Naturopathic medicine and acupuncture

All naturopathic doctors receive training in acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. One of the many benefits to seeing a naturopath is that he or she can choose from a large variety of non-invasive treatment methods and may combine methods to best assist the patient.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a technique involving the insertion of fine needles into the skin at selected points. The theory and practice of acupuncture dates back as much as 4,000-5,000 years. Acupuncture was first brought to Europe in the 17th century, and has been gaining steady acceptance around the world ever since, backed up by literally thousands of scientific studies documenting it's effectiveness.

How does Acupuncture work?

There are two main models currently in use trying to explain how acupuncture works, one being the holistic Eastern traditional Chinese medical model based on an understanding of energy flow in the human body,the other the Western reductionistic,scientific approach, based on examining changing levels of hormones and other chemicals in the body as a result of acupuncture treatments. As it turns out, both approaches to understanding the mechanism of acupuncture are valid.

What is the Background and Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine?

The principles and theories underlying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) date back to the ancient times of the great Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, about 2,000 years BC. Huangdi is viewed by the Chinese as the "symbol of vital spirit of Chinese civilization", and is a legendary figure held in great esteem. Under his reign and with his input the 'Huang Di Nei Jing', the Yellow Emperor's textbook of physical medicine, was compiled. The Chinese doctors of those ancient times based their theories upon a philosophical view of nature, humans being an integral part of nature and both being in a continuous state of change and development.

Several fundamental principles comprise the underlying theory of TCM. These include the theory of the five elements, Yin and Yang, Qi and Zang Fu.

The concepts of Yin and Yang as well as Qi are the most important principles and will be explained in detail. Yin and Yang are the principles of polarity which are found throughout all of nature, examples are heat and cold, darkness and light, wet and dry, breathing in and breathing out. These opposites complement each other in a dynamic process. According to TCM Yin and Yang are the base upon which all diagnosis and treatment depends. In perfect health, which means perfect balance, Yin and Yang are harmonious forces functioning smoothly in the human body. The TCM practitioner uses case history taking as well as observation of the patient's tongue and taking of the pulse in a special way to determine what kind of Yin-Yang imbalance he or she is suffering from.

Another fundamental principle of TCM is the concept of Qi, or Chi, which is the energy that flows throughout the organism and gives it life. The Qi flows through a system of channels also called meridians and regulates all body functions. It is possible to regulate the flow of the Qi and thereby the balance of Yin and Yang by inserting acupuncture needles into specific points on these channels or meridians. A deficiency of Qi can cause weakness and fatigue, stagnation of Qi is often manifested as pain, an excess of Qi may cause agitation and inflammatory conditions. Qi is therefor the basic energy, manifesting as it's polar opposites of Yin and Yang, which need to be in harmonious balance.

How does Western Medicine explain the Mechanism of Action of Acupuncture?

Western medical science is more interested in measuring changes in body chemicals and nerve impulses as a result of any medical intervention. Research has shown that acupuncture can indeed change the levels of certain brain chemicals, such as endorphins, which can cause analgesia (pain relief). There has been quite a lot of interest in the West in studying the analgesic effects of acupuncture. Dr. Bruce Pomeranz, MD, PhD, a professor of zoology and physiology at the University of Toronto has spent the last twenty years of his life researching the mechanism of acupuncture in his laboratory and has published almost a hundred studies on the topic to date. According to his findings, acupuncture analgesia (AA) is initiated by the stimulation of small nerve fibres in muscles, which send impulses to the spinal cord. From there the spinal cord, mid brain and pituitary are activated to release transmitter chemicals, including endorphins and monoamines, which block pain messages. Repeated treatments create a cumulative effect on endorphin levels, producing more and more benefit for the patient over time.

There are also a number of research studies documenting increases in brain serotonin and norepinephrine levels with acupuncture, which might help to explain acupuncture's benefits in the treatment of depression, smoking cessation and appetite control.

Acupuncture also seems to increase cortisol levels, which tend to be low in patients suffering from chronic stress and inflammatory disorders, such as arthritis and asthma, which acupuncture has been shown to help.

What kinds of Conditions can Acupuncture treat?

Virtually all acute and chronic health conditions can benefit from acupuncture. Acute conditions such as injuries, including sprains and strains as well as common infections such as colds, flus, fevers etc respond well to acupuncture.

Chronic conditions such as chronic pain conditions, migraines, arthritis, asthma, neurological conditions and metal/emotional imbalances can also be treated successfully with acupuncture.

Is Acupuncture safe?

Acupuncture is very safe as long as disposable needles are used and the practitioner is properly trained. Acupuncture needles are very thin and are generally not inserted very deeply into the body with few exceptions. There is usually no bleeding or pain from the needles except in some very sensitive areas such as the face or hands.