What can be cured with acupuncture. Acupuncture: indications for the treatment of the spine and contraindications. Official medicine does not recognize acupuncture

The benefits and harms of acupuncture have been studied in detail in ancient Chinese treatises on medicine. However, the first mention of such a method of treatment is found in Egyptian written sources, which date back to 2000 BC. As it turned out, the technique of acupuncture was known not only in China. The latter is given a palm branch as a discoverer, since archaeologists made a find (special needles), which dates back to even more ancient times.

What it is

By acting on certain points, acupuncture can get rid of many diseases.

The acupuncture procedure itself is a point impact with needles on biologically active zones of the human body. During the reign of the Han Dynasty, the first monumental work on this technique was published. In it, the author analyzes in detail not only the features of acupuncture, but also the causes of certain diseases that it can cope with. A few centuries later, a more complete guide to acupuncture is being created in China, which includes innovative techniques for that time. Among them, the “hot” needle method is noted, when the tool was heated over a wormwood cigar before use.

Over time, more and more detailed anatomical "maps" of the human body with the image of active points began to be published.

If at the very beginning of the development of acupuncture, the ancient doctors knew only about 300 zones for exposure, then by 1027 their number had doubled. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Chinese physician Yang Ji Zhou did a great job and summarized all the previously acquired knowledge on acupuncture in one book. She gained popularity in his homeland, and by the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. has been translated into other languages and adapted for the rest of the world. Since then, acupuncture has been increasingly practiced in our country. Let's try to find out if acupuncture is useful, why it is done, how it works and what exactly it helps with.

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Health benefits of the procedure

Many saw in medical transmissions people whose body parts were littered with numerous, thin needles. For our compatriots, such procedures will seem like an exotic oddity, of which there are many in the culture of a neighboring country. So why do acupuncture? It acts as the main adjuvant therapy for a number of diseases.

Acupuncture is classified into three types:

Corporate;
Auricular;
Acupuncture disease through the feet.

In the first case, they affect certain points on the human body, and in the second - on separate areas. auricle. The latter, as you know, is similar in shape to the human embryo. On the feet, which seem rough at first glance, concentrated a large number of sensitive points by analogy with the auricle.

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How does the procedure work on the human body:

First of all, it speeds up blood flow. Using the methods of ancient oriental medicine doctors can influence the peculiar "projections" internal organs on the skin. The patient is placed on a special couch, the desired part of the body is exposed, disinfected and pierced with the finest needles. Painful sensations, which many are so afraid of, rarely occur. Chinese medicine includes not only practical treatment, but also a spiritual component;
Acupuncture is actively used for weight loss: it contributes not only to weight loss, but also to the cleansing of tissues from excess fluid, toxins and toxins. Naturally, regular procedures for obesity do not help as effectively if you do not revise your diet. In cosmetology, acupuncture is used to rejuvenate the face, neck and hands - the most important "traitors" who give out age;
Acupuncture for insomnia acts as a sedative for frayed nerves and does not require additional application medicines. Acupuncture for sleep is often performed in conjunction with subsequent aromatherapy. Insomnia is usually treated with auricular acupuncture;
Acupuncture also helps with migraines, VVD and hypertension. Acupuncture is considered effective tool from chronic headache. It is often associated with nervous disorders and stress;
Indications for the use of acupuncture can be almost any chronic disease or the consequences of already suffered ailments or operations;
Recently, acupuncture has been practiced as a remedy for alcoholism and smoking. It is gradually replacing the outdated "coding" - a method that combines hypnosis and psychological influence. Compatibility of acupuncture and alcohol is completely absent. A person who is being treated or undergoing a prophylactic course should give up destructive habits and maintain healthy lifestyle life. Otherwise, the entire therapeutic effect of the procedures will be nullified;
Acupuncture helps with coughs and colds, it also successfully treats sinusitis and sinusitis, even in complex, advanced cases;
Acupuncture in dentistry helps to relieve pain without the use of potent drugs. In difficult cases, without the intervention of a dentist, it will not be possible to eliminate the problem, of course. But with a chronic toothache, acupuncture will help you fall asleep calmly and not be afraid of the negative effect of eating cold or hot food;
For men, procedures are performed for impotence and prostatitis. Since acupuncture normalizes blood flow, with regular sessions, "male power" returns quickly;
Acupuncture helps with arthrosis and other joint diseases;
With epilepsy, systematic visits to the "eastern doctor" will help reduce the frequency of seizures;
Treatment with needles helps restore hearing, so it is used for hearing loss;
Also, the procedures help with neuritis and psoriasis. The latter cannot be completely cured, but it is possible to reduce the area of the affected cover and reduce the frequency of periods of exacerbations;
At multiple sclerosis Eastern practice helps to restore the immune system, the destructive actions of which become the root cause of the disease;
From some types of allergies, procedures either cure completely or reduce the body's response to irritants;
Relieves pain, helps relieve inflammation oriental practice and in case of pinching or damage sciatic nerve.

