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| Category: Acupuncture Practitioners |
Date published: July 20, 2004 |
Acupuncture
by June Russell
Acupuncture has been in continual use for more than 23 centuries, and is a component of the health care system of China. Since the visit of President Nixon to China in 1972 there has been an explosion of interest about acupuncture here in the U.S., where there are some 10,000 practitioners who perform acupuncture (this figure includes some 3,000 physicians).
Acupuncture involves stimulating specific anatomic points in the body for therapeutic purposes. These points are most often stimulated by using a very fine needle, and many practitioners also use heat, pressure, friction, suction or impulses of electromagnetic energy to stimulate the points. Basic scientific research suggests that neurological pathways are the mechanism by which acupuncture relieves pain and acupuncture practitioners call these pathways meridians or channels.
When ultra-fine needles are used the treatment is virtually painless, although there may be a tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or traveling up and down the affected meridian or pathway. Most acupuncturists use sterilized, individually packaged, disposable needles so there is no danger of transmitting diseases - this is a requirement in Virginia.
The advantages of acupuncture are that it is effective, nonaddictive and relatively inexpensive - and there are virtually no side effects when performed by a qualified licensed acupuncturist. Acupuncture can also be used in situations where Western medicine has its limitations. Perhaps the most well-known use of acupuncture is for the relief of pain, but the World Health Organization has listed more than 104 conditions for which acupuncture is indicated and many patients find improvement in areas not listed.
A diagnosis consists of determining a patient's energetic imbalance. This involves feeling the pulse, observing the tongue, face, body, and taking a history, as well as exploring the patient's present working and living habits and family environment. Functional disorders are the first expression of an energetic imbalance, usually before a medical doctor would be able to find anything wrong. Some of these clues may be a general lack of wellness, often feeling moody or down in the dumps, some minor indigestion or perhaps allergic reactions.
Acupuncture can help with many health problems while they are still minor, and as a preventive before symptoms start. Jill Lamar, R.N., L. Ac., of the Acupuncture Center of Charlottesville,Virginia, tells us that it is not the symptom but the energetic imbalance that acupuncture treats. "If a red light comes on in our car warning us of a malfunction we shouldn't just disconnect it, we need to find the reason," says Ms. Lamar. "Individuals often get into unhealthy patterns such as not getting enough rest or perhaps they continue eating foods that interfere with their well-being, such as when an individual continues to eat sweets even though it causes lethargy or depression. As the body gets more in balance from acupuncture treatments there is more control so better choices are made."
Controlled clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of acupuncture have appeared in numerous medical journals in recent years. In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reclassified acupuncture needles from "experimental medical devices" to the same category as syringes and surgical instruments. In 1997 the National Institutes of Health stated that there is `clear evidence' that acupuncture is an effective therapy and the data in support of acupuncture is as strong as those for many accepted Western medical therapies.
There are now clinical studies showing that acupuncture treatments result in fewer days at the hospital or nursing home, can help avoid surgery and can provide a greater return to employment. Neurologist Lorenz Ng, medical director of the chronic pain program at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, uses acupuncture as well as drugs, and says that acupuncture is no longer `alternative' but `complementary.'
A recent four year study of six clinics in five states showed that almost all of the 1,575 participants in the research said that acupuncture helped them feel and function better, as well as save them money on their overall health costs. These patients experienced fewer visits to their doctor, used fewer drugs and many avoided surgery. The number of people reporting a disappearance or improvement of their symptoms was too high to be the result of chance. One of the striking results was that the patients were using a variety of health-care modalities, yet they commonly attributed the improvements in their health specifically to acupuncture. Another helpful outcome was that the participants changed from interpreting their symptoms as "sickness" and/or "failures of medical or self-care," to interpret their symptoms as friendly warnings to alter their lifestyle. Respondents repeatedly praised their practitioners for teaching them self-care.
Acupuncture is used by millions of Americans for many health problems, including pain relief. This healing approach is becoming increasingly popular and those with different degrees of training are allowed to perform acupuncture with the laws regulating it varying from state to state. Those who are interested in acupuncture should inquire about the qualifications of the person performing acupuncture.
James Blair, the president of the National Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance, tells us that in most states medical doctors may practice acupuncture without any training in acupuncture. A few states have begun to require that medical doctors, chiropractors and other practitioners have some instruction in acupuncture (defined as anywhere from 100 to 300 hours) before they can incorporate acupuncture into their practice. In contrast, a fully-licensed practitioner of Oriental Medicine is required to have between 1,825 and 3,000 hours of classroom instruction and supervised clinical internship in an accredited institution. In 1994, Virginia joined 29 other states in requiring that acupuncturists be licensed.
Jody Forman, M.S.W., L. Ac., of the Charlottesville Healing Arts Center in Charlottesville,Virginia, states that a licensed acupuncturist (L. Ac.) in Virginia must have passed the National Board Exam which requires 2,800 hours of training, including a full year of supervised clinical practice. Medical doctors and chiropractors in Virginia are permitted to perform acupuncture after completing a minimum course of 200 hours (this does not include supervised clinical practice).
In Virginia there is open access to acupuncture, which means there is no requirement to have a recommendation from a medical doctor.
Although some insurance companies are beginning to cover some of the cost of acupuncture, many individuals must pay `out of pocket.' Those who are able to afford treatments without insurance coverage feel it is well worth the cost.
About the Author
June Russell is a retired health educator, researcher and journalist. For more information, visit her website at www.jrussellshealth.com
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