Acupuncture: Fact and Fiction

There are many myths surrounding the practice of acupuncture. It is not a conventional practice, so many people don’t know what to think.

Many people think that is painful and dangerous because of the use of needles. The needles used in acupuncture treatments are actually very fine. People receiving acupuncture barely feel anything at all when the needles are inserted, much less pain, it is not uncommon for people not to feel the needles at all. The needles used during acupuncture are disposable, so people don’t need to worry about the needles being unclean and unsanitary.

A lot of people are convinced that acupuncture does not actually work. They credit people feeling better to the placebo effect, this means that people simply think that they are feeling better because they believe in the power of the treatment. There have been studies conducted on this, and it has been found that actually does stop pain.

A great deal of people think that acupuncture can only treat pain. Acupuncture can actually help people with sprains/strains, allergies, insomnia, and asthma. It can also help with infertility and drug or alcohol addiction. Many people do not know that acupuncture can actually help with emotional problems as well. This treatment can help people who are dealing with anxiety and depression. It can also help with other things such as, fear, panic attacks, anger, and grief.

Another common misconception is that acupuncture cannot deliver long term benefits. Acupuncture is traditionally used to help strengthen a person’s immune system. Acupuncture treatments can help the immune system function better so that it prevents illnesses such as colds. It also is helpful in reducing a person’s stress, and most people know that too much stress negatively affects the immune system, making someone more susceptible to illness.

There seems to be a lot of people who think of acupuncture as just another medical “fad.” Although acupuncture has not been used in the United States for a very long time (early 1980’s), but it has been used in China for over 3,000 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized acupuncture as being able to help alleviate over 43 common illnesses.

It is also believed by some that acupuncturists are not real medical professionals. This belief probably comes from people knowing that when acupuncture began in the United States, it was not regulated, but this is not true today. People wishing to become acupuncturists must go through a graduate program lasting 3-4 years focusing on acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncturists obtain their license after passing a series of certification tests, and must keep that license in order to practice. This branch of medicine is regulated the same way others are, in fact, many hospitals have at least one acupuncturists as part of their staff. Some people’s insurance even covers acupuncture treatments.