Of the many forms of alternative medicine, acupuncture has gained much popularity all over the world. This traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) dates back to 100 BC or earlier in China.

Knowledge on Acupuncture

For most of us, we only know about the fact that there are needles involved and that acupuncturists stick it to certain points of the body; aside from that, we do not really have any information regarding this alternative medicine.

Hence, we, at tarot-decks, have compiled some of the most interesting things about acupuncture that people should know. These are the following:

Things You Should Know

• Acupuncture is not based on science for there has been no scientific knowledge that explains its effects or how it works. Hence, it is considered as pseudoscience.
• Historians contend that in the earlier times, sharpened thorns or bamboo were used instead of needles. However, today, acupuncture uses extremely fine needles that are as thin as 2 human hair strands.
• World Health Organization actually recognizes and promotes acupuncture to treat certain symptoms and diseases.
• In the 20th century, acupuncture became popular in America after President Nixon’s visit in China.
• Not everyone can perform acupuncture therapy; only those who are licensed and are graduates of formal programs on acupuncture are authorized to perform the therapy since this therapy actually requires technical knowledge.
• There are actually different types of acupuncture techniques; this is because this alternative medicine has been passed around to different cultures for so many generations; hence, there have been changes, based on the different cultures, incorporated to it.

• Several studies have shown the effectiveness of acupuncture on migraines and headaches, back pains and other pains, nausea and vomiting, colds, and arthritis.
• In China, it is not only used to reduce pain; it is actually used as anesthesia for it is believed to have anesthetic effect.
• Acupuncture points are not universal; it varies from one individual to another. In other words, the acupuncture points of person A are different from the points of person B.
• The human body has an estimate of 2000 acupuncture points or acupoints. However, only about 18 points are used by acupuncturists for the therapy.
• Theories explaining acupuncture greatly relates it to the existence of life force energy called qi. This is because traditionally, the Chinese people explained illnesses and diseases as caused by imbalances of the energy.

Bottom Line

With the approval of the WHO, there is really no reason for us not to try out acupuncture services when all other treatments fail or even if you just want to try it out of curiosity, you should not be scared of it.

Although there are some skeptics and there are those who major in the field of Psychology who believe that acupuncture only institutes placebo effects, it is definitely still worth trying considering the numerous studies on it which have yielded to affirmative results on its effectiveness.

However, acupuncture should only be treated as a complementary therapy; it should not replace medical actions that may only be given by hospitals.