Acupuncture Treatment

When one enters the office of a licensed acupuncture therapist to receive acupuncture treatment for the first time, some history on the meaning of acupuncture may be helpful.

Zhen Jiu (针灸) the Chinese characters for Acupuncture.

The literal translation is Fire Needle.

Acupuncture (针刺) Zhēn cì, is globally the most common form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is widely accepted in the West as well as Europe. It involves the use of thin, solid, filiform needles inserted in the body at specific acupuncture points to facilitate recovery of health.

Zhēn Jiǔ (针灸) refers to the use of acupuncture with moxibustion (艾灸) or Ài Jiǔ, this method uses a herb called Artemesia Vulragis (“Mugwort”) on the acupuncture needle to warm and penetrate the acupuncture point or on the skin directly. This herb applied to warm the acupuncture needle allows a deeper effect to the tissue providing in sorts a infrared therapeutic type effect which can stimulate circulation, decrease pain and calm the nervous system. This procedure is good for pain and joint syndromes such as arthritis, auto-immune disorders and neurological issues.

Acupuncture needles are made of slender, medical grade, stainless steel and are flexible to avoid breakage. Needles vary in length between 13 to 130 millimetres (0.51 to 5.12 in), with shorter needles used near the face and eyes, and longer needles in areas with thicker tissues; needle diameters vary from 0.16 mm (0.006 in) to 0.46 mm (0.018 in.). Apart from the usual filiform needle, other needle types include three-edged needles and the Nine Ancient Needles (Aung & Chen, 2007).

Japanese acupuncturists use extremely thin needles that are used superficially, sometimes without penetrating the skin, and surrounded by a guide tube (a 17th-century invention adopted in China and the West). Korean acupuncture uses copper needles and has a greater focus on the hand (Young, J. 2007).

In the United States of America, every State has their governing laws as per the statutes. In the State of Florida all acupuncture needles, must be sterile, disposable and for single use only. Acupuncture needles come pre-packaged and pre-sterilized. This ensures public safety, patient satisfaction and confidence.

Visit www.NeedleYou.com for more information.