For more information about the effect of acupuncture on the body, see the video:

What gives acupuncture for osteochondrosis

Pain in the back is perhaps the most common symptom that occurs after 35-40 years. Osteochondrosis is successfully treated with acupuncture. It restores blood circulation in damaged areas of the spine, relieves pain. Needles also affect the adrenal cortex, stimulating the production of cortisone. This hormone is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Due to edema, the nerves and surrounding tissues provoke chronic pain, which is not always relieved even medications. Acupuncture promotes the removal of excess fluid and normalizes sleep, the general condition of the patient.

Does acupuncture help with spinal hernia?

Acupuncture is part of the complex treatment for hernia lumbar. The procedure is carried out in the region of the corresponding section of the spine. Similar therapy is prescribed for patients with cervical hernias. Such therapy is painless for the patient and causes side effects in exceptional cases. Procedures can be performed for any form of the disease, which helps to significantly reduce the proportion drug treatment in complex therapy. Unfortunately, acupuncture only relieves the consequences, but does not affect the original source (the dropped disc). For this reason, it is not considered as an independent treatment.

Benefits of acupuncture for sciatica

If osteochondrosis is considered a disease of the joints, then with sciatica, the nerve fibers themselves are affected. The disease, in fact, is one of the manifestations of osteochondrosis, its consequence, which affects mainly the elderly. It is classified into several types, the most common of which is the lumbosacral. Treatment of sciatica is associated with the treatment of the primary disease, which is mentioned above.

Does acupuncture help after a stroke?

Acupuncture is part of a set of procedures aimed at restoring a patient who has had a stroke. Paralysis is considered one of its most serious consequences. Acupuncture helps to increase the physiological activity of muscles, brings them into a state of tone and restores blood supply.

The benefits of the procedure for women

With menopause, acupuncture will help get rid of the accompanying symptoms that cause discomfort: sleep disturbance, hot flashes, mood swings, irritability and excitability. The benefits of acupuncture for women are not limited to this, since regular procedures help couples who have had fruitless attempts for a long time to conceive a child, and official medicine only shrugged it off, not finding objective reasons. Apart from pharmacological agents and methods traditional medicine, experimental acupuncture is used to build up the endometrium.
Can acupuncture be done for uterine fibroids? Fibroids are classified as benign tumors, but neoplasms appear in the list of contraindications to acupuncture procedures.

With uterine fibroids are prohibited the following types massage:

Lymphatic drainage;
Acupuncture;
Cavitation (exposure to ultrasound);
Regular massage in the abdomen and thighs.

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Contraindications and side effects

Contraindications for acupuncture in adults can be viral infections in acute form, severe exhaustion of the body, pregnancy and the presence of tumors, both malignant and benign. The last contraindication is controversial, since many practice acupuncture even with oncology as an additional therapy. It is worth noting that without consulting your doctor, you should not contact a specialist in oriental medicine. It is also advised to refrain from acupuncture for women during menstruation and nursing mothers. Some types of skin conditions are incompatible with acupuncture, so your dermatologist should have the final say. Scroll side effects limited to headaches, fainting, nausea, tachycardia, painful spasms in the problem area or in the area of the affected organ. Children under 8 years of age are not recommended to conduct sessions.

For more information about contraindications to the procedure, see the video:

How many acupuncture sessions do you need to do?

The number of sessions depends entirely on the recommendations of the specialist who will conduct them. Usually all procedures are grouped into 4 courses. Each of them standardly includes 10 sessions with average duration at about 1 hour. They are carried out at different time intervals depending on the dynamics of the disease and the effectiveness of therapy.

How often can you do it? The first course is usually limited to 10 days (1 procedure per day). Then they take a break of 30 days. The second course also includes 10 sessions, but with an interval of 1 day between them. The third course is carried out 90 days after the second. After it, recovery usually occurs, and subsequent procedures are preventive in nature. They are carried out in 10 sessions every six months. Between the procedures there may be a gap of a day, or they will be carried out daily.

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Conclusion

The benefits of acupuncture and its combination with a small list of contraindications exalt this type of treatment almost to the level of a panacea. However, we have formed a special attitude towards acupuncture as a "quackery" from the dubious field of traditional medicine. So far, it has not been possible to eradicate such a public position.

The two warring camps (for and against) are still in a state of "war", where the main subject of the dispute are the benefits and harms of acupuncture.

It is worth noting that in the West the practice took root much faster and easier than in our country. In the East, acupuncture generally belongs to official medicine, and it is practiced in serious medical institutions.

The essence of acupuncture - theories explaining the therapeutic effect

There are several theories explaining the therapeutic effect of acupuncture.

