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Acupuncture is a therapeutic procedure from Traditional Chinese Medicine that consists of inserting and manipulating fine needles into precise points of the body, called acupuncture points, with the aim of curing or relieving an ailment.
Through the needles it seeks to unblock any obstructions that may occur in the meridians or channels, through which the energy flows activating the central nervous system (brain and dorsal spine) that transmits signals to the muscles.
The objective is to trigger chemical and hormonal reactions in our body, that restore the balance of the organs and the patient’s health.
Auricular acupuncture, also called ear acupuncture or auriculotherapy, which is a practice in which we apply Vaccaria seeds, also called Huitzil seeds, on the surface of the auricle. These grains or seeds are adhered with a dressing or patches to the acupuncture points, to stimulate them, keeping them affixed during the number of days established by the acupuncturist.
Electroacupuncture, which is an acupuncture technique in which the inserted needles are connected to an electrical stimulation device that generates a gentle current that flows through the needles to stimulate the acupuncture points. The therapist will regulate the intensity and frequency of the electrical stimulation according to the objective of the treatment.
Chinese acupuncture, which is the most well-known and widely practiced form worldwide, is based on the theory of meridians, energy channels that run through the body. Chinese acupuncturists use thin needles to stimulate these points along the meridians, with the aim of balancing the flow of energy and promoting overall health and well-being.
Korean acupuncture shares similar roots with Chinese acupuncture but also presents some distinctive differences. In the Korean tradition, greater importance is placed on the theory of “Tsubos”, which are specific points in the body where vital energy is concentrated. Korean acupuncturists use shorter and softer needles to stimulate these points, and often combine acupuncture with other techniques such as moxibustion (heat application) and digitopuncture (finger pressure).
Japanese acupuncture, which is characterized by its gentler and more subtle approach. Japanese acupuncturists use extremely thin needles and employ a more superficial insertion technique. Additionally, Japanese acupuncture is based on the philosophy of “Hara”, which refers to the abdomen as the energetic center of the body. Japanese acupuncturists may also utilize more detailed diagnostic techniques, such as abdominal palpation, to determine energy imbalances in the body
This style of acupuncture is based on the teachings of Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, a prominent Vietnamese acupuncturist. It is a combination of traditional Chinese acupuncture and French acupuncture techniques, and includes the use of ear acupuncture and abdominal acupuncture. Vietnamese acupuncture is known for its emphasis on palpation and pulse diagnosis.
Best for: Vietnamese acupuncture is known to work best for people with digestive issues, chronic pain, and mental health concerns.
Five Element Acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that focuses on the five elements of nature: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Practitioners of this style believe that each element corresponds to specific organs in the body and that imbalances in these elements can lead to illness.
Best for: It works best for those with emotional issues, hormonal imbalances, and other conditions related to organ dysfunction.
Electroacupuncture is a style of acupuncture that involves the use of electrical stimulation. Practitioners of this style use needles that are connected to a device that generates electrical pulses. This style is often used for pain management and other conditions.
Best for: Electroacupuncture works best for conditions such as chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological issues.
Dry needling is a style of acupuncture that is often practiced by non-acupuncturists and other healthcare professionals. It involves the insertion of needles into trigger points, which are tight knots of muscle tissue that can cause pain and other symptoms.
Best for: Dry needling works best for musculoskeletal issues, such as back pain, headaches, and sciatica.
Medical acupuncture is based on the principles of Western medicine and anatomy, and is often practiced by physicians or physical therapists in addition to acupuncturists. Medical acupuncture uses the same acupuncture points as traditional acupuncture, but the treatment is based on a diagnosis using Western medical concepts.
Best for: Medical acupuncture is often used to treat pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Auricular acupuncture (ear acupuncture) is a style of acupuncture that involves the use of acupuncture points on the ear. Practitioners of this style believe that the ear is a microsystem of the body and that stimulating these points can treat a wide range of conditions.
Best for: Auricular acupuncture works best for those with addiction issues, anxiety, and chronic pain.
Scalp acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that involves the use of acupuncture points on the scalp.
Best for: Scalp acupuncture works best for conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.
Sports acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that is specifically designed to help athletes and active individuals recover from injuries and improve their performance. It incorporates traditional acupuncture techniques with sports medicine principles to help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension, and improve overall function.
Best for: Sports acupuncture works best for people with sports injuries, joint pain, and muscle strains, as well as those looking to enhance their athletic performance.
APM was developed by Dr. Mark Seem and is based on the integration of traditional Chinese acupuncture with western medical concepts. It incorporates techniques from classical acupuncture, along with trigger point dry needling to treat pain and physical symptoms of stress.
Best for: It works best for acute and chronic pain, headaches, digestive issues, heart palpitations, pelvic pain, and low back pain.
