Introduction to Acupuncture

&Oriental Medicine

Philosophies, Principles & Possibilities

.
What is Oriental Medicine & Acupuncture

Chinese
Herbology

Lifestyle
Acupuncture
Management

Oriental
Medicine

Body work
Exercise
Tui Na

Diet Therapy
Benefits of Oriental Medicine
• 1. OM is one of the most holistic medical systems available today.
 2. OM regards the body as a whole one, focus on restore and maintains
the balance of whole body. CM treats the root of disease.
 3. OM has unique diagnostic and treatment techniques.
 4. OM has no side effects.
 5. OM’s emphasis is on prevention.
 6. OM has a long history of successful treatment for physical, mental,
emotional disorders.
 7. OM offers self-empowerment.
 What is Acupuncture?
• Acupuncture is one branch or a part of Oriental
Medicine
• Acupuncturists use needle to stimulate the meridians
and points to prevent and treat disease in order to
regulate and unblock the person’s energy channels.
They always combine with other therapies.
• The needles stimulate the nervous system to release
endorphins or other naturally occurring chemicals
and hormones that affect mood, health, relieve pain.
 What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is one of the oldest, most in the world.
Originating in China commonly used systems of
healing some 3,000 years ago, only in the last three
decades has it become popular in the United States.
In 1993, the FDA estimated that Americans made up
to 12 million visits per year to acupuncture
practitioners and spent upwards of half a billion
dollars on acupuncture treatments.
Acupuncture
• Qi maintains balance in
the body.
• 16 meridians
• 360 regular acupoints
• 40 commonly used extra
points
• Acupoints influence the
physiology
 How Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture works by stimulating the various meridians

and points in the body which are pathways for “Qi” to flow.
Modern science demonstrates:
Acupuncture alters body chemicals, including stimulation
of endorphins.
Acupuncture sensation effect nerves and cause beneficial
• response.
reflex
Acupuncture
• affects the bodies natural electro-magnetic
fields.
Acupuncture harmonizes the balance of whole body,
Yin/Yang; Qi/Blood; Zang/Fu
 How does Acupuncture Work?
• Acupuncture has capacity to harmonize and enhance our
capacity for enjoyment, fulfillment and happiness
Acupuncture harmonizes the balance of whole
body, Yin/Yang; Qi/Blood; Zang/Fu
Acupuncture restores and maintains the normal
function of meridians.
Acupuncture regulates the function of immunity
system.
Acupuncture calms mind and Spirit.
 Philosophies

Absence of
disease

Harmonize
Harmonize
between
between
Human
Internal
being with
organs
Nature
Health
and
Longevity
Harmonize
Harmonize
between
between
Human
Internal with
being with
External
society
Harmonize
among
Body, mind,
spirit
 Principles
• Prevention and treating before disease arises
• Seeking the root cause of disease
• Strengthening the body’s capacity to restore
the balance between Yin and Yang
• Giving treatment in line with the patient’s
constitution, climatic condition, and
geographic location
 Why do We Choose Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine?
• Effective and proven system of health care
– 3000-4000 years
– National Institute of Health
– World Health Organization
– More and more everyday…

• Safe & decreased side effects

• Cost effective
• Oriental medicine is in demand
A 1997 study showed that approximately 40% of the
U.S. population used some form of alternative
medicine; 629 million visits to those providers
annually.
 What Happens at an Acupuncture
Treatment?
• Diagnosis
– Listening
– Observation
– Palpation
– Pulse Diagnosis
– Tongue Diagnosis
• 4-20 acupoints
• Additional therapies
• Herbal formula
 Chinese Medicine Efficacy
• Primary health care system for over 3000 years
• NIH (National Institute of Health) stated in 1997 report acupuncture is
effective in the treatment of:

– Nausea - Headache
– Dental pain -Fibromyalgia
– Addictions -Tennis Elbow
– Asthma -Stroke Rehab
– Osteoarthritis
– Menstrual Cramps
– Myofascial Pain
– Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
– Lower Back Pain
 Chinese Medicine Efficacy
• In 1979, the United Nations World Health Organization lists over 40
conditions treated by acupuncture:

– Digestive– Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, hyperacidity,

indigestion
– Neurological– headaches, migraines, neurogenic bladder dysfunction,
Parkinson’s disease
– Musculoskeletal- arthritis, back pain, muscle cramping, muscle pain &
weakness
– Gynecological– infertility, menopausal symptoms, premenstrual
syndrome
(continued)
 Chinese Medicine Efficacy
• In 1979, the United Nations World Health Organization lists over 40
conditions treated by acupuncture:

– Eye-Ear-Nose-Throat– cataracts, gingivitis, poor vision, tinnitis,

toothache, tonsillitis

– Emotional-anxiety, depression, insomnia, nervousness, neurosis

– Miscellaneous– addiction control, athletic performance, blood

pressure regulation. chronic fatigue, immune system enhancement,
stress reduction, postoperative pain, stroke, asthma, bronchitis,
common cold, sinusitis, smoking cessation
 Chinese Medicine Efficacy
The 1997 National Institute of Health Consensus Conference on
Acupuncture stated;

– "The data in support of acupuncture are as strong as those for many

accepted Western medical therapies.“

– "One of the advantages of acupuncture is that the incidence of

adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or other
accepted medical procedures used for the same conditions."
 Acceptance of Oriental Medicine in
America
Legislation & Education

• 38 states and the District of Columbia have recognized the practice of acupuncture and
Oriental medicine. Legislation has been introduced in an additional eight states.

• The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM) is

recognized by the United States Department of Education. Oriental medicine is a four-year
masters level program(2700-3200 hours training) since 1980, and doctor lever program since
2003.

• The number of licensed acupuncturists in the US has doubled between 1992 and 1998, rising
from 5,525 in the fall of 1992 to 10,512 in 1998, 13,517 in 2003 .

• They are more than 50 acupuncture and oriental medicine schools are accredited by
NCCAOM in USA.

• The students graduated from those school are titled as L.Ac, L. Ch.;
Acupuncturist; Doctor of Oriental Medicine, etc.
 Oriental Medicine Cost Effectiveness
Acupuncture Treatment Results In Decreased Days In Hospital
Or Nursing Home

Half of 78 stroke patients receiving standard rehabilitative care

were randomly chosen to receive adjunctive acupuncture
treatment. Patients given acupuncture recovered faster and to
a greater extent, spending 88 days/patient in hospital and
nursing homes compared to 161 days/patient for standard
care alone.

Cost savings: $26,000 per patient.

Johansson K et al (1994), "Can sensory stimulation improve the

functional outcome in stroke patients?", Neurology 43:2189-
2192.
Acupuncture Promotes Sleep in Insomnia
Patients
Acupuncture Helps with Delivery of Breech
Babies
 Acupuncture Study at Kansas Hospital Shows
Dramatic Improvement in Stroke Patients
• In the study, which began two years
ago, 33 patients who had suffered 90
their first stroke were randomly
assigned to receive either 80
acupuncture or traditional speech, 70
occupational and physical therapy. Acupunc
Ninety percent of the patients in the 60
acupuncture group improved so ture
much that they were able to go home 50 group
rather than another facility after 40
leaving the hospital, compared to just
33 percent of patients in the 30 Tradition
traditional therapy group. Stroke al
patients who received acupuncture 20 therapy
also showed more improvement in 10 group
the ability to carry out tasks such as
as dressing, bathing, grooming, 0
walking and changing position. go home
 Oriental Medicine Cost Effectiveness
Acupuncture Treatment Allows Low-Back Pain Patients To Return To Physical
Labor

56 patients at a workers' compensation clinic were randomized to receive

either physical therapy/ occupational therapy/exercise or the standard
care plus acupuncture. Of the 29 treated with acupuncture, 18 returned to
their original or equivalent jobs and 10 returned to lighter employment. Of
the 27 who received only standard therapy, 4 returned to original or
equivalent jobs and 14 to lighter employment.

Gunn CC et al (1980), "Dry needling of muscle motor points for chronic low-back pain", Spine 5:279-291
More Doctor Believing in
Acupuncture,CM