A change in the electrical discharge at the local level when the needle is placed at a point affects the electrical discharge of the body. The potential from the acupuncture point spreads along the channel and additionally irritates other reflex points.
Bioelectric currents create a resonance, which has a therapeutic effect. When the frequency of oscillations and the wavelength of the biocurrents coincide with the same indications of the tissues of the altered organ, a positive therapeutic effect occurs;
Electrical theory.
Theory of histamine alignment. Normalization of the level of histidine and histamine, formed in the affected organs at the reflex level, through the impact of needles on certain segments of the sympathetic central nervous system and spinal cord. This leads to the normalization of metabolism and capillary blood flow.
- Theory of normalization of blood flow in capillaries. The impact of needles leads to the normalization of blood flow in the capillaries, which leads to a secondary effect - the elimination pathological changes specific organ or system.
- Theory of tissue therapy. It is believed that the therapeutic effect is exerted by the breakdown products of proteins and necrohormones, which are formed at the site of the needle insertion when tissues are injured.
Thermoelectric concept. The needle acts as a kind of thermoprobe and affects thermal homeostasis. When the needle is immersed in an electrolyte medium, an electric potential arises on it, which is optimal for influencing the nervous system. At the same time, two-phase temperatures are noted: excitation is accompanied by a local increase in temperature due to increased blood flow; deceleration is accompanied by a local decrease in temperature. Gold needles are less conductive and have a stimulating effect, while silver needles help to achieve an inhibitory effect.
The theory of hypnosis. Hypnosis is a special state of consciousness in which a directed change in perception and memory is possible. Blood pressure during acupuncture rises to the same level as in response to a painful stimulus (read about), but analgesia is much higher than during conventional hypnosis. Unlike psychotherapeutic techniques, acupuncture works by stimulating the somatic receptors of nerve fibers and the peripheral nervous system.

Reflex mechanisms of acupuncture

The reflex principle of action is considered generally accepted and recognized by official medicine, explaining the benefits of acupuncture. The reflex response is carried out with the involvement of humoral and nervous mechanisms and the participation of most brain structures. Knowing the somatotopic and visceral innervation, it is possible to directly influence a certain function or human organ through external reflex action.

The choice of acupuncture points (acupuncture points) and the depth of their reference is carried out on the basis of the structure of the irritated tissues and the impact zone. The response is realized through the nervous system. Stimulation of a certain reflex point causes the strongest reaction within the metamere or spinal segment with which this point is most closely associated.

This principle is called "metameric reflexology". Today, this mechanism of action has a proven neuroanatomical justification, since the spinal segments include not only skin areas, but also muscles, ligaments, bones, internal organs and blood vessels.

How the needle works

Pain relief. The needle has an exciting effect on the "fast" sensitive nerve fibers: the nerve impulse will get to the brain faster than the pain impulse from the diseased organ, which goes along the "slow" fibers. When injected into the brain, the impulse from the needle activates inhibitory interneurons, which block the parts of the brain that perceive pain from the affected organ.

Improvement in general condition. At the acupuncture point there are nerve endings that belong to the endorphinergic system (the centers of this system are localized in the central gray matter and the nuclear suture of the brain). The excitation of these endings leads to the release of endorphins by the pituitary gland, which have a relaxing and analgesic effect comparable to opium preparations.

Activation of blood supply and innervation. Through a reflex point, the needle activates a part of the brain that regulates the functioning of a particular organ. Its blood supply and innervation are stimulated, which significantly speeds up recovery.

The effect of acupuncture on the body

Improvement of blood circulation;
Normalization of metabolism;
Improvement of the mental state, which is expressed in relaxation or stimulation of the central nervous system (depending on the acupuncture points);
Elimination of edema;
Anesthesia;
Increased immunity;
Anti-inflammatory action;
Normalization of hormonal levels;
Improving the condition of the skin.

Acupuncture treatment - indications

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis, periarthritis, sprain, fractures, scoliosis. Acupuncture is often prescribed for osteochondrosis - it is impossible to completely cure with needles, but it is possible to significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms. Acupuncture is considered the most effective for problems in the cervical spine.
Pathologies of the nervous system: vegetovascular dystonia, neuralgia, sciatica, dizziness, neurosis, hysteria,.
Respiratory diseases: chronic laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchial asthma, chronic pneumonia is not exacerbated.
Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels: heart blockade, arrhythmias, hypotension, hypertension 1-2 tbsp.
Diseases of the digestive system: gastralgia, nausea, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract of functional origin, and 12 duodenal ulcers, cholestasis (bile stasis), constipation.
Diseases genitourinary system: , chronic cystitis, nephritis.
Diseases of the female sphere: infertility due to hormonal imbalance, ovarian dysfunction, menopause, disorders menstrual cycle.
Eye diseases: oculomotor disorders, strabismus, decreased visual acuity.
Allergy: skin itching, neurodermatitis, eczema, urticaria.
Endocrine diseases: type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis and mild thyroiditis, hypothalamic syndrome.
Bad habits: alcoholism, smoking, drug addiction. Acupuncture from smoking and other addictions gives a positive effect only with a strong motivation of a person to get rid of a bad habit.
Obesity. Acupuncture for weight loss is especially recommended at turning points, when a person leaves the willpower and motivation to achieve a normal weight.

