Based on traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has been used in different cultures all over the world for thousands of years. Acupuncture is the practice of piercing specific points in the body with fine needles to induce surgical anesthesia, relieve pain and for therapeutic purposes. Despite studies made on acupuncture’s efficacy in treating several medical conditions, acupuncture still remains controversial and an experimental procedure. Its invasive nature makes it difficult to create studies with proper scientific controls. However, acupuncture has been proven by several studies to be effective in treating specific conditions. This type of alternative therapy impacts energy pathways that affect one’s health.
Acupuncture is widely used to treat back pains. People who suffer from chronic back pain report that acupuncture helps them manage the pain and cope with it on a daily basis. Medical scientists are not sure how acupuncture exactly works to treat chronic back pain, but according to some studies, it works like how sham acupuncture (or the use of a toothpick to tap specific points in the body) works.
Other types of pain like migraines, menstrual cramps, headaches and labor pain can also be relieved using acupuncture. This is according to the World Health Organization (WHO). It concluded that this ancient Chinese medicine can effectively treat tension headaches and migraines after reviewing a large body of acupuncture research. According to WHO, respiratory disorders such as allergic rhinitis can also be treated using acupuncture. This type of alternative treatment is said to be more effective than antihistamine drugs and produce fewer side effects. However, acupuncture is still not recommended to replace antibiotic therapy especially in treating symptoms of tonsillitis. Acupuncture has also been found to relieve symptoms of bronchial asthma for short time periods.
Studies also show that acupuncture can treat the aftereffects of stroke. The treatment can also enhance the neurological recovery of a person after a coma or of a person being treated for insomnia. Several mental health practitioners are also turning to acupuncture to treat depression. According to studies, acupuncture trumps psychotherapy in addressing competition stress syndrome. This alternative treatment is also becoming a popular means to get people to stop drinking or smoking excessively.
Acupuncture is also beneficial in treating some digestive disorders. It works better than injections of morphine or anisodamine combined with atropine to treat pain associated with peptic ulcers and other diseases of the stomach. Symptoms related to digestive disorders such as vomiting, nausea, morning sickness and chemotherapy-related illnesses can also be treated by acupuncture.