Acupuncture has been used for centuries to provide healing, pain relief, and relief from other symptoms and illnesses. Traditional Western medicine experts are beginning to realize that it has merit and produces results.

East Meets West

Two very different theories exist as to how acupuncture works. According to Chinese philosophy, the body contains two opposing forces: yin and yang. When these forces are in balance, the body is healthy. Energy, called "qi" (pronounced "chee"), flows like rivers along pathways, or meridians, throughout the body. This constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang balanced. However, the flow of energy can sometimes be blocked, like water getting stuck behind a dam. A disruption in the flow of energy can lead to illness.

The goal of acupuncture is to establish healthy body function by restoring the natural circulation of energy, or life force known in Chinese medicine as Qi. (This is pronounced as "chee" and is also commonly spelt as ch'i, chi or ki).

Qi is a fundamental concept of everyday Chinese culture, most often defined as "air" or "breath" and, by extension, "life force" or "spiritual energy" that is part of everything that exists.

The pathways through which this vital energy flows are known as meridians.

According to Chinese medical tradition, theres constant interchange between the Qi of the body and the Qi of the environment: external Qi, which can be good or harmful. Within the body, Qi is said to perform several functions, one of which is protection against harmful Qi. If this protective Qi is strong, it acts as a defence. If it is weak, resistance is lowered and you may become ill.

Along the bodys meridians, there are over 500 acupuncture points. Good Qi is thought to be restored to these areas by stimulation for example with needles, although occasionally massage, herbs, or suction cups may be used on these points.

CHINESE EXPLANATION

Traditional Chinese Medicines likens the human body to a highly complex electrical circuit. Like any electrical circuit it must be kept in good working order if it is to function effectively, and if the circuit breaks down the result is illness. Among the major assumptions in TCM are that health is achieved by maintaining the body in a “balanced state” and that disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang. This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”, meaning vital energy) along pathways known as meridians.

Traditional Chinese Medicines theorises that it is essential for qi, as well as blood to circulate in a continuous and unobstructed manner for good health of the mind and body. Acupuncture meridians or channels are the pathways through which the energy flows throughout the body. Acupuncture points lie along the meridians and are the holes that allow entry into the acupuncture meridians. The acupuncture points provide gateways to influence, redirect, increase, or decrease body’s vital substances, qi (energy) & blood, thus correcting many of the body’s imbalances.

Western Scientific Explanation

Medical Acupuncture

Acupuncture was introduced into western medicine in the 1950’s and 60’s and has gradually become more accepted, as research has shed light on the mechanisms underlying its effects on the human body.

Currently, there is not one western scientific theory that collaboratively explains all of the physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of Acupuncture. This is because Acupuncture has a variety of therapeutic effects on the body thus the action must vary depending on the type of pathology. However it is proposed that acupuncture primarily produces its effects through regulating the nervous system. Regulation of the nervous system aids the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones. These affect the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person’s blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

How to Quickly Boost Mental Alertness and Energy with Acupressure

In summary, scientists have deduced a number of theories from observing a number of individual clinical effects of acupuncture treatment. These theories and the observed clinical effects on which the theories are based can be summarised as the following:

Which Diseases Can be Helped by Acupuncture?

Augmentation of Immunity Theory - Increased Immune Function & Resistance to Disease

Endorphin Theory - Reduction of Pain

Neurotransmitter Theory - Inflammation Reduction & Promotion of Feelings of Well Being

Circulatory Theory - Improved Circulation & Smooth Muscle Relaxation

Gate Control Theory - Increased Pain Tolerance

Motor Gate Theory - Hasten Motor Recovery from Paralysis

Homeostatic or Regulatory Effect - Regulation of Body’s Homeostasis to Disease or Abnormal Conditions

Bioelectric Theory - Stimulation of cells of tissue growth & repair

Nervous System Theories - Central nervous system, spinal & peripheral nerve stimulation, resulting in some of the above-mentioned effects.

Relationship of Acupuncture Points and Meridians
to Connective Tissue Planes

If someone near you fainted, collapsed from exhaustion or had a stroke and lay unconscious–what would you do? What if you knocked someone out during martial arts practice? You can do more than call 911. Acupuncturists know points that can revive someone

One Acupuncture Point
Everyone Should Know

Click on picture

Acupuncture at GV 26 activates the sympathetic nervous system. This elevates
catecholamine levels, increases cardiac output and stroke volume. Furthermore,
stimulation of extracranial trigeminal nerve fibers can increase cortical cerebral
blood flow.Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS.

Kundalini yoga practitioners and Asian martial arts people learn about the Governor Vessel meridian, which runs up the spine and neck to the top of the head, and the Conception Vessel meridian, which runs down the front. Together they make an energy loop that passes from the pernium (at the genitals) to the brain and back. With simple Electronic acupuncture , vitality in that energy loop can be increased to enhance longevity, sexuality and beauty.

