[[[[[[[[[[[
Acupuncture
is the Chinese practice of puncturing the body at specific points to cure
disease or relieve pain. Many
researchers trace the root of today acupuncture to the Chinese Emperor
Huang-ti (2697 – 2596 B.C.).
By
most estimates the practice of some forms of acupuncture can be dated over
5,000 years ago.
Patients
and acupuncture practitioners testify miraculous healing powers of acupuncture. Metal
needles, according to the theory, are inserted into the skin of
patients at special points along energy paths in order to bring balance
and health.
The
Encyclopedia of Alternative
Medicine and Self-Help notes that acupuncture
can be effectively used to treat emotional problems such as anxiety and
depression as well as a host of physical ailments including headaches,
ulcers, digestive disorders, arthritis, sciatica, psoriasis, asthma, bronchitis,
etc.
The
Encyclopedia of Alternative Health Care reports three basic types of treatments:
Traditional
Acupuncture: The oldest
form was used primarily as a preventive treatment, to maintain the balance
of body energy.
Symptomatic
Acupuncture: To treat pain
and discomfort associated with injury or disease.
Anesthetic
Acupuncture: The use of needles
instead of or as an aid to traditional anesthesia during surgery or dental
work. It is a mixture of Western
and Chinese technology.
The
Holistic Heath Handbook explains the Acupuncture Theory: The classic text
of acupuncture theory and practice is Nei-ching. Itis
based on Eastern religious theories
concerning the nature of the universe. All
of nature and the universe are eternally existing as vibrations of impersonal,
polarized energy called Yin and Yang.
According to this Taoist dualism, the key to spiritual, mental, and physical
well-being is to balance the positive and negative aspects of this energy.
Acupuncture
is based on Chinese religious theories, including Taoist philosophy and
Yin Yang dualism. Chinese practitioners
speculate that this invisible energy flowed along unseen paths called meridians. For
health to be maintained Yin Yang must flow without hindrance and the skill
of the acupuncturist lies in his ability to free the meridians so that
there is an even energy flow. This
is done by the light insertion of needles of pure copper, silver, or gold
into the flesh at specific points along the lines of the meridians.
Acupuncturist
Dr. Stephen Thomas Chang, founder of the Tao Foundation in San Francisco
and Vice-President of the Chinese Medical Association in Japan writes:“Energy
flows through the body via the meridians and their respective organs and
bowels in well – defined cycles, the cycles of the flow of energy within
the body are an exact reflection of the cyclic energy in interaction between
the five earthly elements fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. In
the first cycle of generation, each element generates the succeeding element.”
Dr.
Chang, who is the author of The Complete Book ofAcupuncture,
concludes, “According to the
Law of the Five Elements, the lungs (metal) support the kidneys (water). If
the lungs are indisposed and consequently must use all their energy to
sustain their functions, the kidneys must become polluted, because they
do not have enough energyto function. To
revitalize the kidneys, one must treat the lungs.”
Dr.
Morris Fishbein and many Western physicians are interested in the area
of anesthetic acupuncture. “Authorities
on pain believe that acupuncture somehow send signals to the brain that
compete with or eliminate pain signals that ordinarily would accompany
surgery.” (Dr. Fishbein’s
Illustrated Medical and Health Encyclopedia).
Some
researchers also believe that puncturing the skin could help release endorphins
(a naturally occurring chemical similar to the drug morphine), adrenalin
or other body chemicals that can blunt or mask pain. These
and similar theories, in addition to some clinical work with anesthetized
laboratory animals, give some scientific support for limited effectiveness
of acupuncture to temporarily relieve some types of pain.
Studies
also suggest that part of acupuncture’s effectiveness is psychosomatic. Authorities
on pain, “also suspect that the psychological component of successful acupuncture
is strong and the procedure works most effectively with persons who are
generally friendly, cooperative, helpful, and strong believers in the principles
of a religious or political system. Possibly
a degree of self-hypnosis in controlling pain is significant. (Fishbein’s,
page 42).
Some
weeks ago, my wife started getting weekly acupuncture treatments to relieve
chronic pain on the hand. Prior
to the treatments, it was painful for her trying to put hands behind the
back. Some of my friends mentioned
Shanghai Acupuncture located at 9655-B Bolsa Avenue in Westminster, California,
telephone number(714) 642-1071.
We
are very happy that we have had treatments from Dr. Rebecca Zhu and Dr.
Peter Su. We met many satisfied
customers who visited the office.They
are not only in the United States but some who are from Germany, New Zealand,
France, Canada, Ethiopia….who came here for the specific purpose of getting
acupuncture at Shanghai Acupuncture.
Doanh with Dr. Peter Su of Shanghai Acupuncture in
Westminster, California
Our
physician at Kaiser, Dr. Joseph Huang, MD suggests physical therapy going
together with acupuncture.
You
can find acupuncture practitioners by asking for referrals from physicians
or friends.The American Academy
of Medical Acupuncturists and the American Association of Oriental Medicine
can help you find a licensed acupuncturist in your area.
One
very special medical doctor whose practice is limited to acupuncture I
would like to mention is Jonathan Kapsten in Northampton, MA.He
received his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School in 1981and
remained in private practice until 1998.In
1998, Dr. Kapsten returned to school for 3 years of study and clinical
training.He received his Master
of Acupuncture degree from the New England School of Acupuncture in 2001.
NGUYEN
KINH DOANH
JUNE 2006
CELLULAR
(213) 361-7929
E-MAIL:
DOANH1@SBCGLOBAL.NET
WEBSITE: WWW.NGUYENKINHDOANH.COM