Acupuncture is among the oldest healing practices in the world originating in China more than 5,000 years ago. As part of traditional Chinese medicine - based on the concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qui and imbalance in the forces of yin and yang - acupuncture seeks to aid healing by restoring the yin-yang balance and the flow of qi.

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the insertion of thin metal needles through the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi and restore and maintain health. In the United States, where practitioners incorporate healing traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries, acupuncture is considered part of complementary and alternative medicine.

SEGO Choice suggests using acupuncture as an integrative therapy to help treat the patient for:

• Insomnia
• Bone Pain
• Nausea

Acupuncture is generally a safe therapy with few adverse effects. A qualified practitioner is recommended and will ensure use of properly sterilized needles. Acupuncture is not recommended for those prone to bleeding disorders.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners, requiring that needles be manufactured and labeled according to certain standards. For example; the FDA requires that needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only.

Relatively few complications from the use of acupuncture have been reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and the number of acupuncture needles used. Still, complications have resulted from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of treatments. Practitioners should use a new set of disposable needles taken from a sealed package for each patient and should swab treatment sites with alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting needles.

For more information on many of these treatments, visit the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (www.nccam.nih.gov/), the Cochrane collaboration Complementary Medicine Field (www.compmed.umm.edu/cochrane/index.html)and Duke Integrative Medicine (www.dukeintegrativemedicine.org). These are good sources of high-quality information when researching the safety and effectiveness of a particular treatment.

 

To request more information about The SEGO - We Care Foundation,
please contact us at: wecarefoundation@segynonc.com