• Sharebar

Acupuncture is a widely known branch of alternative medicine. It is believed to have been originated in China.The exact date of its origin is still not known. Some experts trace it back to the 4th millennium BC while others place it in the 1st. However, all the experts unanimously point at the “Di Nei Jing” (Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine) as preserving the first ever written record of Acupuncture.

The therapy is based on the concept of “Qi” – the energy force flowing throughout the body along the “Meridians” i.e. special pathways. When these pathways are blocked, the flow of “Qi” is interrupted an illness occurs. This concept was inspired by the water streams, which when blocked, cause floods at one end and dried up areas at the other. There are 14 main meridians running vertically up and down the body. Out of these, there are 6 pairs of meridians that are connected to individual organs. There are also two unpaired midline Meridians. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by “needling”. How these “acupuncture points” are determined, still remains to be a mystery.

While treating an illness, the blockages are isolated and then the needles are inserted at various depths making various angles to the skin surface, using different techniques such as Raising, Thrusting, Twirling / Rotation, Plucking, Scraping, and Trembling depending on the treatment called for. In most cases, a sensation other than pain is induced. This is believed to clear the blockages and restore the equilibrium of “Qi”.

There are nine types of Acupuncture needles, of which only 6 are commonly used today. They vary in length, width of shaft, shape of head and constituent elements such as gold, silver, or steel.

Acupuncture is used to treat multiple ailments such as Cervical Spondylosis, Condylitis, Arthritic Conditions, Headaches of all kinds, Allergic Reactions and relief of muscles spasms.
Following are the varied types of Acupuncture-

  • Moxibustion i.e Acupuncture used in conjunction with heat produced by burning specific herbs. It is used for ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, certain types of paralysis, and arthritic disorders.
  • Electro-Acupuncture i.e. using very small electrical impulses through the Acupuncture needles. It is generally used for analgesia.
  • Sonopuncture i.e. using Lasers and sound waves to stimulate Acupuncture points
  • Auriculotherapy i.e. Ear Acupuncture as an ear is well-connected to many parts of the body. It is used to treat problems ranging from obesity to alcoholism.
  • Cupping i.e. stimulating Acupuncture points by applying suction through a metal, wood or glass jar, in which a partial vacuum has been created. It is used for low backache, sprains, soft tissue injuries, and helping relieve fluid from the lungs in chronic bronchitis.