Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clearly states that illness
occurs due to the blockage of chi in any of fourteen different
meridians. Acupressure and acupuncture both advocate the free
flow of energy without obstructions. Both methods are used to
treat arthritis, allergies, migraine headaches, depression,
menstrual cramps, nausea and anxieties.

Because acupuncture uses very thin, long needles to puncture
the skin it should be performed by an experienced practitioner
who is skilled in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure is
much less technical; it can therefore be learned from a book
and may even be; in some instances, performed on oneself.
Somewhat surprisingly, acupressure was practiced long before
acupuncture became known.

In addition, since acupuncture requires the skilled use of a
tool (needles) it requires much greater accuracy in order to
bring quick relief whereas acupressure is less precise since
the only tool is the practitioners finger. Due to the release
of toxins or through realignment of muscle groups, in some
instances acupuncture can result in some short term, minor side
effects.

Acupressure and acupuncture thus have different effects on the
patient with acupressure having fewer side effects. This may be
somewhat akin to deep tissue massages where there is also less
chance of unforeseen side effects to the patient.

Acupressure and acupuncture are known as Zhen Jiu and Zhi Ya
respectively. They are probably the best known of all
traditional Chinese methods used in treating health imbalances.
Acupuncture is now a very popular alternative therapy for
arthritis pain relief and acupressure makes use of the same
points while using the fingers to manipulate the meridian
points.

By pressing down firmly with the thumb or finger on the groove
that lies between the two large tendons running from the base
of the palm up to the elbow, acupressure is often used to
provide relief for those who are suffering from nausea.
Acupuncture can also achieve the same results through the use
of needles. Both methods have a long history of success and
neither is better than the other, it’s simply a matter of
opinion as to which method is best.

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information on acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

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At first the Communist party in China did not accept the
traditional forms of medical treatment like Acupuncture, but in
time chairman Mao accepted these treatments as an important part
of Chinese medicine. He sent representatives out to research the
different theories and techniques of Chinese medicine. This
research led to a compilation known as Traditional Chinese
Medicine. After the Cultural Revolution only the Traditional
Chinese Medicine findings were accepted and other treatments
were outlawed. This led to a migration of practitioners, who
spread the word about acupuncture to their newfound homes. The
information about acupuncture treatment was brought to the USA
by this means.

Acupuncture treatment has been used in the West since the 17th
Century. The 1st practical use was in 1810 at the Paris Medical
School by Dr Berlioz. He claimed to have some successes with
this treatment. However his medical peers were somewhat
skeptical. John Churchill continued to use this treatment in
the UK in 1821, and published some facts about his treatment of
tympany and rheumatoid arthritis with acupuncture treatment. Dr
Elliotson also used this treatment and published his findings
about treating 42 cases of rheumatoid arthritis with this
method in 1827.

Today acupuncture is widely used in the West. It is mainly used
as therapy but some practitioners even use this treatment as
anesthesia. Doctors in France and Austria have carried out
experiments with using acupuncture as anesthesia and have met
with some success; Russian Doctors have also done some
research. In 1972 a paper was published about acupuncture
points. Russians claim that they have used this treatment for a
wide variety of ailments. The rest of the Western world uses
acupuncture mainly for treating pain.

Acupuncture is still fairly controversial in the medical field
with many doctors and scientists showing a lot of doubt in this
form of treatment. However there are also many success stories.
As more research is done we will be seeing more ways to use
this intriguing form of medical treatment.

About The Author: Zach Thompson works as a Glyconutritional
Consultant. He lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains Virginia. His
clients range from actresses to children with learning
disabilities. For a no-obligation consultattion go to:
http://www.myglyconutrientstore.com/Glyconutrient-Info.php

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Acupuncture is not just for treating ailments. It can also used
by skilled practitioners to improve the patient’s overall health
and lifestyle. Putting acupuncture needles into strategic points
in the body achieves this. This is because certain points in a
patient’s body are associated with certain nerves, and help to
alleviate emotional and physical distress. When you are more
relaxed you will improve your health and be able to do more
with your life.

Life style is one of the key factors in losing weight and when
you change your lifestyle you can often lose weight and keep it
off. Changing your lifestyle has been shown to help with weight
loss more than medications. A couple of the main factors are
relieving stress, and being more active. When you do this you
will be able to lose weight.

So how can acupuncture help you to lose those pounds? This
treatment will not only relieve pain, and allow you to be less
uncomfortable when doing new exercises; it will also give you
more energy. This means you will not only take more exercise
and burn off those pounds you will also relieve your stress.
When you are stressed out your body goes into an alert
condition and will not allow you to lose weight. Relieving
stress will help your body to release those unwanted pounds.

