Acupuncture is one of the most widely used alternative therapies in recent times to restore health or fight various types of addictions.
It is a traditional medical therapy originating in China that consists of inserting needles into different points of the body for health purposes.
What is acupuncture?
- Acupuncture is a treatment influenced by Chinese philosophy, which views the world as a whole related to each other, just like the human body. This philosophy divides the body into 14 meridians through which energy flows and acupuncture points.
- Using the needles at these points is intended to balance the energy of the meridians that have been affected by a disorder, whether of external or internal origin, and that can trigger a disease. Regarding the scientific basis of this ancient technique, most of the theories determine that acupuncture affects the nervous system, producing a release of endorphins, neurotransmitters that have analgesic effects and work to reduce pain.
Acupuncture and disease
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized in 1979 the efficacy of acupuncture and drew up a list of ailments for which it is considered useful.
- Among the most common are migraines, acute rhinitis, gastritis, nocturnal enuresis, acute conjunctivitis, gingivitis, low back pain, stress, sciatica and eczema.
Acupuncture in gynecology and obstetrics
- Chinese medicine was traditionally used to treat women’s own ailments or to improve fertility and the health of future children. According to the Ampere Health Channel, acupuncture is effective in disorders such as dysmorrhoea, menstrual cycle disorders and menopausal pathologies.
- Regarding fertility treatments, experts believe that applying this technique together with in vitro fertilization technology would increase the chances of pregnancy by one more in ten women treated.
Needles to quit smoking
- Acupuncture is also proving useful to fight against tobacco. According to Doctor Belt ran Carrillo, from the Madrid Acupuncture Clinic, this technique has been used successfully since the 1970s to treat drug addiction such as smoking.
- Acupuncture seeks to reduce the effects of the so-called withdrawal syndrome in a maximum of three sessions. The expert figures the effectiveness between 80% and 90% of smokers treated.