It should be understood that acupuncture cannot be considered as a monomethod - it is used in complex treatment with diet, medication and other treatments. Most actively needles are positioned for the treatment of the spine, but one should not expect miracles. For example, if surgery is already indicated for the treatment of a hernia, acupuncture cannot be considered as the main method.

Contraindications for acupuncture

Absolute:

children's age up to 12 months. Many are interested in whether acupuncture is possible for babies up to a year old, especially with various pathologies CNS, in which the procedure has a positive effect. Age up to 12 months is considered absolute contraindication because there is a risk of damage to thin skin and underlying structures;
oncological diseases and benign tumors- activation of blood circulation leads to accelerated tumor growth or metastasis;
blood diseases (leukemia, hemophilia) - deterioration of the state of hematopoiesis and blood;
mental illness - even minor pain and discomfort during the procedure can provoke a fit of excitement or an unpredictable reaction;
alcohol or drug intoxication - an inadequate reaction from the patient's string is also possible;
fever - a violation of the mechanisms that ensure the therapeutic effect of the procedure;
infectious diseases (hepatitis, venereal diseases, purulent inflammatory diseases, AIDS, tuberculosis in an open form) - the procedure can contribute to the spread of the pathogen throughout the body;
diseases immune system- the risk of autoimmune pathologies;
sharp pains of unknown origin- this may be a manifestation of diseases in which the procedure is contraindicated;
complicated pregnancy - the procedure stimulates uterine contractions and can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

Relative - the decision on the possibility of treatment is made by the doctor on an individual basis:

exhaustion;
pregnancy. Not recommended in the second half of pregnancy given treatment even with its normal course;
age of patients over 70 years;
polio;
epilepsy;
strokes;
multiple sclerosis;
hypothalamic syndrome with trophic and neuroendocrine disorders;
progressive muscular dystrophy;
the period of menstruation in women;
physical fatigue, emotional stress.

Local contraindications:

do not use acupuncture points on the front of the head and face in children under 7 years old;
skin lesions of any etiology at the site of the needle;
varicose veins (you can not put needles in the places where the veins are projected);
scars, scars.

special instructions

Even official medicine recognizes that in order for the treatment to be effective, one must believe in success;
You can not come to the procedure immediately after eating or on an empty stomach, as well as after intravenous injections;
You should tell the doctor about all the drugs that were taken before the procedure;
Before the procedure, you can not visit the sauna or bath;
During the entire course of treatment, you should refrain from drinking alcohol;
During the procedure, a person should feel comfortable. Hypothermia is undesirable, since spasmodic muscles and blood vessels reduce the effect of treatment.

How is an acupuncture session performed?

The acupuncture room is equipped in such a way that a person experiences a feeling of psychological comfort. If several patients are admitted at once, an individual booth or a fenced couch is provided for each. The procedure can be accompanied by light music, which has a positive effect on the treatment of neurosis, hysteria and other pathologies of the nervous system.

After disinfecting the skin, the doctor gently twists the needles into certain biologically active points, or the needle is inserted using a special device. The points are selected depending on the patient's disease (for example, with cervical osteochondrosis, acupuncture points are located at the inner edge of the scapula, etc.).

Usually, 8-10 needles are placed in one session, which are in the patient's body for 20-40 minutes. By the end of the procedure, some needles themselves come out of the tissues or the doctor removes them painlessly for the patient.

The frequency and duration of treatment are determined individually, but in any case, you should be prepared for a course of 10-12 procedures that are performed daily. For the treatment of pathologies that have arisen for the first time in complex therapy, 1 course of acupuncture is sufficient, while chronic pathologies require a course of treatment with needles once a quarter.

Some patients notice relief after the first session of acupuncture, while others need several weeks after the end of the session for the body to respond with a positive effect. In any case, the effect of the procedure is an individual indicator that depends on the state of the body.

What does the patient feel when placing needles?

In general, the procedure is well tolerated and does not cause discomfort, much less severe pain. Feelings when setting needles are individual and depend on the individual threshold of sensitivity.

The needles have a rounded edge, so they do not pierce the skin, but push it apart. During the procedure, a person feels a pulsation and slight pressure at the acupuncture points. There may be a feeling of slight tingling, itching and warmth. Some patients report a feeling of heaviness, numbness, electric shock.

Harm of acupuncture - side effects

After acupuncture, some patients may develop undesirable effects:

bruising and pain at the site of the needle (if a blood vessel is damaged);
infection with diseases transmitted through the blood (hepatitis C, B, HIV), which is associated with non-compliance with the rules for the disinfection of needles;
damage to the underlying tissues as a result of the low qualification of the doctor and the violation of the technique of setting the needle;
malignancy of benign formations when they are injured with a needle (moles, keloid scars);
drop in blood pressure, up to fainting.

The range of possibilities of the popular technique is not traditional medicine– acupuncture, or acupuncture, or acupuncture – great.

