Acupuncture as an Alternative Medicine in the Western Culture
Debora Cytrynowicz
Acupuncture as an Alternative Medicine
( in the Western Culture)
Alternative medicine is a very general term whose definition can be very controversial. Basically, it is many holistic techniques for preventing and treating illnesses. Acupuncture, and many other therapies, have long been a part of Asian cultures and have recently been integrated into the Western culture. Since Acupuncture is such an important tradition in China, it has gained much respect from other cultures.
Acupuncture is a strong component in China, and can be traced to their health care system for at least 2,500 years.
The procedure involves inserting hair-thin steel surgical needles into specific points in the body which are supposed to make you feel better, and be healthier. This is only the technical aspect though. To understand the "art" of this procedure, you must have a background on Chinese medicine. How it works is this: health is achieved though the balance of the opposing forces between "yin" (spirit), and "yang" (blood). The attraction between them creates an energy called "Qi" ( pronounced chee). This energy flows to all parts of the body through channels which are known as "meridians" (pathways that run along the surface of the body and branch into the body's interior). An imbalance in these forces is what is believed to cause illness and disease. When needles are placed on the acupuncture points along the meridians, balance, and hence, health is restored. There are several styles of acupuncture, the differences being how the acupuncture points are stimulated (be it by hand pressure, electrical impulse, ultrasound, or wavelengths of light).
Acupuncture was introduced to American doctors by Sir William Osler, who is often called the father of modern medicine. In a classic medical textbook written more than a century ago, he said, "For lumbago, acupuncture is, in acute cases, the most efficient treatment." The first time acupuncture really got notice
Acupuncture as an Alternative Medicine
( in the Western Culture)
Alternative medicine is a very general term whose definition can be very controversial. Basically, it is many holistic techniques for preventing and treating illnesses. Acupuncture, and many other therapies, have long been a part of Asian cultures and have recently been integrated into the Western culture. Since Acupuncture is such an important tradition in China, it has gained much respect from other cultures.
Acupuncture is a strong component in China, and can be traced to their health care system for at least 2,500 years.
The procedure involves inserting hair-thin steel surgical needles into specific points in the body which are supposed to make you feel better, and be healthier. This is only the technical aspect though. To understand the "art" of this procedure, you must have a background on Chinese medicine. How it works is this: health is achieved though the balance of the opposing forces between "yin" (spirit), and "yang" (blood). The attraction between them creates an energy called "Qi" ( pronounced chee). This energy flows to all parts of the body through channels which are known as "meridians" (pathways that run along the surface of the body and branch into the body's interior). An imbalance in these forces is what is believed to cause illness and disease. When needles are placed on the acupuncture points along the meridians, balance, and hence, health is restored. There are several styles of acupuncture, the differences being how the acupuncture points are stimulated (be it by hand pressure, electrical impulse, ultrasound, or wavelengths of light).
Acupuncture was introduced to American doctors by Sir William Osler, who is often called the father of modern medicine. In a classic medical textbook written more than a century ago, he said, "For lumbago, acupuncture is, in acute cases, the most efficient treatment." The first time acupuncture really got notice