Renzhong, or Governing Vessel 26 (GV 26), is an acupuncture/acupressure point in traditional Chinese medical system (TCM). It is the most-used first-aid point for acute emergencies. Using a needle or nail to stimulate this point is a well known Chinese folk life-saving therapy. It can be used for shock, coma, asphyxia, cardiac arrest, heart attack, respiratory arrest, and loss of consciousness. It is said that stimulating this point helps the body (no matter in humans or animals) resume regular cardiac and respiratory rhythms and restore consciousness

GV 26 has been proven to restart breathing and heart function in many cases in animals in cardiac arrest who have been technically “dead” for several minutes. “GV 26 is a useful shock point, It works almost like mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration in drowning, heart attack and other emergencies. It stimulates heart and respiration (breathing) to begin.” says Dr. Kerry Ridgway, veterinary acupuncturist from Aiken, South Carolina .Source

GV-26 as a point that people can apply pressure to for about a minute at a time to increase mental alertness and physical energy

GV-26 is particularly useful for drowsy drivers, as it tends to pro...vide an almost immediate boost of alertness that can be life-saving. GV-26 can also promote mental clarity and focus, useful for when a project is at hand and the brain feels a bit sluggish

Emergency Acupoint Renzhong (Jenchung, GV26):
A Bibliography and Review from Textbook Sources

Beyond promoting mental alertness, Acupuncturists have consistently found that application of pressure or an electronic acupuncture system to GV-26 can accelerate healing and restoration of range of motion after a sprain/strain of the back.

According to Chinese medical theory, inserting a needle into GV26 helps re-establish Yin-Yang harmony. From a scientific perspective, needling GV26 has profound effects because there are numerous nerve fibers, both sympathetic and parasympathetic, at that location.

For those with knowledge of human anatomy:

GV-26 provides access to muscular branches of the right and left buccal branches of cranial nerve VII, and superior labial branches of the infraorbital nerve, which is a branch of the middle division of cranial nerve V. GV-26 also provides access to branches of superior labial arteries and tributaries of companion veins.Dr. Ben Kim

The Colorado State University Veterinary Medical Center's Critical Care Unit routinely uses acupuncture on animals in cardiac or respiratory arrest in combination with conventional procedures. Interestingly, just a single powerful point is employed .Jeff Grognet, D.V.M., B.Sc.(Agr.)

Through stimulation of GV26 is especially beneficial in the emergency room and in dogs under anesthesia, it can be used by dog owners at home. If your dog or cat is electrocuted, falls into water, or suddenly stops breathing for any reason, using your electronic acupuncture unit could help save his life.

Illustrated locations of 12 Acupuncture Points That Can Save Your Life

What Else Can Acupuncture Treat?

The answer is simple; Most everything.

The Evidence on Acupuncture
The research so far on acupuncture has been mixed, but several studies have indicated that it's effective for treating certain conditions. Here are a few highlights of the research so far:

A wide variety of acute and chronic conditions exist for which acupuncture can be effective. According to the World Health Organization following is the list of indications for which acupuncture can be used

Aging
For thousands of years, the Chinese have known that beauty comes from the inside. At least as early as the Sung Dynasty (960AD-1270AD) Acupuncture rejuvenation practices were employed for the Empress and the Emperor's concubines. The Chinese discovered and utilised ways to change the energy flow from within the body to initiate the healing process for rejuvenation. According to a famous Chinese axiom, "Where Qi goes, blood flows." Even for those unfamiliar with the principles of Chinese Medicine, it is known that increased circulation helps the body to look and feel better. Commonsense would tell us that treating the underlying cause of why someone is ageing is preferable to masking the outward symptoms and allowing further decline and dysfunction to continue within the body. ...

ACUPUNCTURE FOR
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Osteoarthritis. A 2004 study in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" found that acupuncture significantly reduced pain and improved function in people with osteoarthritis of the knee that couldn't be helped by medicine. The study included 294 patients with chronic osteoarthritis. After eight weeks, participants who received acupuncture reported far less pain in their affected knee than those who didn't receive the treatment.

Acupuncture Modulates the Limbic System and
Subcortical Gray Structures of the Human Brain:
Evidence From fMRI Studies in Normal Subjects

Fibromyalgia. A 2006 Mayo Clinic study of 50 patients found that acupuncture significantly improved the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition that causes muscle pain, fatigue, and joint stiffness.

Acupuncture has been reported to help women
with breast cancer going through chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea. A 2000 study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that electroacupuncture plus an anti-nausea medication relieved nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy better than medication alone. The study included 104 women with breast cancer who had been given high-dose chemotherapy. Women in the electroacupuncture group had a third of the vomiting episodes of those in the medication group. An earlier analysis of 11 studies also found acupuncture to be effective for nausea related to chemotherapy, as well as surgery and pregnancy.Home Hospice Care

In-vitro fertilization. A trio of 2006 studies in the "Fertility and Sterility Journal" suggested that acupuncture may help women who are undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. When women had acupuncture before and after embryo transfer, they were anywhere from eight percent to 18 percent more likely to get pregnant than women who had sham acupuncture (outlined below) or no treatment. The only caveat -- one of the studies found that women who had acupuncture were slightly more likely to miscarry.