The need for the services of masters is growing, and followers and critics of the direction argue - acupuncture: harm or benefit?

The principle of this branch of medicine is based on the stabilization of life processes, stimulation of the energy balance in the body. Acupuncture helps with diseases of the musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract relieves tension and normalizes the nervous system as a whole.

According to ancient Chinese teaching, the whole body is a single whole. Changes in one department entail a transformation in the work of the whole organism. Acupuncture, or bioactive points, are areas on the body where the body's vital energy, Qi (qi) energy, can be blocked. Western scientists give another explanation: when pressing on certain reflex points, the body releases endorphins - painkillers, which provide an analgesic effect.

The technique of the technique is simple: the specialist injects into certain bioactive points under skin covering and the underlying tissues with the thinnest (up to 0.5 mm) and sharp metal needle, sharpened in a special way. Current acupuncture involves the use of sterile stainless steel needles.

Pain from the injection is minimal, the patient feels only the numbness, aches, and bursting provided for by the treatment.

The procedures are similar to each other: before the start of the session, the specialist conducts diagnostics, arranges the needles in the required quantity (depending on the nature of the disease) and in order, and leaves the patient alone for 20-40 minutes. The peculiarity of acupuncture sessions is that each subsequent session is somewhat more painful than the previous one. The explanation for this effect is the conductivity nervous tissue gradually increases and the sensitivity to injections increases.

A course of acupuncture often consists of 10-12 daily sessions. Then take a break, and, if necessary, repeat.

Often, acupuncture is combined with traditional methods treatment. As a result, you can significantly reduce the feeling of pain in the pre and postoperative period.

Preparing for an acupuncture session

Before the session are prohibited:

physical exercise;
intravenous injections;
take the procedure on a full or empty stomach;
take the procedure on a full bladder.

During the course of treatment, it is undesirable to eat spicy and spicy dishes, take alcoholic beverages.

It is also necessary to inform the specialist about all medications and physiotherapy procedures that you receive at the same time as acupuncture. Women are not recommended to carry out the procedure during the menstrual cycle.

Indications for the use of acupuncture

The technique of acupuncture, or acupuncture, affects the body by activating dozens of active points. For this reason, the range of application of the method is unusually wide:

Eye diseases: acute form conjunctivitis, cataract, retinopathy, myopia;
Diseases digestive system: ulcers, constipation, acute form of gastritis, colitis, diarrhea, dyskinesia;
ENT diseases: rhinitis, incl. allergic, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis;
Diseases of the oral cavity: gingivitis, toothache;
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system:, and others, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, sprains of the tendons and inflammation of some ligaments;
Diseases of the nervous system: migraine, neuralgia, poliomyelitis, headaches, depression, radiculitis, sleep disturbance, facial paralysis;
Respiratory diseases: pneumonia, bronchitis;
Diseases of the genitourinary system: cystitis, prostatitis, urethritis, urinary incontinence, sexual disorders, renal colic.

Acupuncture activates the internal reserves of the body, which contributes to weight correction, normalization of metabolic processes, rejuvenation of the body, shows good results in the fight against smoking and alcohol abuse.

Pros and cons

For an objective answer to the question “What are the benefits and harms of acupuncture?”, It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the opinions of supporters and critics of the technique.

Proponents of acupuncture claim that side effects are not characteristic of it. Unlike drug therapy, which affects both affected and healthy organs, professionally performed acupuncture brings only benefits. A reflexologist with appropriate qualifications and experience can successfully deal with pain relief. The number of bioactive points on the body reaches 700 - only a professional knows exactly how and where they are located.

Opponents of acupuncture are skeptical about the results of the technique. According to them, acupuncture is not a panacea, and far from universally copes with the elimination of pain. There is also a significant side effect - the risk of infection through the use of non-sterile needles. Other side effects include hematomas, bleeding at the injection site.

Trusting a “non-professional”, you will optimally not feel anything, in the worst case, you will cause serious harm to the body.

Therefore, before making a decision “for” and “against”, we recommend that you carefully read the reviews about the benefits and harms of acupuncture.

Contraindications and limitations for acupuncture

Damage to the skin;
Oncological diseases;
Hypertensive crisis;
Pregnancy;
post-infarction condition;
Infectious diseases;
Alcohol intoxication and drug trance;
Severe depletion of the body;
Tuberculosis;
Age over 75 years - it is considered ineffective to use acupuncture.

Acupuncture is widely used in the combined treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Positive result achieved through the coordinated action of three factors: pain, muscle relaxation and normalization of metabolism through improved blood circulation.

This triple effect is a key reason why acupuncture for osteoarthritis knee joint effective and very popular unconventional way treatment.

Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee

Under the correct influence on bioactive areas, a specialist in several sessions can achieve the following results:

Cupping pain with minimal harmful effects on the body;
Muscle relaxation, which leads to the suspension of the inflammatory process;
Reducing swelling by saturating tissues with useful substances and oxygen.

