- low back pain
- sciatica
- knee pain
- neck pain
- shoulder periarthritis
- fibromyalgia
- insomnia
- chronic fatigue
- headache
- post-herpetic neuralgia
- depression
- stress syndrome
- allergic rhinitis
- bronchial asthma
- breech presentation
- fertility
- premenstrual syndrome and menstrual pain
- gastrointestinal disorders
What is Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic technique that uses small metal needles to stimulate specific areas of the body called acupuncture points. This stimulation triggers responses in the body involving various systems that regulate homeostasis, the internal balance of our body.
Acupuncture is a discipline of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is becoming increasingly accepted in Western medicine thanks to the integration and complementarity of both systems.
Origins
The origins of acupuncture are uncertain, but it is believed to date back at least 2,500 years, to the time of the Yellow Emperor in early Chinese civilization. Over the centuries, acupuncture evolved into a scientific discipline. In the 1500s, it made its first appearance in the West through translated classical texts and spread during the 1950s, eventually being recognized by European nations and the WHO (World Health Organization).
In Italy, acupuncture is considered a medical act and can only be practiced by doctors with a certified diploma.
How It Works
Acupuncture is based on the principle that the body is composed of energy and that illness or dysfunction is caused by an imbalance of this energy. The acupuncturist uses the therapy to restore energetic balance and return the body to health.
According to Western medicine, the effects of acupuncture are numerous, including pain relief, reduced inflammation, immune system modulation, muscle relaxation, and improved mood with antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
A Holistic Approach to Prevention and Wellness
Acupuncture focuses on the overall well-being of the patient, taking into account the deep connections between mental and physical health. It shifts the therapeutic focus from the disease to the patient, considering habits, emotions, and lifestyle.
Rooted in preventive care since antiquity, this rebalancing practice is part of traditional Chinese medicine. As the old saying goes, "prevention is better than cure", and acupuncture is a therapeutic method that can help prevent illness and improve overall well-being.
How an Acupuncture Session Works
An acupuncture session lasts about an hour and begins with a detailed conversation to understand the patient's needs. The doctor conducts a thorough medical history, investigating many aspects of the patient's daily life.
Even if some questions may seem strange or unrelated to the presented issue, they are essential, and like small pieces of a puzzle, they are indispensable for creating a picture that makes the therapy as tailored as possible to the patient's characteristics and needs.
This is followed by the physical examination, with particular attention to tongue and pulse assessment.
Once this phase is complete, the actual therapy begins with the insertion of the needles; their number may vary (between 10-15), and the areas where they are placed can also change from treatment to treatment and from session to session. Needles are usually positioned on the limbs, back, abdomen, and head— always depending on the issue being treated. The patient remains in a comfortable position, usually lying on their back, and the needles remain inserted for about twenty minutes.
The needles are made of steel and copper, sterile, disposable, and individually packaged. These are needles with a blunt tip, so when they are inserted, they do not tear the tissues but gently separate them without causing bleeding and are almost painless. The sensations that may be experienced include a gentle electric-like sensation, a deep tingling, or warmth under the skin; all sensations that indicate the activation of energy.
Side effects are very rare and local, such as small bruises, tenderness at the insertion point, and mild, temporary irritations.
The number of sessions varies depending on the type of problem being treated, the patient, and their response. Usually, the more chronic and long-lasting the condition, the harder it is to treat, with a minimum of 4-5 sessions up to a maximum of 10.
Main Indications
Acupuncture is an effective therapeutic method for treating a variety of conditions and symptoms, including:
Controlled studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of acupuncture in these conditions.