Acupuncture
Discover how Saratoga NY acupuncture can benefit you. With ancient roots as an holistic healing method and alternative medicine option, acupuncture is becoming an increasingly common and accepted form of medical treatment. Licensed Saratoga NY acupuncture practitioners can be found in Spa City and throughout the county.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture holistic healing is one of the oldest pain-relief procedures, originating in China over 2000 years ago.
Although the term acupuncture serves as an umbrella for a variety of procedures involving anatomical stimulation, the one most commonly studied and widely used involves puncturing the skin with thin metallic needles.
Saratoga NY acupuncture treatment eases the pain of various physical ailments, including headaches, backaches, arthritis, insomnia, colds, and stomach aches. It has proven effective for healing many mental and emotional difficulties as well.
How Acupuncture Works
During the procedure, a skilled practitioner inserts solid, hair-thin metallic needles just under the skin at specific points over the body. The needles are then carefully manipulated by hand or electrical stimulation to relieve pain, tension, and other ailments.
Some patients experience slight discomfort or tingling after the needles have been inserted. Aside from these minor effects, patients experience no major pain during or following the acupuncture procedure.
There are 365 traditional puncture points for the acupuncture procedure, which differ only slightly from male to female patients.
Why Acupuncture Works
Chi (or qi) is the Chinese term for the flow of vital life energy through one's body. It is a long-held belief that blockages in the body's chi accounts for the wide range of illnesses and diseases in the world. Acupuncture is just one of many traditional techniques used in Chinese medicine to restore the healthy flow of chi through one's body.
According to ancient Chinese beliefs, the puncture points correspond to the body's organs through meridians, or channels through which chi is believed to flow. There are 12 main meridians in the human body, and there are 2,000 potential puncture points along these meridians. By inserting needles at these points, organs suffering from chi blockages can be restored.
Aside from ancient Chinese theory, acupuncture has gained some clout with Western researchers as well. These researchers believe that the acupuncture works by regulating the nervous system. According to this Western medical theory, acupuncture needles stimulate the nerve endings under the skin where they are inserted. These nerves then send impulses to the brain for the release of endorphins and other pain-easing bio-chemicals.
When observing brain scans, some researchers have noticed an increased blood flow to the thalamus during acupuncture procedures. The thalamus is an area of the brain responsible for interpreting pain and sensory messages. Drawing conclusions from these observations, researchers speculate that acupuncture may work by altering the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones responsible for sending pain messages to the brain.
In New York State, to practice acupuncture and use the title 'licensed acupuncturist', practitioners must meet educational requirements and pass state and federal examinations. For more information, read this consumer information provided by NYS.
Interested in holistic healing options and alternative medicine in Saratoga? Visit our massage therapy and Saratoga Reiki healing articles.