If the patient complains of increased pain, dizziness, coldness, nausea and sudden sweating, the session must be stopped.

Cost of the procedure

At the moment, acupuncture has proven its effectiveness to the majority, and the demand for it is growing. At the same time, the price remains affordable for everyone. To the question "How much does acupuncture cost?" There is no definite answer for the reason that the cost of the course depends on many circumstances:

The general state of the organism;
Diseases;
Individual characteristics of the patient, etc.

Summing up all of the above, the question "What is acupuncture?" It can be argued that this is an effective prophylactic agent.

Minimum contraindications, no side effects and allergies, the cost of expensive medicines - make acupuncture as attractive as possible for both prevention and treatment.

Acupuncture- this is the impact of needles on reflex points. According to Chinese healers, these points are located on the channels through which the “vital energy” qi circulates. This method of Chinese traditional medicine has other names: zhen-jiu therapy, acupuncture.

Scope of acupuncture extremely wide: pain relief of various origins, treatment of allergy manifestations, acceleration of bone fusion after fractures, gynecological diseases, pathologies of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, fight against bad habits.

properties of acupuncture. The technique has a lot positive effects for the body:

improves blood circulation and normalizes metabolism
improves mental condition: relaxes or stimulates, depending on which points are treated by the reflexologist
relieves and relieves swelling
boosts immunity
has an anti-inflammatory effect
normalizes the production of hormones
improve appearance and skin condition

To date, discussions continue in scientific circles about whether acupuncture can be considered a method of official medicine. The idea that energy circulates through special channels in the human body seems prescientific to some scientists. And since its existence could not be proved, acupuncture is more likely to be an alternative medicine.

History of acupuncture. The history of acupuncture goes back over 6,000 years. The first written evidence of the use of needles in medical purposes date back to 1.5-2 thousand years BC. However, the findings of archaeologists suggest that the foundations of acupuncture were laid in the Stone Age.

There is controversy where needles were first used to influence the reflex zones. Traditionally, China is considered the birthplace of this method, but a number of serious scientific papers confirm that acupuncture was invented by the Uighurs. A mummy over 5,000 years old was found in the Tyrolean Alps. Fifteen groups of tattoos were found on the man's body, which exactly corresponded to the points of insertion of the needles. This find suggests that Europeans also used acupuncture.

From the moment of its invention to the present day, this method has repeatedly experienced flights or been recognized as pseudoscience. In China, in 1822, the emperor issued a decree abolishing the study and use of acupuncture. Chiang Kai-shek tried to do the same in the 1920s.

Chinese pediatrician Chen Dan'an adapted acupuncture to modern medicine. He replaced thick needles with thin ones, summarized the knowledge of various acupuncture practices, and compiled an accurate map of reflex points, of which there are 664.

In the USSR, acupuncture began to be used in the 1940s. This technique was recognized by the Ministry of Health more than half a century ago. It is widely used by physiotherapists and reflexologists, and large hospitals have entire acupuncture departments.

Mechanism of therapeutic action of acupuncture

Traditionally, acupuncture is based on the principles of Taoism, the teachings of yin and yang, and Chinese astrology. According to the ideas of Chinese healers, the disease occurs when the movement of the vital energy qi through special channels - the meridians - is disrupted. Impact on reflex points helps to eliminate obstacles in the way of qi and restore harmony.

Modern medicine proves the effectiveness of acupuncture in terms of the functioning of the nervous system. The impact of needles on reflex zones triggers several mechanisms at once.

The needle excites "fast" sensitive nerve fibers. The nerve impulse enters the brain faster than pain impulses from the affected organs, traveling along the "slow" nerve fibers. Once in the brain, the impulse caused by the needle activates special cells- inhibitory interneurons. They block those areas of the brain that perceived pain from the affected organ. Thus, the analgesic effect of acupuncture is provided.

At the reflex point there are nerve endings related to the endorphinergic system. Its centers are in the nuclear suture and central gray matter. Their excitation leads to the release of endorphins by the pituitary gland, which have a strong analgesic effect, comparable to opium preparations. As a result, the work of the nervous system and the general condition of the body improves.

With the help of acupuncture, a part of the brain is activated that regulates the work of a separate organ. Thus, its innervation and blood supply improves, which contributes to a speedy recovery. This theory was confirmed by MRI and Doppler ultrasonography, therefore it is considered the most reliable.

Acupuncture is partly based on the placebo effect, in other words, self-hypnosis. Therefore, the stronger the patient believes in the success of the treatment and trusts the doctor, the higher the result will be. However, it should be noted that acupuncture helps children and animals, although self-hypnosis is absent in this case.

