The History of Acupuncture: From 2500 BC to the 21st Century
Many look for pain relief treatment options besides medication or surgery. A well-known alternative is acupuncture, even though it comes with scrutiny from skeptics. For those curious about this practice but unsure of its reliability or safety, here is a brief history of acupuncture.
Acupuncture is not a new practice. In fact, it was first practiced in 2500 BC by Chinese emperors and doctors before growing popularity around the globe. Fast forward to today’s world, acupuncture has been accepted in the medical community since the mid-1970s. Since then, it has been studied heavily by renowned medical schools, such as Harvard, Standford, and the University of California.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is the process of inserting small needles into a patient’s body. The original Chinese theory of acupuncture starts with a person’s “yin” and “yang,” which create a person’s life force, known as “qi.” Ancient Chinese doctors believed a person’s yin and yang could become imbalanced. Therefore, by inserting needles into certain pressure points on a person’s body, the doctor could rebalance the yin and yang and restore balance to the qi.
The Benefits of Acupuncture
While there may not be any scientific proof of yin, yang, or qi, modern research suggests that acupuncture does work for other reasons. The needles do in fact reach certain pressure points, which are highly sensitive areas of the body. These points can bring pain relief, depending on where they are struck.
What Can Acupuncture Help With?
Acupuncture has been proven to be effective at treating the following ailments:
- Headaches and migraines
- Arthritis
- Muscle Pains
- Sciatica
- Tennis elbow
- Sprains
- Strains
- Facial pain
- Low and high blood pressure
- Certain gastric conditions, such as peptic ulcers
Acupuncture, Fertility, and Pregnancy
Acupuncture has been recommended for a variety of medical conditions that affect fertility. These include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, endometriosis, and issues with ovarian reserve. It can also help relieve some of the side effects associated with fertility drugs, such as bloating, nausea and fatigue, and pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness.
Read more information on acupuncture and infertility here.
Where to Find Acupuncture Treatment in New Jersey
AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine has certified acupuncture therapists ready to help you find pain relief. Start with a consultation with one of our specialists to determine how acupuncture can help your specific ailment and what our treatment sessions include. We have offices in Monroe, Hamilton, and Somerset, New Jersey.
Contact us online to ask about acupuncture treatment.