2021-03-16

Acupuncture Goes Mainstream

What is acupuncture?

The term “acupuncture” describes a family of procedures involving the stimulation of points on the body using a variety of techniques. The acupuncture technique that has been most often studied scientifically involves penetrating the skin with thin, solid, metallic needles that are manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation. Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture goes mainstream in the United States. Millions of Americans use acupuncture each year, often for chronic pain. There has been controversy surrounding its value as a therapy and whether it is anything more than placebo. Research exploring a number of possible mechanisms for acupuncture’s pain-relieving effects is ongoing.

Can acupuncture help my blood sugar control??

Extensive studies have been conducted on acupuncture for diabetes, back and neck pain, osteoarthritis/knee pain, and headache. Researchers are now beginning to understand whether acupuncture can be helpful for various health conditions.

How effective is it?

“As one type of multifactorial intervention, acupuncture could be recommended as a supplementary treatment in the management of T2DM, especially in those with obesity or metabolic disorders2.”

Is it acupuncture safe?

Acupuncturists are licensed by the regulatory commission of each state of the US. Acupuncture is considered safe when performed by an experienced, well-trained practitioner using sterile needles. Improperly performed acupuncture can cause serious side effects.

Source: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/introduction

References: