8 Myths Of Medical Acupuncture Explained
Ancient Art—Modern Application
Terry Jeanne, MSOM, L Ac
Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)
Professional herbalist, licensed acupuncturist.
Myth #1 IT HURTS
Unfortunately when many people think of “needles” we viscerally recall our experiences of needle-headed syringes either injecting drugs or withdrawing body fluid. Fortunately, this has absolutely nothing to do with acupuncture. In fact, acupuncture needles have a completely different design, are super thin and insert without harming skin. The only medicine they “contain” is the ability to stimulate your body’s inherent healing capacity. Subsequently the placement of acupuncture needles is typically painless and actually relaxing. Lastly, there are also non-needle or needle-free techniques that can be used.
Myth #2 IT’S ONLY FOR PAIN RELIEF
Acupuncture is most well known for its ability to treat many types of pain. The frequently dramatic results, with headaches, shingles, or joint injuries, seem to have contributed to misunderstanding that less than dramatic changes are somehow not effective. But acupuncture is an ideal way to compliment overall health. Many people continue care even after their initial complaints resolve. Moreover, conditions not associated with much pain, (and some not helped by usual approaches) can also be effected through Oriental Medicine. Digestive difficulty, infertility, macular degeneration, asthma, irritability, and even the common cold, are examples.
Myth #3 IT’S AGAINST MY RELIGION
Professionally trained acupuncturists are never required to subscribe to any particular religious views. Early cultures, whether Eastern or Western, made little effort to separate science from predominant religions. Since Oriental Medicine has been recorded for at least 25 centuries, early materials reflect views of the times in which they were written of course. Acupuncturists utilize the incredibly sophisticated organizing principles of your body, not religion, to effect healing.
Myth #4 YOU HAVE TO “BELIEVE” IN IT
Belief in acupuncture or Oriental medicine is not necessary to experience improvements. Likewise the effects are not a distraction or “placebo.” Animal patients, by way of example, are treated effectively with acupuncture. On the other hand, the effects can be so dramatic that it actually is hard to accept something so simple, as stimulating such profound spontaneous change in your body.
Myth #5 IT HAS NO “SCIENTIFIC BASIS”
Just because it seems very strange that stimulating a point on the shin is correlated with immediate release of a frozen shoulder, for example, this does not mean it is impossible (or even improbable for that matter.) MRI’s and other modern studies demonstrate aspects of the clinical observations of centuries of use of acupuncture.
Myth #6 IT’S UNREGULATED
Many states have taken steps to recognize the highly specialized training of acupuncturists and offer means to licensure so that the public may benefit. A licensed acupuncturist typically has had hundreds of hours of supervised clinical training and thousands of classroom hours, as well as board exams, and other costly criteria. You should feel free to ask your practitioner about their training or experience, including the use of traditional herbal medicine formulas.
Myth #7 IT’S ONLY FOR THE ELITE
While acupuncture is great to combat stress and is used for cosmetic enhancement, it is also very effective for a wide range of significant health challenges. Acupuncture will work just as well on you as it does on celebrities and professional athletes. Excellent Oriental medical care does not require extreme diets. It is very complimentary to mainstream Western allopathic medicine and numerous other therapies.
Myth # 8 IT’S A MAGIC WAND
Some people will have a health problem treated once and never have that problem again – but this is not very common with any type of medicine. Oriental medicine works with a multi-faceted, complex, healing mechanism generally known as you! While the precise biological mechanisms are not completely understood, acupuncture is not some Hollywood trick and may take time and dedication to be fully utilized. There are, in essence, no rules about your capacity for healing. Thus the success rate at which your individual health response may well occur is unique to you.
Terry Jeanne, MSOM, is a licensed professional acupuncturist and herbalist, involved in the Chattanooga community. She encourages you to consult with her even if you have “tried” acupuncture before. In-office initial consult is no charge to you.
423 400-3884
423 553-9995
www.SunSoulAcupuncture.com
Copyright T. Jeanne, SunSoul Healing Arts; Chattanooga, TN, USA. This information is open source provided copyright is retained.
