat – moxibustion
- Massage – acupressure
Acupuncture is understood as part of a holistic medicine and is practiced in China in combination with Chinese drug therapy, massage, dietetics, exercise and other elements. Acupuncture practiced in Western countries differs mainly in its understanding of disease; energetic disturbance patterns are not the focus here. In the past, acupuncture was counted as alternative medicine, but today it is considered a complementary medicine procedure in Germany.
The procedure
Acupuncture is a procedure that, in the TCM sense, does not heal what has been destroyed, but restores disturbed flow conditions by removing congestion and influencing the conduction of blood, body fluids, energy and heat. Acupuncture creates energy balances, i.e. it restores the balance between different regions of the body and directly influences the organ system through the surface. The acupuncture points are located on the meridians. Meridians (Jing) are imaginary lines on the surface of the body, connected to each other by collaterals (luo), forming an energy network. Qi or chi, the life energy, circulates in the meridians and its flow can be influenced by acupuncture. Other basic concepts of TCM are “Yin and Yang” whose interplay can also be applied to medical concepts. The general effects of acupuncture, based on scientific principles and valid in Western countries, can be understood as follows:
- Nervous-reflex effect – analgesic effect (pain relief) mainly by the release of endorphins produced naturally in the body, but also by inhibiting the pain-conducting nerve pathways in the spinal cord.
- Vasoactive effect – influence on the microblood circulation around the injection site through the release of vasoactive peptide (VIP).
- Humoral-endocrine effect – influencing the release of endorphins (hormones of happiness) and serotonin; influence on cortisone production.
- Musculofacial effect – influencing or detonating the muscles.
- Activation of the immune system
During the treatment, the patient should be comfortable, the room should be pleasantly warm and the cooling of the body should be avoided by light blankets. The patient should not have eaten rich before, but also not feel hungry. Furthermore, the patient should be relaxed on a couch, e.g. in a supine position, supported by pillows or a knee roll if necessary. The needle can now be inserted at different angles, either vertically (90°), obliquely (30-60°), or flat or horizontally (< 15°). The techniques used in needle application are tremendously varied, both in execution and effect. For this reason, they will not be explained in detail here. During a session, the therapist uses as few needles as necessary, a maximum of 16. The acupuncture points are selected individually by the experienced therapist depending on the disease and the therapy goal. The following specific acupuncture points are examples:
- Source points – have a balancing effect on the meridians and strengthen the effect of other points.
- Alarm points – these points are located on the front of the trunk and are treated for chronic diseases and disorders of the internal organs.
- Lou (passage) points – have a balancing effect.
- Consent points
- Cardinal points – turn on special meridians.
- Ancient points – used for allergic, dermatological, psychological and internal diseases.
- Toning points – are said to have a toning effect
- Sedative points – are intended to have a sedative effect
- Reunion points – points located where meridians closely pass each other or overlap.
- Eight Influential Points – these points influence the entire organ system.
Benefit
Acupuncture is a very versatile procedure that is becoming increasingly popular, especially in Western countries. It now has a permanent place in the treatment of patients for many different ailments.
