Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting thin needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being. It originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. American practices of acupuncture use medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea and other countries. In the United States, the best-known type involves putting hair-thin, metallic needles in your skin.

Research has shown that acupuncture reduces nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy. It can also relieve pain. Researchers don't fully understand how acupuncture works. It might aid the activity of your body's pain-killing chemicals. It also might affect how you release chemicals that regulate blood pressure and flow.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Acupuncture on Wikipedia

. '''Acupuncture''' (from Lat. ''acus,'' "needle" (noun), and ''pungere,'' "prick" (verb) or in Standard Mandarin, zhēn jǐu (針灸), is a therapy technique intended to promote health and well-being, which involves the insertion of needles into "acupuncture points" on the body by trained practitioners. The needles most commonly used in present-day practice are made of stainless steel and are of approximately the same diameter as a medium thickness guitar string (from approximately .01" to .02"). In China, the practice of acupuncture can be traced as far back as the 1st millennium BC, and archeological evidence has been identified with the period of the Han dynasty (from 202 BCE to 220 CE). The practice spread centuries ago into many parts of Asia; in modern times it is a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and forms of it are also described in the literature of traditional Korean medicine where it is called ''yakchim''. Recent examinations of , have located over fifty tattoo on Ötzi's body, some of which are located on acupuncture points that would today be used to treat ailments Ötzi suffered from. Some scientists believe that this is evidence that practices similar to acupuncture were practiced elsewhere in Eurasia during the early bronze age. In the Western countries, acupuncture has adherents (including some medical practitioners), who consider it part of complementary medicine and/or alternative medicine. However, the traditional theory of acupuncture is expressed in terms of concepts ...   [ Read More ]

External Resources

Traditional Chinese Medicine Bookstore Center in China - Offers English books on acupuncture, herbs, qigong, tuina and Chinese wushu. Published in China.

Lookwell, Inc. - Acupuncture pen, hair extensions, anti-snoring aid, and portable sterilization light.

Online Venture - Offers an eye massager and magnetic insole pads based on acupuncture techniques.

CurePeople.com - Products and supplements based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Includes articles an several alternative health topics and a message board.

Herbdot.com - A professional supplier for traditional Chinese medicine, comparative and alternative medicines, and acupuncture. Including herb medical advice.

Ancient Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine - Remedies for a variety of conditions. Also offers bulk herbs and teas.

TaiChi TCM, Ltd. - Herbal remedies, acupuncture and acupressure information, and skin care formulas.

Shanghai Magnet and Biotech, Ltd - Magnetic plaster discs for pain relief and healing, highlighting acupuncture points for proper placement.

Genesen - Acutouch pointers for non-invasive magnetic acupuncture.

Spiritual Healing Instrument - New instrument affects chi by a universal spiritual force. Acupuncture without acupuncture needles.

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