The acupuncturist is the expert who performs acupuncture. He or she may employ needles or other devices, depending on the type, to achieve harmony and balance in the body.
You must first answer a few questions before you can proceed. After that, you'll have a physical exam to check your pulse and examine the shape, colour, and coating of your tongue. Other things that will be examined are the colour and texture of your skin, as well as your posture, as these will provide clues to your health.
Only then will you be instructed to lie down on a padded examination table, and needles will be put into your skin. The difference with this type of needle is that it twirls and jiggles as it is pushed deeper into the body.
You might not feel the needles at all, or if you do, it will be a fleeting twitch. Once they are inserted, they will be left there for 15 to 30 minutes, which may cause you to feel quite relaxed and tired, to the point of dozing off. When the session is finished, the needles are withdrawn, and you are free to go.
Acupuncture is more effective in some circumstances when the needles are heated prior. Moxibustion is the name given to this practice. The acupuncturist ignites a tiny bunch of the dried plant known as moxa or mugwort and places it over the needles. The herb, which burns slowly and emits a little smoke and a nice, incense-like odour, will never come into contact with your skin.
Electrical acupuncture is another option. Electrical cables are connected to the needles, and a weak current travels through them, causing no or little feeling.
In order for your treatment to be successful, the acupuncturist may additionally prescribe herbs.
When looking for an acupuncturist, make certain that they are properly qualified. Before obtaining one, he or she must first finish three years of instruction at a recognised institution of oriental medicine.
Aside from their credentials, there are a few questions you should ask while selecting an acupuncturist. You should be familiar with the many types of acupuncture, as some do not utilise needles to treat patients.
Although no studies have been conducted to indicate that one technique is superior to the other, some patients prefer one over the other.
Another topic you should ask and discuss further is how long the treatment will last. Patients suffering from chronic illnesses will need to be treated for months before any improvements can be visible. Because you must visit the clinic 2 to 3 times per week, this will help you plan your schedule.
Acupuncturists, like medical doctors, are there to help you feel better. If you are not seeing any progress with this expert, you may need to seek the assistance of another specialist.
Acupuncture Types
Acupuncture comes in a variety of forms. Whichever you choose, they are all intended to achieve the same thing: reduce pain or treat specific conditions.
The first is known as TCM-based acupuncture. It employs eight concepts of complementary opposites to achieve physical harmony. Among these are yin/yang, internal/external, excess/deficiency, and hot/cold.
The next type of acupuncture is known as French energetic acupuncture. MD acupuncturists frequently utilise this. Meridian patterns, particularly yin-yang pairs of major meridians, are highlighted here.
Another is Korean hand acupuncture, which practitioners think has qi concentrations in the hands and feet and that putting acupuncture needles in these places is good for the entire body.
Auricular acupuncture is also practised since it is thought that the ear is a microcosm of the body. Acupuncture needles are put in certain locations on the ear to treat certain addiction disorders.
Physical therapists frequently use myofascial-based acupuncture because it entails feeling the meridian lines for sore areas before administering needles because this is where aberrant energy flows.
Japanese acupuncture approaches known as “meridian therapy” place a greater focus on needling technique and sensing meridians in diagnosis.
Electromagnetic energy impulses can also be used since the body generates tiny electrical discharges that alter the function, growth, and maturity of specific types of cells. By putting needles in certain regions, the body's neurotransmitters are stimulated and altered, helping the patient feel better following therapy. This is also utilised for diagnostic and testing at times.
Acupuncture can also be performed without the use of needles. Sonopuncture, for example, employs an ultrasound instrument to transfer sound waves to specific locations on the body to treat a patient. A tuning fork or other vibration devices are used by some practitioners.
Another is acupressure. In this case, the professional will use their hands to alleviate the discomfort. This can be used on its own or in conjunction with other manual healing treatments.
The number of treatments required is determined by the patient's condition. On average, this could be 10 to 5 treatments each month, 2 to 3 times per week. The cost varies as well, with estimates ranging from £40 to £150. Some insurance companies now cover it completely or partially, so check your policy to see whether this is included.
Which acupuncture technique should you try? That is all up to you. All of them are successful, so talk to your doctor about it and do some research so you know what you're getting yourself into. Each of these procedures is painless, so simply relax and let the professionals handle the rest.
As with traditional medicine, don't expect to see results right away; it takes time, so have an open mind.
This article was brought to you by www.orientalmedicine.co.uk
