Myths and Misconceptions in the world of Acupuncture

"I'm just not a needle person" has got to be the most common excuse I have heard from people and patients who are hesitant to try acupuncture. Here in the Western world, it has become the newest and fastest growing 2000 year old treatment known to mankind. So if it's retro it must be cool right? ABSOLUTELY right and do you know why? Because it genuinely works- and not just for one person with one condition.

MYTHS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE

1. ACUPUNCTURE IS DONE WITH NEEDLES AND I WILL END UP LOOKING LIKE A PORCUPINE.

As entertaining as that image is to me, rest assured that acupuncture is a type of meridian therapy and does not have to be done with needles (Shocking I know!) In fact, the majority of patients I have seen walk in our doors do not test needle as the best form that will work for them. We commonly use a green or red laser on meridian points instead of needles. I have personal experience using the red laser on a point on the apex (Crown of my head) to relieve stress and relax a tense body in 2 minutes (The same effect as an hour long massage would have!) Other forms our therapist utilizes at the center include acupressure, acupowder (taped on over points for 24 hr long treatments) and electric stimulation, most commonly used on the ears and referred to as auricular therapy.

2. ACUPUNCTURE RELIES ON THE PLACEBO EFFECT TO WORK

While our minds do play an important role in determining the state of our health, the placebo effect of acupuncture is no higher than with any other form of treatment for both traditional western medicine or structure/function care. In fact, acupuncture has been used on a number of animals and has WORKED to make significant improvements. I'm pretty sure the animals don't know they should feel better after having an acupuncture treatment, since they don't know what it is or what it's supposed to do- I'd be hard pressed to find anyone that argues that animals experience a placebo effect.

3. ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLES GO INTO YOUR NERVES AND CAN CAUSE HARM, OR BE PAINFUL TO INSERT.

So off base, it almost makes me laugh but I understand it can be a legitimate concern for some people. If needles are used, they go into Meridians (not nerves) which are internal pathways of energy in the body and are completely separate from the nerve distributions of the body. As far as inserting the needles, it is a pain free process as well; it feels like a quick pinch or mosquito bite. Many times small plastic guide tubes are pressed to the skin around the point to be punctured which can distract the skin to the point that the very thin, blunt ended needle passes with little sensation at all.

Join in next time, when I will discuss the World Health Organization's Study and list on diagnoses they have determined acupuncture to be an effective form of treatment.