Types of Acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Have you ever experienced persistent pain or sought relief from chronic conditions without success? If so, you're not alone. Acupuncture offers a potential solution for those seeking genuine relief without the side effects of Western medicine.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice used for centuries in oriental medicine to relieve pain and treat many health issues. It is a therapeutic technique wherein an acupuncturist inserts thin needles into acupuncture points on the body. Its origins can be traced back thousands of years to ancient China, where it was believed to restore the flow of energy or "Qi" (pronounced "chee") throughout the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine, disruptions in this life force can lead to pain and illness.

One of acupuncture's fundamental principles is treating the entire body rather than focusing solely on symptoms. Practitioners view pain and illness as manifestations of an imbalance within the body's systems, and by restoring harmony, they aim to promote overall well-being.

Types of Acupuncture

In today's world, many seek alternatives to traditional medical treatments, searching for holistic approaches that address our health concerns differently.

One avenue gaining popularity is complementary and alternative medicine, where different types of acupuncture stand out as promising options. From chronic pain to digestive issues, acupuncture offers a unique approach to treating patients by targeting specific points in the body.

Japanese acupuncture

Acupuncture has been integral to Japan, and although China initially led the practice of acupuncture, Japan has since developed its unique approach to treatment.  Japanese acupuncture focuses on abdominal palpation to determine needle insertion points, employing thinner, sharper needles and shallower insertion depths (Kobayashi et al., 2010) compared to Chinese acupuncture, which tends to manipulate needles more deeply, potentially leading to stronger Qi sensations.

Additionally, Japanese acupuncture often incorporates moxibustion for added warmth and soothing effects. In contrast, Chinese acupuncture commonly uses herbs in conjunction with treatment and may also utilize moxibustion, typically with a mugwort charcoal stick.

Traditional acupuncture

Traditional acupuncture, also known as traditional Chinese acupuncture, follows ancient principles of balancing the body's energy, or Qi, by inserting thin needles at specific points along the meridians. This approach views illness and pain as disruptions in the flow of Qi and seeks to restore harmony within the body to promote healing.

Traditional acupuncture treatments may include a combination of needling, moxibustion, cupping, and herbal therapies, guided by a comprehensive understanding of Chinese medicine theory and diagnostic techniques honed over thousands of years.

Scalp acupuncture

Scalp acupuncture (head acupuncture) is a newer way of treating people, but it was a bit complex at first because it didn't match the old ideas in Chinese medicine. This kind of acupuncture focuses on certain areas of the scalp, not specific points, and practitioners need to learn it well to get good results. Unlike traditional acupuncture, where needles go in particular spots, in scalp acupuncture, needles go into larger sections of the scalp that match how the brain works (Hao & Hao, 2012).

Auricular acupuncture

Auricular or ear acupuncture involves stimulating specific points on the external ear to influence various body parts and treat various health conditions. This approach is based on the concept that the ear is a microsystem reflecting the entire body, with specific points corresponding to different organs and systems.

Electroacupuncture

Introduced in the mid-1900s, electroacupuncture (EA) involves the application of weak electronic currents through acupuncture needles post-conventional acupuncture. While EA remains controversial, it has exhibited comparable or enhanced efficacy to acupuncture and offers greater reproducibility, rendering it conducive to research.

Effectiveness of acupuncture treatment

While the concept of energy flow might seem obscure to those raised in a Western medicine paradigm, modern research has shed light on the physiological mechanisms behind acupuncture's effectiveness. Acupuncture stimulates endorphin release, improves blood flow, and influences biochemical processes, aiding pain relief and stress management. This supports overall well-being and enhances treatment plans for stress-related diseases (Cabıoğlu et al., 2014).

In cancer treatment, acupuncture and electroacupuncture have been shown to improve how cancer patients feel and lessen side effects from treatments such as chemotherapy. These treatments might work by improving cell function and affecting brain activity. However, further research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness (Han et al., 2021).