French Energetic Acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that combines TCM principles with modern knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Practitioners of this style use palpation and other diagnostic techniques to identify imbalances in the body and use acupuncture to restore balance. It works best for people with conditions such as allergies, asthma, and chronic pain.
This style of acupuncture is based on the idea that the meridians are a complex system of energy pathways that run throughout the body. Practitioners use a combination of pulse diagnosis and palpation to identify imbalances in the meridians and select points for treatment. This style emphasizes the use of the eight extraordinary meridians, which are considered to be the deepest and most powerful meridians in the body.
Acupressure is a style of acupuncture that involves the use of pressure instead of needles. Practitioners of this style use their fingers, palms, elbows, or other devices to apply pressure to specific points on the body to promote healing.
Best for: It works best for people who are uncomfortable with needles and for conditions such as chronic pain, stress, and headaches.
The meridians (jingluo) are the channels through which qi (vital energy) and xue (blood) circulate in the body, unfolding an extensive network that connects the 6 organs (zang) and 6 bowels (fu) described in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
There are 12 main meridians, associated with each of the organs and bowels, and 8 extraordinary meridians that intertwine with the main meridians, regulating excess or deficiency of energy and blood.
The 361 classical acupuncture points are located along the trajectory of the main meridians, where through the needles we activate circulation of energy and blood in case of blockage or stagnation.
Graphically, the meridians communicate the upper part of the body with the lower part, the surface of the body with the interior of the body, that is, the organs and bowels, forming a structural or integral unit.
We could use the analogy of a subway network, with its different lines, entrances or stops and intermodal or transfer stations that connect the lines, where a breakdown in a section of one of the lines affects the entire network.
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Musculoskeletal diseases: cervicalgia, lumbalgia, dorsalgia, sciatica, tendinitis, shoulder, elbow and knee pain, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, spurs and osteoarthritis.
Immunological diseases: allergies, rheumatoid arthritis.
Neurological-vascular diseases: headaches, migraines, sequelae of stroke, peripheral neuropathy, Bell’s palsy and trigeminal neuralgia.
Psychological diseases: stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Gastrointestinal diseases: peptic ulcer, hiatal hernia, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, gastric hyperacidity, etc.
Respiratory diseases: colds, flu, asthma, bronchitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis and rhinitis.
Gynecological and reproductive diseases: infertility, amenorrhea, irregular periods, dysmenorrhea or menstrual pain, endometriosis, fibroids, polyps, cysts, menopause, premenstrual syndrome, etc.
Andrological: impotence, premature ejaculation and prostatitis.
As preparation for an acupuncture session, it is advisable to avoid heavy meals 2 hours before the session.
One should not go on an empty stomach to the consultation nor undergo an osteopathy or chiropractic treatment on the same day.
It is also recommended not to drink liquids 30 minutes after treatment or bathe or swim in the 2 hours following the acupuncture session.
In the case of a first acupuncture visit, an interview will be carried out, where the patient’s explanations are listened to and a series of questions are asked regarding their medical background and symptomatology of their ailments.
For example, in the case of a pain condition, they will be asked about when it manifests (at rest or during activity), when (during the day or night), and where (the points or area of the body where it is located).
Subsequently, the diagnosis will be established through observation and palpation (of the face, tongue, palms of the hands, back, pulse…) since, from the perspective of TCM, pathological changes in the internal organs are reflected at the superficial level of the body.
Once the necessary information has been gathered, the attending acupuncturist will be in a position to make an accurate diagnosis and decide on a treatment plan, with the objective not only of eliminating the symptoms but, more importantly, treating the causes and origin of the disease.
In the hands of a good professional, the insertion of acupuncture needles usually produces no more than a slight tingling or mild cramp. It should be borne in mind that the intensity of this perception will vary according to the patient’s sensitivity.
Once the needles are applied, the patient remains silent in the booth for an approximate time of 1 hour, and the acupuncturist may manipulate the needles throughout the acupuncture session for the treatment to have the desired effects.
It is common for the patient to enter a state of relaxation, even falling asleep during the acupuncture session.
It’s imperative to note that acupuncture needles are completely sterile and disposable, which eliminates all possibilities of transmitting infectious diseases. When inserted by a qualified and experienced acupuncturist, they pose no risk of tissue injury.
In 1996, the World Health Organization convened a meeting of world experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine and published their conclusions in a document titled “Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials.” In this document, the WHO reaffirmed its position expressed since 1979, stating that acupuncture treatments are entirely safe when performed by a properly trained professional. Moreover, acupuncture does not present the toxicity of some drugs and is not associated with adverse effects.
The effectiveness of acupuncture against chronic pain is comparable to morphine preparations but without the adverse effects of morphine, which can lead to dependence in patients if tolerance develops to medically administered doses.
OMD, AP, PhD
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