Acupuncture And Endocrine Conditions​

Acupuncture And Moxibustion

What Is Acupuncture and How Does It Work?

It's a form of traditional Chinese medicine. It aims to correct imbalances of energy, or "chi," in the body. To do that, practitioners use very fine stainless-steel needles to stimulate the body's 14 major energy-carrying channels, or "meridians."

What Conditions Might It Help Treat?

Acupuncture may be part of treatment for chronic pain, such as:

Arthritis

Low back, neck, or muscle pain

Pain after surgery

Some studies have shown it to be an effective treatment for:

Dental pain

Fibromyalgia

You shouldn't rely on acupuncture to treat a chronic or serious illness unless you see a doctor first. Acupuncture may not be the best way to improve your condition. It doesn't replace other medical care, such as physical therapy or medication. For certain conditions, such as cancer, you should get acupuncture only in combination with other treatments.

What Happens During a Session

The person who treats you is called an acupuncturist. He'll swab each area with alcohol before tapping a very thin needle into the site. The number of needles you'll get, where they're placed, and how deeply they're inserted depends upon your particular case.

The needles will stay in place for several minutes to an hour. The acupuncturist may adjust, warm, or electrically energize them to intensify the effect. You may feel some tingling if electricity is used. It should be mild, and you can ask your acupuncturist to dial it down at any time.

Does Acupuncture Hurt?

No. You may feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but it is much less than the prick you feel during a shot, since the needles are much thinner. You may feel a heaviness, numbness, tingling, or mild soreness after the needles have been put in.

Is It Safe?

Yes. When acupuncture is done with disposable needles under clean, sterile conditions, and by a qualified practitioner, complications are very unlikely.