Acupuncture

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Acupuncture

Describe the complementary treatment

Acupuncture is one of the major complementary treatments that is mainly used in the treatment of pain (Vickers et al., 2018). It is also used in enhancing the overall wellness of patients, especially in stress management. Acupuncture is essentially a traditional medicine-based approach that is associated with the Chinese culture that is used in the treatment of various conditions and diseases by using needles to trigger specific points on the patient’s skin (Ledford & Crawford, 2019). Currently, this form of complementary treatment is widely used by Western practitioners, especially in the treatment of pain. According to Chinese medicine, this form of treatment focuses on balancing the life force or flow of energy referred to as “chi”, which involves various pathways in the body (Ledford & Crawford, 2019). As such, this technique involves the use of needles to trigger specific points or parts on the patient’s skin that helps in the stimulation of muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, which helps in enhancing the natural painkillers in the body (Ledford & Crawford, 2019).

What is it?

Acupuncture usually involves the attachment and insertion of thin needles in the skin at various strategic points that help in the stimulation of muscles, nerves, and connective tissues, which helps in enhancing the natural painkillers in the body (Ledford & Crawford, 2019). Therefore, it is mainly used in relieving discomfort and pain associated with various conditions and diseases, such as neck pain, dental pain, osteoarthritis, labor pain, menstrual cramps, allergic rhinitis, low back pain, and headaches (Ledford & Crawford, 2019).

What are its proposed benefits?

Among the benefits associated with the use of acupuncture include; relieving pain and stress, and improving digestive function and sleep. According to Zahm (2021), acupuncture has positive effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, and nervous systems. Therefore, it helps in stimulating various systems in the body, which help in relieving pain and stress and improving digestive function and sleep. This also helps in enhancing an individual’s well-being (Zahm, 2021). For instance, the use of acupuncture usually helps in relieving stress and alleviating discomfort and pain associated with various conditions and diseases, such as osteoarthritis, low back pain, headaches, neck pain, and labor pain (Zahm, 2021).

Are there any risks?

Some of the major risks associated with the use of this complementary treatment include; increased likelihood of bruising or bleeding, infections, interference with the operations of the pacemaker among individuals with a pacemaker, and stimulation of labor (Zahm, 2021). For instance, some forms of acupuncture may stimulate labor among pregnant patients, which may lead to premature delivery. Additionally, the electrical impulses that are applied to the needles during the process of acupuncture may interference with the operations of the pacemaker among individuals with a pacemaker (Zahm, 2021). However, the risks associated with acupuncture are minimal, especially when it is provided by a certified and competent acupuncture practitioner (Zahm, 2021).

Describe access to the treatment – where do you find it, what are its costs?

Several acupuncturists offer this form of treatment in different areas. For instance, various online platforms can help in looking for a certified acupuncturist. On average, an acupuncture session costs about $60 to $90 in most of the states.

Is there evidence for your treatment? Expert opinion? If so, what is it?

Various studies indicate that acupuncture has positive effects on the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, and nervous systems (Zahm, 2021). Therefore, it helps in stimulating various systems in the body, which help in relieving pain and stress and improving digestive function and sleep (Zahm, 2021).

Based on your findings would you recommend this treatment? If yes, do you have population-specific recommendations?

Based on the obtained findings, I would recommend this form of treatment, especially to patients with chronic pain, since it helps in alleviating pain and is associated with minimal risks.

References

Ledford, C. J., & Crawford III, P. F. (2019). Integrating Medical Acupuncture into Family Medicine Practice. American family physician, 100(2), 76-78.

Vickers, A. J., Vertosick, E. A., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., … & Acupuncture Trialists’ Collaboration. (2018). Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis. The Journal of Pain, 19(5), 455-474.

Zahm, A. (2021). Integrating Acupuncture into Primary Care. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 27(5), 384-389.

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