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Question: What is acupuncture all about?

(Posted by: First L on 2010-01-01 17:03:35)

Im getting it done in a couple days and im kinda nervous because i dont know what there gonna do for so long is it just like putting pressure on certain areas of yorr body anyone who has had this done before can they tell me what its like? Thanks!

Posted by: Gary Y on 2010-01-02, 04:07:39

Hopefully you are not having it done for a condition that requires proper medical attention. Because the evidence says that acupuncture is a placebo treatment only. There is no such thing as meridians or qi, studies have shown conclusively that it does not matter where they stick the needles, or even if they use toothpicks and do not penetrate the skin at all, the effect is the same. The better the testing gets, the worse acupunctue performs. See Rhianna's links. Acupuncture is not without risk: whatstheharm.net/ acupuncture.html

Posted by: mas_khan786 on 2010-01-01, 17:11:15

Acupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating filiform needles into various points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. It doesnt hurt at all only tingles when the needle is inserted.

Posted by: dbobo on 2010-01-01, 17:39:51

Don't worry, it doesn't hurt, I had it done and the treatment cured my "tennis elbow " and I haven't had any recurring pain for the last 20 yrs.

Posted by: jon on 2010-01-01, 17:51:13

Don't worry! It sounds a lot worse than it is. The first time I had it done I was dreading it, but its actually very relaxing. The needles are so small you hardly notice them being put in or taken out. Depending on what you are being treated for will determine where the needles are put. Once in place they are all threaded together and then attached to a machine that makes them vibrate. The machine is set to what you find comfortable. Once in operation it feels like you are being massaged and i personally found it very pleasant after getting over my initial fear. I came out of the session feeling very relaxed. In fact i booked a further 4 sessions. Honestly you will be fine.

Posted by: Rhianna Returns on 2010-01-01, 18:26:23

Needles and not a lot else beyond the placebo effect I'm afraid. There is weak evidence that acupuncture may help mild lower back pain and nausea but both these problems are very subjective. This is quite a good article, have a read:- sciencebasedmedicine.org/ ?cat= 8 sciencebasedmedicine.org/ ?p= 492 It doesn't actually hurt, no.

Posted by: advancedmaster on 2010-01-01, 21:49:20

You're going to be asked a lot of questions about your health history and lifestyle. Be as honest as possible because no matter what you are going in to be treated the practitioner wants to treat your whole person (mind, body and spirit). They should also be looking at your tongue and reading your pulses - this pulse reading is more detailed than a 'blood pressure' reading or 'heart-rate' reading. Together with all of the sign/ symptoms, they will come up with a differential diagnois and a treatment plan. As for the actual treatment, the will insert filiform needles - solid peices of steel about the thickness of your hair (which is different than "hypodermic needles " the kind you get "a shot " from - those have a hole in them and are more painful cuz they gouge a hole in you). The acupuncture insertion will feel like a small prick and is barely noticable. Then, you may feel a tingling or warming, or moving sensation along your arm/ leg/ foot etc. The feeling could be around the needle or even in a different part of the body - ie you could feel the prick in your arm, but you notice your nose clears up.... It should be a very relaxing session - it is not what you think it is. Most people fall asleep while being treated.