Welcome to alternative medicine
Alternative Medicine College Article
This is a selection made from among articles on Alternative Medicine College. For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for future reading, click here.
Types of Acupuncture
from:There are different types of acupuncture. Whichever you decide to use, they are designed to do the same thing and that is to relieve pain or treat certain diseases.
The first is called TCM based acupuncture. Here, it uses eight principles of complementary opposites to create harmony in the body. These include yin/yang, internal/external, excess/deficiency, hot/cold.
Next is called French energetic acupuncture. This is often used by MD acupuncturists. Meridian patterns are emphasized here particularly the yin-yang pairs of primary meridians.
Korean hand acupuncture is another as practitioners believe that the hands and feet have concentrations of qi, and that applying acupuncture needles to these areas is effective for the entire body.
There is also auricular acupuncture where it is believed that the ear is a microcosm of the body. This means that acupuncture needles are placed on certain points on the ear so it can treat certain addiction disorders.
Myofascially-based acupuncture is often utilized by physical therapists as it involves feeling the meridian lines in search of tender points before applying needles as this is where abnormal energy flows.
Japanese styles of acupuncture referred to as "meridian therapy," tend to put more emphasis on needling technique and feeling meridians in diagnosis.
Impulses of electromagnetic energy can also be used as the body generates tiny but electrical discharges which influence the function, growth and maturity of certain types of cells. By inserting the needles in these areas, it stimulates and alters the neurotransmitters in the body thus making the patient feel better after treatment. This is also sometimes used for diagnosis and testing.
There are also other forms of acupuncture that do not use needles. For instance there is sonopuncture that uses an ultrasound device that transmits sound waves to points in the body to treat a patient. Some practitioners use a tuning fork or other vibration devices.
Acupressure is another. Here, the professional will use their hands to relieve the pain. This can be used on it sown or with other manual healing techniques.
The number of treatments you will need depends on the patient’s condition. On average this could be from 10 to 5 treatments and 2 to 3 times a week. How much it will cost also varies as this could be from $40 to $150. Some insurance companies and HMO’s now cover that or partially so you should check if this is included in your policy.
Anyone can try acupuncture to relieve pain or prevent one but many practitioners decline to see someone during pregnancy. But if you have already started, it is generally safe to do so until the infant is born.
Some acupuncturists may ask you to take in some herbs as part of the treatment. Since you have no idea what it can do, have this checked first by your local doctor to make sure this is safe as this could interact with the drugs you are taking causing side effects.
Which type of acupuncture should you try? That is up to you. All of them are effective so discuss this with your doctor and do some research so you know what you are getting yourself into. Each of these is painless so just relax and let the professional do the rest.
Just like conventional medicine, don’t expect an improvement overnight as this takes time so just keep an open mind.
Alternative Medicine College News
American College of Healthcare Sciences Hires Elizabeth Edleman as ... - PR.com (press release)
American College of Healthcare Sciences Hires Elizabeth Edleman as ... PR.com (press release) ACHS is based in the Johns Landing area of Portland, Oregon, and was one of the first accredited colleges offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine (CAM) fully online. |
Allergy management includes traditional, alternative treatments - PennLive.com
 PennLive.com | Allergy management includes traditional, alternative treatments PennLive.com Advancing at double speed this time of the year, the triggers — pollen, mold, dust, pet dander — are causing allergy sufferers to seek help whether from a doctor, pharmacy or an alternative method of treatment. The best management for allergies is to ... |
SIUE Is Among 11 National Centers of Excellence in Pain Education - PR Web (press release)
SIUE Is Among 11 National Centers of Excellence in Pain Education PR Web (press release) The CoEPEs will act as hubs for the development, evaluation and distribution of pain management curriculum resources for medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy schools to enhance and improve how health care professionals are taught about pain and its ... |
NCIIA Announces Winners of the 2012 BMEidea Competition - Sacramento Bee
NCIIA Announces Winners of the 2012 BMEidea Competition Sacramento Bee By NCIIA PHILADELPHIA, May 23, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA), an educational nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting invention and innovation on college and university ... |
Simpler colon cancer screening alternative cuts death risk, study finds - CBS News
 CBS News | Simpler colon cancer screening alternative cuts death risk, study finds CBS News Colon cancer screening should start at 50, says American College of Physicians Colorectal cancer death risk cut in half through colonoscopies, study shows Will laxative-free colon cancer screening encourage more people to get tested? Sigmoidoscopy an option for colon cancer screening |