Conditions for successful acupuncture treatment

Full confidence in the method and in the doctor conducting the treatment session.
Only disposable or sterile needles should be used for acupuncture. This protects against infection with infections transmitted through the blood.
Do not start treatment immediately before or after meals. The procedure should be carried out no earlier than 30 minutes before or after a meal.
Do not start treatment after intense physical exertion.
It is not recommended to perform acupuncture after visiting a sauna or a hot bath.
The patient should not be hypothermic during the procedure. This causes spasm of muscles and blood vessels, which reduces the effect of treatment.

indications for acupuncture

Diseases of the musculoskeletal system: osteochondrosis, arthritis, arthrosis, periarthritis, sprain, myositis, bursitis, fractures, heel spurs, scoliosis of the spine.

Diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system: neuralgia, neuritis, sciatica, vertebral hernia, vegetative-vascular dystonia, dizziness, migraine, neurosis, nocturnal enuresis, hysteria, tics.

Diseases respiratory system : bronchial asthma, chronic laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, chronic pneumonia without exacerbation.

Diseases of cardio-vascular system : arrhythmias, heart blockades, hypertension of 1-2 degrees, arterial hypotension.

Diseases of the digestive system: nausea, gastralgia, functional disorders Gastrointestinal tract, gastroduodenitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, constipation, cholestasis (bile stasis).

Diseases urinary organs : prostatitis , nephritis , chronic cystitis .
Gynecological diseases: hormonal infertility, ovarian dysfunction, climacteric syndrome, menstrual disorders.

Ophthalmic diseases: strabismus, oculomotor disorders, decreased visual acuity.

Allergy manifestations: skin itching , neurodermatitis , eczema , urticaria .

Endocrine disorders: type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypothalamic syndrome, mild degree thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis.

Help with bad habits: smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction.

Treatment of excess weight.

Acupuncture is not an independent and universal method of treating diseases. It is used in combination with drug therapy, diet therapy, and other physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.

Contraindications for acupuncture

Like other types of reflexology, acupuncture has a number of contraindications. They are divided into absolute and relative.

Absolute contraindications:

Age up to 1 year. In children early age very thin skin, so when needles are inserted, the risk of damage to internal organs increases.

Tumors. Acupuncture improves blood circulation and therefore may promote tumor growth and metastasis.

Blood diseases(leukemia and hemophilia). Acupuncture can cause a deterioration in the condition of the blood and blood-forming organs due to the acceleration of blood circulation.

Mental disorders . Since acupuncture can be accompanied by minor pain and stress, it can provoke an inadequate reaction and arousal in the patient.

The state of alcohol and drug intoxication. In such a situation, the patient behaves inappropriately and cannot follow the instructions of the doctor.

Feverish conditions. Diseases accompanied by fever disrupt the functioning of the central nervous system. As a result, the mechanisms that provide the therapeutic effect of acupuncture are violated.

infectious diseases (AIDS, open form of tuberculosis, hepatitis, venereal diseases, purulent inflammation) in this case, acupuncture can contribute to the spread of the pathogen throughout the body. There is evidence that the use of reflexology can provoke an inadequate immune response and cause autoimmune diseases.

Acute surgical pathology(acute appendicitis, strangulated inguinal hernia, cyst rupture, perforated ulcer). In such cases, patients need emergency surgery. Procrastination and the use of other treatments can be fatal.

Acute pain of unknown origin may be symptoms of diseases in which acupuncture is contraindicated.

Pathological pregnancy. Acupuncture can cause uterine contractions and induce preterm labour.

Relative contraindications(increased risk of side effects and complications, the final decision is made by the doctor):

age over 70;
exhaustion;
uncomplicated pregnancy;
cerebrovascular accident (stroke);
progressive muscular dystrophy;
a state of severe and physical fatigue or emotional stress.

Local contraindications(it is not recommended to influence the points in the affected area)

children under 7 years of age are not recommended to influence the points located on the face and front of the head;
skin lesions at the injection site;
scars

Side effects of acupuncture

After the procedure, side effects may develop.

Soreness and bruising at the site of the needle insertion. Occurs when a blood vessel is damaged.

infection hepatitis, AIDS can occur with multiple use of needles. Soaking in alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and boiling does not kill all microorganisms and their spores. Therefore, the use of reusable needles carries the risk of infection.

Damage blood vessels, nerves, tendons, internal organs. Experienced doctor inserts needles at an angle to certain points and to the desired depth. When important structures are damaged, sharp pain occurs. In the event that bacteria get into the puncture, inflammation develops.

Development malignant tumors in case of injury benign neoplasms , birthmarks, keloid scars. These formations contain cells that tend to degenerate into malignant formations after injury.

decline blood pressure , which is manifested by dizziness, tinnitus, weakness and nausea. In some cases, it can lead to fainting. This complication develops in patients who are under stress, severe physical fatigue.

Note that the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture depends entirely on the experience and skill of the doctor, as well as on the patient's mood for recovery.

Which consist in exposure with a therapeutic and prophylactic purpose to irritation (of a certain strength, nature, duration) caused by introducing needles into biologically active zones. This method of treatment has been known since ancient times. Acupuncture originated more than five thousand years ago in China, when the healers of that time discovered points on the human body, when influenced by which, many painful phenomena disappear. This method of therapeutic effect is a kind of manual therapy and is actively used in our time.

