Should i have acupuncture

Acupuncture is also often used to treat other musculoskeletal conditions of the bones and muscles and pain conditions, including:. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with other treatments is unclear. Acupuncture is sometimes available on the NHS, most often from GP surgeries or physiotherapists, although access is limited. Most acupuncture patients pay for private treatment.

The cost of acupuncture varies widely between practitioners. If you're being treated by an acupuncture practitioner for a health condition or are considering having acupuncture, it's advisable to discuss this with your GP. An initial acupuncture session usually lasts 20 minutes to 1 hour and involves an assessment of your general health, medical history and a physical examination, followed by insertion of the acupuncture needles. Courses of treatment often involve several separate sessions, but this can vary.

The needles are inserted into specific places on the body, which practitioners call acupuncture points. During the session, you'll usually be asked to sit or lie down. You may also be asked to remove some clothes so the practitioner can access certain parts of your body. The needles used are very fine and are usually a few centimetres long.

They should be single-use, pre-sterilised needles that are disposed of immediately after use. Acupuncture practitioners choose specific points to place the needles based on your condition.

Several points may be used during a typical session, depending on the number of symptoms you have. The needles may be inserted just under the skin, or deeper so they reach muscle. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain.

These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. National Institutes of Health NIH studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following:.

Many Americans seek acupuncture treatment for relief of chronic pain, such as arthritis or low back pain. Acupuncture, however, has expanded uses in other parts of the world. Before considering acupuncture, talk to your doctor. Conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include the following:. Because scientific studies have not fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture remains a source of controversy.

It is important to take precautions when deciding about acupuncture. Discuss acupuncture with your doctor first. Discuss all the treatments and medicines dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter you are taking. If you have a pacemaker, are at risk for infection, have chronic skin problems, are pregnant, or have breast or other implants, be sure to tell your doctor. Acupuncture may be risky to your health if you fail to mention these matters. Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an acupuncture practitioner.

If you have received a diagnosis from a doctor, you may wish to ask him or her whether acupuncture might help. Choose a licensed acupuncture practitioner. Your own doctor may be a good resource for referrals to a licensed or certified practitioner. There is no scientific proof that the meridians or acupuncture points exist, and it is hard to prove that they either do or do not, but numerous studies suggest that acupuncture works for some conditions.

Some experts have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture. Acupuncture points are seen as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissue can be stimulated. It is difficult to set up investigations using proper scientific controls, because of the invasive nature of acupuncture. In a clinical study, a control group would have to undergo sham treatment, or a placebo , for results to be compared with those of genuine acupuncture.

Some studies have concluded that acupuncture offers similar benefits to a patient as a placebo, but others have indicated that there are some real benefits.

Research carried out in Germany has shown that acupuncture may help relieve tension headaches and migraines. They list additional disorders that may benefit from acupuncture, but which require further scientific confirmation.

In , the World Health Organization WHO listed a number of conditions in which they say acupuncture has been proven effective. Other conditions for which the WHO say that acupuncture may help but more evidence is needed include :.

The WHO also suggest that it may help treat a number of infections, including some urinary tract infections and epidemic hemorrhagic fever. The NCCIH advise people not to use acupuncture instead of seeing a conventional health care provider. According to traditional Chinese medical theory, acupuncture points are located on meridians, through which vital energy runs. An acupuncturist will examine the patient and assess their condition, insert one or more thin, sterile needles, and offer advice on self-care or other complementary therapies, such as Chinese herbs.

The patient will be asked to lie down on their back, front, or one side, depending on where the needles are to be inserted.

The acupuncturist should use single-use, disposable, sterile needles. As each needle is inserted, the patient may feel a very brief stinging or tingling sensation. After the needle is inserted, there is occasionally a dull ache at the base of the needle that then subsides. Acupuncture is usually relatively painless.

Sometimes the needles are heated or stimulated with electricity after insertion. The needles will stay in place for between 5 and 30 minutes.