Acupuncture - What is It and How Does It Really Work?
By C. Bailey-Lloyd
What's in a word? Acupuncture is derived from Latin and the literal
translation is "needle prick" from "acus" and "pungere."
The ancient healing arts of acupuncture and oriental medicine are readily
taught throughout the world.
To describe acupuncture, one must first get to the root of its historical
backdrop. Dating back as far as 2,000 BC, this age-old art parallels the Han
dynasty. Even earlier than that, acupuncture may have possibly originated
almost 4,000 years ago, based on hieroglyphic findings and stone (bian) and
ceramic acupuncture needles, which have been documented throughout the
centuries.
But what exactly is acupuncture? In general, it is a holistic healing art
that is used to treat the "whole person," rather than just the parts
of a person. Traditionally, acupuncture and oriental medicine schools teach
students to use hair-fine needles made of copper, silver and stainless steel.
The "needling" that is administered to patients is done in a specific
manner, at specific points of the body. "Acupoints" are based on
meridians (energy channels) throughout the body, and are used as a template
(imagine a country map with key points) for acupuncture treatment. By inserting
these ultra-thin acupuncture needles at various acupoints on a person's body,
the corresponding organs (heart, kidneys, etc.) to the meridians are believed
to be positively affected. Theoretically, the flow of Qi (vital energy force)
is ultimately set back into balance so restoration and healing can occur.
For skeptics out there, oriental medicine may sound like a far-fetched idea
for treatment. But if you ask patients who have had a positive outcome from
acupuncture, you may be astonished by the results. Through controlled trials,
acupuncture has proven to be an effective treatment for the side effects of
chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as wll as allergies, depression, headaches and
migraines, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke,
and many other health conditions and diseases.
Because of the increased attention that alternative medicine and natural
healing arts have received in recent years, there has been an expansive growth
in acupuncture schools in the United
States. Currently, there are roughly 50
schools that are either pending accreditation or have been accredited by the
ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and the
Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM).
For aspiring acupuncturists, a school that teaches both acupuncture and
oriental medicine can prepare graduates to expertly administer acupuncture and
Chinese herbal medicine to patients.
In addition to extensive acupuncture studies, the general curriculum will
typically involve Chinese herbology, Chinese Tuina, moxibustion, oriental
medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and other associated topics.
Additional coursework includes may include standard lessons in anatomy,
pathology, physiology, psychology, neurological and other musculoskeletal
conditions, business and practical management, and other related classes. For
instance, students are often exposed to related studies, such as chiropractic
medicine, massage and massage therapy.
If you want to know if acupuncture really works, that depends on whom you
ask. If you're open minded and accepting of a not-so-new healing art that has
been proven to be beneficial for thousands of years, then perhaps you may just
change your thinking. Still not impressed? Check into a community education
program or certificate program in acupuncture, and allow the ancient art to be
revealed to you.
In closing, acupuncture is practiced by professionals who have acquired the
essential level of quality education, training, and clinical internship to
attain a Masters in Acupuncture Degree from an accredited school, as well as
the appropriate license.
To learn more about Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Schools and
additional learning programs, we invite you to visit our Natural Healing
Directory to find more in-depth information and resources.
Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific
practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s)
that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.
C. Bailey-Lloyd is a former staff writer for Media Positive
Communications, Inc. Find Acupuncture Schools and Massage Schools, Colleges, Universities, Vocational
Schools and Natural
Healing Schools
at SchoolsGalore.com, your educational resource to locate schools.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Bailey-Lloy