Action on the body

The method is based on mechanical stimulation of acupuncture points. More than a thousand such points are known on the human body; they are separate multifunctional areas in the subcutaneous fat, associated with the underlying nerve conductors. In all people, most acupuncture points have the same anatomical features, they can be located along large nerve trunks, neurovascular bundles, at the exit points of nerve fibers from bone foramens, etc.

Every person has these points from birth. Their location is determined by the anatomical regions and lines by measuring proportional segments, by palpation or by a technical method. Each of these areas has an influence through neurohumoral mechanisms on certain organs and systems, causing various reactions of a local, segmental or general nature. Their stimulation restores the balance between excitation and inhibition in the structures of the brain.

A local reaction is manifested by a change in color, blood circulation, skin sensitivity. It is a source of subjective sensations and is the basis for other reactions of the body. The reaction at the segmental level arises as a result of the receipt of impulses from the zone of irritation to certain segments of the spinal cord. General reaction develops when these impulses enter the cerebral cortex and the reticular formation. These processes have a normalizing direction, increase the protective abilities of the body.

Features of the procedure

Acupuncture is done daily or every other day. The time of the session is selected individually, taking into account the activity of the patient. In order to excite the procedure, they are prescribed when the patient wakes up, and to achieve an inhibitory effect, before going to bed. The course of treatment accounts for an average of 10-20 procedures, it can be repeated after 2-3 weeks. Maintenance therapy can be carried out 1-2 times a week. The total number of procedures, the duration of the intervals between sessions, the duration and number of courses and intervals without treatment depend on the dynamics of the disease.

The process of acupuncture is carried out by introducing the finest metal needles at different depths. They can be made from different metals (steel, silver, gold). Needles can be removed gradually (1-2 minutes) in a rotational way or quickly in one movement. The choice of certain points and their combination matters. Joint introduction at symmetrical points, a combination of their irritation in the lower extremities, their cross combination, as well as a combination of general and segmental influence can be used. The expected effects of this procedure depend on the technique of its implementation, the initial state of the body and the choice of the site of exposure, the technique of introducing needles.

Sedative (brake) acupuncture technique

Needles are inserted with slow rotational movements to a depth of 12 cm at 4-6 points. They can remain in this position for an hour, and sometimes more (with a strong version) or for 20-30 minutes (with a weak version). At the same time, intense, almost painless irritation increases, which has a local specific effect. It is recommended for pathological conditions that are accompanied by convulsions, pain, spasms.

Tonic (exciting) acupuncture technique

The depth of insertion of needles is not more than 0.6 cm sequentially at 8-10 points. The mechanical impact is strong, shallow, accompanied by a feeling of passage electric current and a little soreness. Irritation can be carried out with one needle for a couple of seconds (strong option) or with 3 needles - 3-5 minutes. Impulses from the focus of irritation are of a non-specific diffuse nature, used for atony, paresis, paralysis.

Main therapeutic effects

Reduces pain.
Eliminates spasms.
Increases adaptive, compensatory and protective reactions of the body.
Improves blood circulation.
Desensitizing action.
vasoactive effect.

Indications for use

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels (atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease,.
Respiratory pathology (bronchitis,).
Diseases of the ENT organs (,).
Diseases of the digestive system ( functional dyspepsia, gastritis, ulcerative processes in the stomach, cholecystitis, dyskinesia biliary tract, pancreatitis, colitis).
Endocrine pathology (, diabetes).
, angioedema, .
Diseases and injuries of the joints and muscles.
Diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, pathological menopause).
Diseases of the peripheral nervous system (neuritis, neuralgia, radicular syndromes, plexitis, solaritis).
Neuroses (neurasthenic, hysterical neurosis, tics).
Consequences of a stroke, poliomyelitis.
Epilepsy, Parkinson's disease.
, Meniere's disease.

Contraindications

Pregnancy in the second half.
Senile age and age up to a year.
Fever of various origins.
Acute infections.
Acute surgical pathology.
Pain syndrome of unknown etiology.
Exhaustion.
Oncological diseases.
active tuberculosis.
Severe heart, kidney, liver failure.
Acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident.
Addiction.
Acute psychoses.
Condition after severe physical activity taking a hot bath.

Advantages of this method

Availability.
High efficiency.
Ease of implementation.
Small risk of complications and side effects.
No need for medication.

Disadvantages of acupuncture

Soreness at the injection site.
Bruising in case of damage to the vessel.
Possibility of damage to nerves and tendons.
Risk of infection (bacteria, HIV, viral hepatitis, etc.).

Conclusion

Acupuncture is an effective and safe treatment method various diseases. It depends on the qualifications and skill of the specialist who conducts this procedure. Acupuncture helps to reduce the manifestations of the disease and improves the general condition of patients.

TV channel SGU TV, program " evidence-based medicine”, cardiologist Sergey Drapkin talks about acupuncture: