Acupuncture-moxibustion

How Acupuncture came to the USA

In 1971, Dr. Henry Kisinger visited China for early preparation of President Richard Nixon’s visit to China. Mr. James Reston, who was the entourage reporter travelling with the delegation, had an appendix eruption during their visit. Mr. Reston had to undergo an emergency appendix operation (surgery), due to having appendicitis. During his hospital stay in China, James’ pain was controlled by acupuncture. This was quite surprising and amazing to the other travelers in the group who had never heard of such an idea. Later, James wrote an article in the New York Times telling of his own experience about being hospitalized in China. Since then, knowledge about acupuncture has been introduced to the American people. Acupuncture is now legal in most states and more are being added every year. In Georgia, the law regarding Acupuncture was changed on July 31, 2000. Not only could MD and DO doctors receive a license to perform acupuncture, but also persons who are certified with an acupuncture diploma from NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) are able to apply for a license to do acupuncture. This law enables patients who need acupuncture treatments a more convenient and easier way to find local acupuncturists in their area. It also gives patients who suffer from pain or other symptoms a more natural, alternative and holistic method for treatments. This law also protects both acupuncturists and patients. Acupuncture, as mentioned in the book “Alternative Medicine Online” written by Ralph Moss, Ph.D., stated; “Acupuncture - was correspondingly mystical and artistic” - No longer. The National Institute of Health consensus conference in 1997 recognized Acupuncture (and by extension - Traditional Chinese Medicine) as a legitimate branch of scientific medicine. They concurred that Acupuncture as it is known in the west, had a long and dynamic history, which began to take form nearly 5,000 years ago. TCM incorporates a variety of interrelated and highly effective modalities into a medical system, which takes each individual into account as a whole entity, rather than simply treating diseases. Acupuncture has received on enormous boost in the last few years and seems destined to be accepted and incorporated into Western medicine.

Yin and Yang – The Basic Theory of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is only a portion of TCM. Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, Organs and Meridians, Chi and Blood – are the main theories of TCM. These theories have been used to guide TCM doctors to find out what is going on with their patients and how to treat them. Acupuncture is applied and based on these theories. Yin and Yang is the very basic theory among them all. TCM’s theory is that everything in the universe can be divided into two opposite sides - Yin and Yang. Health is the symbol of balancing the Yin and Yang. When the balance of Yin and Yang is destroyed, various kinds of diseases will arise from the physical body. The symbol of Yin is water. It refers to the dark, weak, female and negative. The symbol of Yang is fire. It refers to the bright, strong male and positive. Yin and Yang are two opposite powers that exist in one unit of the body. They must keep their balance relatively in order to remain strong. “Tai Chi” is the symbol of the balance of Yin and Yang. The circle is divided into half white and half black. There is black in the white part and white in the black part. Chi means vital energy and life force. The flow of Chi in the body has to rely on the entire body’s meridian system to flourish. If there is no Chi, there is no life. If Chi is low; we will feel low energy, sluggish, listless and tired easily. If Chi is too high; we will feel anxious, anxiety, nervous and restless. Acupuncture can suppress the hyperactive Yang and nourish Yin; it can also strengthen deficient Yang and remove stagnation in order to balance the whole body to obtain optimal health.

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat?

Acupuncture is very effective to control pain that has been recognized by more and more Western medicine doctors. However, in China, acupuncture is also used to treat internal problems as well, such as; Insomnia, Depression, Herpes Zoster and Indigestion. Sometimes, if used with other segments of TCM, Acupuncture can get better results. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) promulgated in 1979, the following illnesses were included for Acupuncture treatments:

Acute And Chronic Gastritis,

Acute Bronchitis,

Acute And Chronic Pharyngitis,

Acute Bacillary Dysentery,

Acute Conjuctivitis,

What Conditions Can Acupuncture Treat? (Continued)

Acute Sinusitis,

Acute Rhinitis,

Acute Tonsilitis,

Bronchial Asthma,

Cataract (without complications),

Central Retinitis,

Cervicobrcahial Syndrome,

Chronic Duodenal Ulcer (pain relief) and Acute Duodenal Ulcer (without complications),

Common Cold,

Constipation,

Diarrhea,

Disorder of the Eye,

Disorder of the Mouth,

Facial Palsy (early stage),

Frozen Shoulder,

Gastric Hyperacidity,

Gastrointestinal System,

Gingivitis,

Headache,

Hiccough,

Intercostals Neuralgia,

Low Back Pain,

Meniere’s Disease,

Migraine,

Myopia (in children),

Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorder,

Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction,

Nocturnal Enuresis,

Osteoarthritis,

Paralytic ileus,

Pareses Following A Stroke,

Peripheral Neuropathies,

Post-extraction Pain

Respiratory System,

Sciatica,

Sequelae of Poliomyelitis (early),

Spasms Of Esophagus And Cardia,

Tennis Elbow,

Toothache,

Trigeminal Neuralgia,

Upper Respiratory Tract