Acupuncture As a Popular Form of Alternative Medicine
There are many different ways to determine the period of Alternative Medicine. The generally accepted definition is that alternative medicine is the many natural treatments used to treat disease. Acupuncture is becoming popular in the United States but it has been around for hundreds of years in China and other Asian cultures.
Acupuncture originated in China over 2,500 years ago. It was not a form of Alternative Medicine in China but an accepted form of treatment for pain. Acupuncture involves sticking pins into the skin at certain points in the body. This will re-balance the energy in the body and will reduce pain. The Chinese believe in two types of energy called Yin and Yang. This energy will attract and produce an energy called Qi. The energy travels passes through the body in meridians. When the energy is not balanced, pain will occur in the body. The pins will direct this energy to the meridians so balance can be restored.
Sir William Osler first introduced Acupuncture to America. Acupuncture didn’t become popular until reporter James Reston was sent to China to do a news story on President Richard Nixon’s historic trip. He had reported pain in his stomach and had an appendectomy. The Chinese successfully reduced his pain using acupuncture. He reported this success with American doctors who became interested in using the technique to reduce pain after surgery. Today, many doctors travel to China to study acupuncture.
Acupuncture has been proven to help treat a variety of conditions. It can reduce pain, reduce the addiction to tobacco and alcohol, prevent nausea, treat lung problems and prevent stroke. It is also a popular form of stress relief. There is unlimited uses for Acupuncture which is why it is the most popular form of Alternative Medicine in the world.
Some doctors still don’t believe that Alternative Medicine, such as acupuncture, can work to treat diseases. Most doctors practice a combination of Alternative Medicine and Western Medicine. For example, some doctors will perform surgery using Western techniques and then use acupuncture to reduce pain after surgery. This has been proven as an effective way to treat diseases.