Oral acupuncture according to Gleditsch is a therapeutic and diagnostic procedure established by the German physician and acupuncturist J. M. Gleditsch. Traditional acupuncture (lat. acus: needle; pungere: to prick) is an alternative medical procedure derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is based on the assumption that through the gentle insertion of fine needles, the dynamics of the energy system, the so-called meridians, can be influenced in favor of healing. Gleditsch discovered the so-called somatotope of the oral cavity during his studies of the patients he treated as a dentist and ear, nose and throat specialist. The term somatotope is used here to describe the local projection of the body and its organs onto the oral cavity. The somatotope of the oral cavity, like the ear somatotope (ear acupuncture, auricolotherapy), is also called a microsystem. This means that e.g. the spine of the patient is reflected in special points (oral acupuncture points) of a certain region of the oral cavity. This connection enables therapeutic treatment of e.g. a diseased spine by stimulating the acupuncture points. The following text provides an overview of the procedure and theoretical background of oral acupuncture.
Indications (areas of application)
- Chronic periodontitis (bacterial inflammation of the periodontium/parodont) – to stabilize mucosal functions.
- Chronic gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) – to stabilize the mucosal functions.
- Hemiparesis headache
- Susceptibility to infections
- Migraine
- Psychosomatic complaints
- Tension headache
- Trigeminal neuralgia – pain originating from the trigeminal nerve (large facial nerve).
- Pain and discomfort in the area:
- Cervical spine (Cervical spine)
- Thoracic spine
- Lumbar spine
- Sacroiliac joint (ISG; sacroiliac joint)
- Hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and elbow joint.
- Temporomandibular joint
Contraindications
- Aphtae – small inflammation on the oral mucosa.
- Denture pressure points
- Inflammations
- Wounds
- Infections in the area of the oral mucosa
The procedure
The peculiarity of oral acupuncture is that it is not skin points, such as ear acupuncture, but mucosal points. In conventional acupuncture, the positive effect is achieved by the dwelling of the needles in the corresponding skin point. The stimulation of the mucosal points is done by injecting physiological saline solution or a local anesthetic (local anesthetic). Placing needles for a longer period of time is naturally not possible, as this would be too dangerous. The anesthetic does not contain any vasodilating or constricting additives, so the treatment has no systemic consequences. Oral acupuncture points can be distinguished from their surroundings due to their increased sensitivity to pressure and are divided into groups:
- Vestibule points – these points are located in the mucous membrane of the lips and cheeks.
- Retromolar points (nine area) – these points are located in the area behind the wisdom teeth.
- Points of the ascending mandible – these points are located approximately halfway between the upper and lower jaws at the anterior margin of the ascending lower jaw (mandible).
- Frenulum points – points located in the area of both the upper and lower labial frenulum.
- Extraoral points – points that are located outside the oral cavity and are formed by point propagation.
Locating acupuncture points is done by lightly touching the mucous membrane. In most places, these touches are barely noticed. If a point is hit, which is in need of therapy, the patient recognizes this by a much more intense sensation and can tell his attending physician. Subsequently, the affected point is stimulated so that a targeted positive remote effect is produced on a diseased structure in need of treatment. Some practical examples of acupuncture points include:
- Kidney, bladder – in the area of the incisors (Latin Dentes incisivi, shortened only Incisivi, singular Dens incisivus to incidere – “to cut into”).
- Liver, gall bladder – in the area of the canines (Latin Dens caninus, plural Dentes canini, often just Canini).
- Lungs, large intestine – in the area of the anterior molars.
- Stomach, spleen – in the area of the posterior molars (Molar (Dens molaris (from Latin molaris “millstone”), (Pl. Dentes molares) is a large molar tooth, also called grinder).
- Heart, small intestine – in the area of the wisdom teeth (synonyms: third molars, Dentes serotini, Dentes sapientes).
Possible complications
No undesirable side effects are observed when oral acupuncture is performed properly
Benefits
Oral acupuncture is quick and effective to perform and is a useful adjunct to conventional conventional medical therapy. By stimulating specific organ points, the body’s own regulatory mechanisms are stimulated, and the patient’s body is enabled to mobilize its self-healing powers.
