Acupuncture has gained followers throughout the world and is gradually being recognized by Western medicine. What is it and what is it used for?

This technique is part of traditional Chinese medicine, with more than 5.000 years of history, from which millions of people have benefited over time. It is based on the stimulation of certain points of the body that are part, for the most part, of the so-called meridians or channels through which the Qi (pronounced Chi), or vital energy, circulates, which originates the state of well-being.

The obstruction of these meridians prevents the correct flow of energy, giving rise to different pathologies or diseases. These can be treated by using needles - traditionally the most commonly used - massages or moxas (dried and pulverized leaves of artemisia, in the form of tobacco, which bring heat to the nodes).

It can also be performed by applying laser or electrostimuli that seek to evaluate, rebalance and trigger self-healing responses of the body. This is increasingly confirmed by modern neuroscience through clinical trials that show a high therapeutic potential, especially in the management of chronic pain, given that most of these points are located along the path of the main nerves of the body and with measurable characteristics by the decrease in local electrical resistance.

Another vision of health

Acupuncture is all about energy and vibrations. It is based on the existence of waves/particles mentioned by quantum physics since the beginning of the 20th century, a theory accepted by modern scientific vision. This theory was expressed by the Chinese, since ancient times, as Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine), equivalent to the notion of the electromagnetic field that affects matter through vital energy.

When one of the so-called acupuncture points is stimulated, physiological reactions are triggered that are capable of activating the body's own healing principles, generating responses that range from the release of endorphins (pleasure substances and pain modulators), the activation of the immune system, the regulation of heart rate and blood flow, to the control of many of the body's internal rhythms, responsible in turn for that balance we call health.

Types of acupuncture

The therapeutic basis is to know the energy channels to activate that vital force or Qi. This can be done in several ways:

• Traditional acupuncture: It uses small needles (in ancient times, cane filaments or sharp stone stimuli were used) that are inserted into some of the more than 1000 points of these meridians, the vast majority on the surface of the skin, although points outside of them have also been described. Generally, this action is not very painful and the sessions are short, in which they are usually turned clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether the action of the point is to be activated or sedated.
• Acupressure: It uses finger pressure instead of needles and has gained many followers because, through simple maneuvers, anyone can contribute to their own recovery.
• Electrostimulation: This generates small electrical discharges at the points or nodes, sufficient to activate the physiological responses of self-regulation.
• Moxibustion: which seeks to apply heat to the needle or directly stimulate the skin, obtaining adequate responses. These techniques must be applied by qualified persons with extensive medical knowledge.
• Photostimulation or laser therapy: It generally refers to the so-called soft laser, which by emitting trains of photons (light stimuli) manages to generate effects that can last up to 21 days.

Scientific studies have supported the use of acupuncture as a complementary therapy in various fields. Some of them are the following:

• Chronic pain treatment: in which the use of common analgesics and anti-inflammatories is significantly reduced, which results in fewer side effects and even a reduction in health care costs. It is very effective in the treatment of chronic diseases, contributing to a better quality of life.
• Postoperative and acute pain: achieve faster and more effective recoveries with fewer functional limitations.
• Migraines and other headaches: these are conditions in which acupuncture is most commonly used, with high percentages of effectiveness and, in many cases, with complete remission of symptoms.
• Dysmenorrhea or menstrual cramps: very favourable results are also observed in patients with polycystic ovaries and myomatosis (benign uterine tumours). It can also improve the situation of women with a history of secondary infertility and, in men, improve sperm mobility, which can be a secondary cause of sterility.
• Reduction of side effects caused by chemo or radiotherapy: reduces nausea and vomiting, and regulates the proper functioning of organs and systems.
• Depression and anxiety: almost every acupuncture stimulus releases endorphins or pleasure substances that can modulate these behaviour patterns. This can also regulate some types of cardiac symptoms such as tachycardia or arrhythmias.
• Allergies: from hives to seasonal allergies. It is very effective in allergic rhinitis, which is characterized by annoying and long-lasting inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
• Sleep disorders: not only by using meridian points or acupuncture channels, but also by stimulating the so-called auriculotherapy points located on the ear.
• Perimenopausal disorders: especially hot flashes.
• Dysautonomias: or disorders of the so-called Autonomic Nervous System, which can manifest as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or even some syncopal symptoms (dizziness, even with falls and loss of consciousness).

• Patients on anticoagulants should not undergo needle acupuncture, but may benefit from laser therapy or acupressure.
• People with pacemakers should be careful with electroacupuncture; although this contraindication is relative to the use of modern pacemakers and nanotechnology. For safety reasons, a cardiologist should be consulted.
• Patients with a severely weakened or impaired immune system, since they may contract infections more easily.
• People with skin conditions, such as some severe eczema or dermatitis.
• Pregnant women: although some mothers should not undergo acupuncture, others can benefit from this technique and in fact there is the “happy baby program” which facilitates or stimulates the symbiosis between mother and fetus. The recommendation? Work closely with your family doctor.

The foundations of acupuncture date back to the 1972th to XNUMXrd century BC and are set out in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, the Nei jing-Su wen-Ling shu, which is probably considered the oldest text on the subject. Later, French and Swiss Jesuits published some writings on acupuncture and, later, with Nixon's first visit to China in XNUMX, the preamble was generated for many Western doctors to become interested in this technique. Today it is promoted by the World Health Organization, both in practice and research, and is even part of some National Health Systems.

Acupuncture, if performed by an expert and under appropriate aseptic conditions, has very few, if any, side effects and is an effective alternative to supplement or reduce pain medications and steroid treatments.

In the case of acupuncture, it is not about “magic”, “witchcraft”, or “esotericism”, but about activating the self-regulation and healing mechanisms that the body itself has.

Needles are for single use only and care must be taken to ensure that the material is disposed of immediately and in accordance with the standards established by health services.

The content is part of the 5 Sentidos magazine and was created by: Alejandro Posada Beuth, MD Sintergético