Vickers et al. (2002) summarized research evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture and examined the following areas:

1. Acute pain: Acupuncture could effectively alleviate acute pain following dental surgery, showing a longer pain-free interval in acupuncture patients than controls. However, its clinical significance beyond placebo effects warrants further investigation.
2. Chronic pain:  Several systematic reviews have assessed acupuncture's effectiveness for chronic pain, finding it generally superior to no treatment or waiting lists. However, conflicting evidence from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggests more research is needed to understand its efficacy across different conditions.
3. Addiction: Acupuncture therapy shows some promise as an aid for smoking cessation in the short term, but its effectiveness over the long term is uncertain compared to placebo techniques or nicotine replacement therapies.
4. Asthma: Reviews revealed insufficient evidence to support acupuncture for asthma clinically due to small, heterogeneous studies lacking replication and limited clinical insight.
5. Nausea and vomiting: Two systematic reviews suggest acupuncture's effectiveness in reducing nausea and vomiting across various conditions, including postoperative emesis and chemotherapy-induced nausea, despite some mixed results in certain studies.
6. Obesity: Acupuncture's effectiveness for weight loss remains inconclusive, with mixed results from subsequent studies on appetite suppression and weight loss.
7. Stroke rehabilitation: Research suggests acupuncture might not help much with stroke recovery, so its effectiveness remains uncertain.
8. Tinnitus: The studies suggest acupuncture might not help much with tinnitus, except for one showing a small benefit for a short time, leaving uncertainty about its effectiveness.
9. Other conditions: Randomized controlled trials have explored acupuncture's efficacy in various conditions like depression, urinary incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome. While these studies generally suggest acupuncture's effectiveness, their lack of replication means they aren't enough to make clinical recommendations.

Integrating traditional practices like acupuncture into modern healthcare demonstrates the importance of exploring diverse approaches to wellness. Understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying acupuncture's effectiveness bridges the gap between Eastern and Western medical philosophies, offering potential avenues for holistic healing and enhanced treatment outcomes for various health conditions.

Why use Carepatron as your acupuncture software?

With its roots in ancient healing practices, acupuncture has garnered attention for alleviating discomfort and promoting overall well-being. As more acupuncture services become available, individuals explore this to find relief and improve their quality of life. If you are an acupuncturist, here's why Carepatron is the perfect practice management software for you:

• Telehealth excellence: Seamlessly conduct virtual sessions with your clients from anywhere, ensuring convenience and accessibility for both parties.
• Comprehensive guidance: Utilize our extensive array of guides and resources to enhance your therapeutic approach and empower your clients on their journey to wellness.
• Efficient EHR management: Streamline your practice with our intuitive electronic health records (EHR) system, ensuring secure and organized documentation of client information.
• Convenient appointment scheduling: Simplify your workflow with our user-friendly appointment scheduling feature.
• Detailed progress notes: Document client progress comprehensively with our customizable progress notes, enabling you to track milestones and adjust treatment plans effectively.

At Carepatron, we're dedicated to empowering mental health professionals like you to thrive in your practice. Join us today and experience our platform's unparalleled support and efficiency.

References

Cabıoğlu, M., İşeri, S., Çoban, A., & Çoban, F. (2014). Role of acupuncture in stress management. Marmara Pharmaceutical Journal, 16(2), 107–114. https://doi.org/10.12991/mpj.99253

Han, Q.-Q., Fu, Y., Le, J.-M., Ma, Y.-J., Wei, X.-D., Ji, H.-L., Jiang, H., Gao, Y., & Wu, H. (2021). The therapeutic effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on cancer-related symptoms and side-effects. Journal of Cancer, 12(23), 7003–7009. https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.55803

Hao, J. J., & Hao, L. L. (2012). Review of clinical applications of scalp acupuncture for paralysis: An excerpt from Chinese scalp acupuncture. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 1(1), 102–121. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2012.1.1.017

Kobayashi, A., Uefuji, M., & Yasumo, W. (2010). History and progress of Japanese acupuncture. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 7(3), 359–365. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nem155

Vickers, A., Wilson, P., & Kleijnen, J. (2002). Acupuncture. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 11(1), 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1136/qhc.11.1.92