Acupuncture can also help improve circulation and metabolism
allowing you to naturally burn off extra calories. As you lose
weight the natural way without going on diets and taking pills,
you will also feel better and be more inclined to exercise. This
in turn will help you shed those pounds and keep them off with a
healthier lifestyle.

So when all the weight reducing diets and pills just do not
seem to be working, why not give acupuncture treatment a try?
Your overall health will improve and with a new change in
lifestyle you may very well find that acupuncture can help you
lose those pounds and more importantly keep off that weight.

About The Author: Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Consultant.
His clients range from pro athletes and actresses, to cancer
patients and children with Learning Disabilities. To learn if
glyconutrients can help you, visit:
http://www.myglycoshop.net/advancedglyconutrients.htm

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Since 1998, acupuncture weight loss techniques have been
researched in China. This was due to the significant change in
diet of modern living which results in the fattening of the
population.

Acupuncture weight loss techniques boots the endocrine and
digestive systems of the patient, resulting in better digestion
and making the patient feel fuller faster. With the combination
of needles and herbal therapies, the patients goal of losing
weight is almost assured.

The acupuncture points used for acupuncture weight loss are
mostly the stomach, spleen, and kidney points. Other points can
be the mouth, lung, and thyroid. The practitioner will devise a
program that suits the particular patient and is based on their
particular needs.

It is important to note an ill-advised ear acupuncture weight
loss technique commonly known as the Weight Control Ear
Staples. It is based on Western theories and it disregards 90%
of the full treatment. Other dangers include infections and
damage to the ear cartilage. Patience is important as
acupuncture weight loss is a slow holistic treatment. It is
impossible to get the same impact by clipping ones ears with
things. For your own safety, it is advisable to stay away from
this ear acupuncture weight loss technique.

Many patients undergoing an acupuncture weight loss program
only report great results in about a year. Note that an
acupuncture weight loss program does not require a focus on
diet and exercise. The key is to make the patient feel full
faster, and thus eating less. Willpower or spending hours at
the gym is not necessary. On the other hand, Western
practitioners will require the patient to follow a diet and
exercise program. This takes a lot of effort for the patient to
follow.

When undergoing an acupuncture weight loss program, the patient
will have to undergo 2 or 3 or even more treatments per week,
depending on needs. Treatment will involve the use of needles
and the application of low electrical currents. Herbal mixtures
are also used to remove toxins in the body and strengthen the
flow of qi. Each program will start off with a slow and gentle
weight
loss. At this stage, ear acupuncture weight loss practices may
be used by attaching herbal seeds to the ear.

The latter part of the acupuncture weight loss process involves
stabilizing the client and slowly bringing back into the diet
things that may have been eliminated during the treatment. The
idea is to maintain the new weight while allowing the client to
enjoy a normal diet.

So, if losing weight is proving to be a challenge for you, try
an acupuncture weight loss program. It may be all you need!

About The Author: Having difficulty in losing weight? Is your
blood pressure too high? How about your energy level? Improve
all of them here now: http://www.321acupuncture.com Also,
discover acupuncture and its healing ways at
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Many people who have suffered from a stroke have been left with
permanent problems that keep them from taking part in activities
that used to be normal for them. This can include activities
such as speaking, being able to walk, seeing, reasoning,
remembering, and understanding concepts. There are many
treatments that can help stroke patients and some of these
treatments actually use a mirror to get visual clues so that
patient can receive help.

Once Chinese form of alternative medicine that is being used to
treat stoke patients is acupuncture. Acupuncture uses a special
machine to stimulate needles that have been turned into
specific places in the body. While many doctors in the past
have disagreed on the effectiveness of acupuncture, more and
more studies are showing that acupuncture does have some great
benefits. Today acupuncture is more widely accepted in the
medical field and many doctors are seeing the great benefits it
has to offer.

Acupuncture basically offers electrotherapy and is supposed to
help balance the energy in the body. When acupuncture has been
used on stroke patients within the first year after their
stroke it has been found to be very effective. Acupuncture has
helped to improve their speaking and other motor skills, as
well as the way the blood circulates through the body. When a
stroke occurs, it is because of lack of blood flow to a certain
part of the brain, and this causes tissue damage in the brain,
which is permanent. Many stroke patients lose many of the
abilities they used to have and this becomes very frustrating
to them. Rehabilitation is a very important part of stroke
recovery, and using acupuncture as a part of this
rehabilitation can provide wonderful benefits to stroke
patients.

