Acupuncture, a procedure that invites healing through
stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin, evolved
out of Chinese medicine over 2500 years ago. There are a variety
of approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture
that incorporates medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea,
and other countries. The most studied mechanism of stimulation
of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin
needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical
stimulation.
It is believed that the earliest acupuncture needles were sharp
pieces of bone or flint called bian stones. Early acupuncture
needles were made from iron, copper, bronze, and even silver or
gold. During the Iron and Bronze Ages, metal acupuncture needles
began to surface. However, it is not unusual for contemporary
acupuncturists to employ gold acupuncture needles to treat
certain ailments.
The needles employed by acupuncturists today are stainless
steel, solid (unlike standard needles used for drawing blood
which are hollow) and vary in size or width gauge. Acupuncture
needles consist of a stainless steel shaft and a handle made out
of copper or steel. There are nine types of needles used in
acupuncture; however, only six are commonly used.
Needles are inserted at points from 15 to 90 degrees in relation
to the skin's surface. Once the needle has been inserted there
are a variety of techniques that aid in the stimulation and
sensation. The technique used by the acupuncturist will depend
on the ailment that is being treated. Acupuncture is essentially
pain-less, some people may experience a slight pinch as the
needle is inserted. Once inserted, the needles remain in place
for approximately 20-30 minutes.
On March 29, 1996, the Food and Drug Administration bestowed the
Class 2 status of "medical tools" to acupuncture needles.
Acupuncture needles were previously listed under Class 3, or
"experimental devices." The change of classification means that
needles used for acupuncture will be subject to FDA approval to
ensure quality control and "single use only" labeling. Most
significant, the ruling could make acupuncture treatments
eligible for coverage under insurance policies which exclude
alternative medicine.
The FDA ruling indicates that
acupuncture is a safe and effective medical treatment. Because modern
acupuncture needles are disposable and used only once, there is
no risk of transmitting infections from one person to another.
About the author:
Shelly Phegley is a staff writer at the National Acupuncture
Treatment Specialists Directory located at
http://www.acupuncture-treatment-specialists.com