Although acupuncture is relatively new to many peoples�
thinking, it has been around for hundreds of years, originating
with the Chinese. Modern medicine has found that acupuncture
does have many benefits if it is done correctly. If you are a
stroke patient and you decide to turn to acupuncture for help,
be sure that you have it done by someone that is licensed to do
it. You do not want to go to just anyone, but want to find
someone who has a great reputation, so they can help you and
not hurt you.

About The Author: Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at
http://www.alternativehealthadvisor.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.wellness-digest.com.

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But first of all, let?s define what acupuncture is. Acupuncture
is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which has been
practiced for centuries in China and has spread around the
globe in modern times. It is widely practiced in many countries
including the United States. Acupuncture involves piercing the
skin with needles along the energy meridians of the body in an
attempt to heal illness or treat addictions.

Now let?s look at some of the minor side effects which may
occur. These are harmless and should clear up on their own
without further treatment and include bruising, bleeding after
removal of the needle, and psychological effects which might
cause dizziness and fainting. These side effects are similar to
what one would experience with a shot or having blood work
drawn.

We will now examine the rare but serious side effects of
Acupuncture.

Infection

Since the needles pierce the skin, there is the potential for
introducing bacteria into the bloodstream and causing an
infection at the puncture site or elsewhere in the body. An
important consideration is the sterilization process of the
needles to be used so that the chance of the needles being
contaminated is reduced. Also improperly sterilized needles can
transmit AIDS/HIV as well as other deadly diseases such as
hepatitis and encephalopathy (mad cow disease.)

Nerve damage

Nerve damage can occur as a result of a nerve being pierced or
nicked when inserting the Acupuncture needle.

Organ punctures

Inserting the needle deep into the lung can cause a
pneumothorax to develop which means air will escape out of the
lung and be trapped there causing the lung to collapse. The
same potential exists for the other vital organs of the body.
There is the chance a kidney or the protective sac around the
heart could be punctured. There is also a risk of stroke
induced by Acupuncture if the needle is inserted improperly at
the base of the skull.

Luckily, acupuncturists are highly trained to avoid the above
harmful consequences of acupuncture and indeed they are quite
rare. To reduce your risks make sure you go to a licensed
qualified practitioner and ask about their procedures for
sterilizing needles.

About The Author: Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at
http://www.alternativehealthadvisor.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.wellness-digest.com.

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Acupuncture involves using extremely thin long needles, often
described as ?hair thin?. These needles are inserted in various
points on the body to simulate the body?s own healing abilities.

Below are five of the common reasons that acupuncture is used
today:

Acupuncture Controls Allergies

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system reacts to a
substance that is normally harmless to most people. These
substances can be environmental such as pollen and dust, or
they can be from foods such as mild, peanuts, or shellfish.
Allergies can cause mild reactions such as itchy, watery eyes
and runny nose. Sometimes, more severe reactions occur as a
result of an allergic reaction and these can be kidney failure,
heart palpitations, depression, and joint pain. Acupuncture
helps to detoxify the body so the immune system can be
strengthened to the point that allergic reactions no longer
occur.

Acupuncture Strengthens The Immune System

Studies have shown that acupuncture improves the body’s natural
resistance to disease and infection by strengthening the immune
system. Acupuncture increases the level of white blood cells as
well as alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Gamma globulin helps
the body produce immune antibodies and alpha and beta globulin
assist the white blood cells in fighting infection.

Acupuncture Provides Pain Relief

Acupuncture triggers the release of the body’s feel good
chemicals, the endorphins. An increase in the level of
endorphins helps to alleviate pain. Acupuncture further helps
to provide pain relief by balancing the nerve impulses along
the central nervous system.

Acupuncture Assists in Drug Recovery

Chemical dependency can be treated with acupuncture by helping
to reduce the withdrawal symptoms from drugs and alcohol.
Acupuncture helps to reduce cravings, relieves tension, and
generally helps people relax. Acupuncture is used extensively
in drug recovery due to these desirable benefits.

Acupuncture Relieves Stress

Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that stress is related to
liver imbalance, so therefore the treatment for stress is using
acupuncture to restore the energy balance in the liver. Once
this is done, the muscles relax and the patient is stress free.
Stress can lead to many serious life threatening diseases, so
alleviating stress is an important benefit of having an
acupuncture treatment.

The five reasons above are just a few of the many indications
for using acupuncture. If you have a chronic condition, you
should consider this alternative treatment.

About The Author: Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at
http://www.alternativehealthadvisor.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.wellness-digest.com.

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