Acupuncture Points for Heart Conditions Acupuncture Point HE5 • Tong Li • Heart 5 Connecting Li. Luo Connecting Point on the Heart Channel to SI4. Location: On the palmar surface of the forearm, 1 cun proximal to the transverse wrist crease, on the radial side of flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. Calms The Spirit Regulates Heart Rhythm Alleviates Pain   Acupuncture Point PC6 • Nei Guan • Pericardium 6 Inner Pass. Location: On the anterior forearm, 2 cun superior to the transverse wrist crease, between the tendons of palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles. Unbinds The Chest Regulates The Heart Harmonizes The Stomach Calms The Spirit Alleviates Nausea And Vomiting

Bladder control problems. A report in the July 2005 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology found that acupuncture may relieve overactive bladder. Out of a group of 74 women, those who were treated with acupuncture for bladder control had 30 percent fewer urgent trips to the bathroom, compared with only 3 percent fewer trips in the group that received sham acupuncture.

Korean (Koryo) Hand Acupuncture

How does acupuncture work from an Eastern Outlook?
When a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point you will usually feel a sensation of warmth, slight numbness, heaviness or mild achiness at the point of insertion. This is known as obtaining the Qi. According to Chinese medicine Qi is the vital energy which flows through a system of channels called meridians and regulates the bodily functions. All the vital activities of the human body are explained by changes and movement of Qi. The activities of the Zang Fu organs, maintaining the normal temperature and defensive systems of the body all depend on the promoting and stimulating effect of Qi.

The meridians are the transmission lines among the various parts of the body, making the organism a unified whole. The meridians and their tributaries provide Qi and Blood and thus warmth and nourishment for the whole body and also serve as lines of communication among the organs and the body. They adjust the ebb and flow of Qi in the body and help maintain a balance of yin and yang, blood and Qi and defense and construction.

Five Elements

What happens in disease? In disease, exogenous pathogens, such as wind, cold, dampness, heat, dryness or fire, invade the body through the exterior and penetrate into the interior via the meridians in turn, affecting the organs. Organ pathologies, such as Liver Wind, may spread to other parts of the body through the channels. Through channel transference, disease in the organs may also be reflected in areas of palpatory tenderness, swellings, indentations, nodules and red areas on the skin.

There can be many disharmonies involving Qi. We speak of deficient Qi, stagnant Qi, collapse of Qi and rebellious Qi. The following metaphor is very helpful in understanding how acupuncture can affect Qi flowing through the meridians. Imagine the flow of Qi to be like water flowing in a stream. Just as the flow of water can be affected by an obstruction in the stream so can the flow of Qi be obstructed in the meridians. Qi in meridians can be blocked by becoming stagnant, by being obstructed by dampness, phlegm, cold, etc. When a stream is blocked by debris it floods upstream from the debris and becomes dry downstream from it. If one clears the debris away the water in the stream can resume its normal and natural flow. In a like manner, if the Qi in a meridian is blocked the body suffers disharmony. And if the blockage from the flow of Qi within a meridian is removed, the natural flow is restored and the part of the body affected by the blockage regains its natural harmony and state of balance.

How can this flow be restored by acupuncture? Imagine making a small hole in the pile of debris which is blocking the stream. It will often clear the entire stream path, because the force of the water gushing through the hole will widen continuously until eventually all the debris is washed away and the normal course of the stream is restored. Similarly by inserting a needle into an acupoint of the blocked meridian it will have a similar effect. And just as a stream may have certain points more easily accessed or more easily blocked, the meridians have certain points which, when needled, will have a significant impact on the flow pattern. In this way by needling acupuncture points it is possible to exert a direct therapeutic effect on the channels and organs, and thus in turn on bodily functions. More

Electro Acupunture Therapy for Healing

For those who simply don't want needles poking into them, or for those who don't have the time or money to see an acupuncturist, there is another alternative for healing. Electro Acupunture therapy provides similar benefits to acupuncture but doesn't require needles. This type of therapy can also be done by you at home, with minimal training. This technique is beneficial for those who enjoy taking an active part in their own health and wellness.

Acupressure The Timeless Art of SelfHealing

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Electro Acupunture therapy uses magnetic and radio waves which are applied to certain areas on the body --- based on the acupoint charts. This pressure then stimulates the body in much the same way that acupuncture does. With a special acupoint tool, you use to guide the magnetic/electro waves to the part of the body that needs healing(treating). The charts allow you to target specific illnesses and problems and relieve symptoms. You can also use it as a diagnostic tool as well.

ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY DEVICE

Five thousand years of ancient Chinese medical practices are right here in one amazing product:

It can help aging cells to recover, normal metabolism and circulation, improve the ability of aging cell to repair , recover and regain youthfulness.
While it can diminish inflammation and help calm the skin, and improve blood circulation. (it gets twice the result with half the effort.)

Cosmetic treatments like removing spots, softening and whitening skin and wrinkle decreasing maybe noticed

Functions of Locating Acupoints , Organs, health Measurement of Acupoints

Take the guesswork out

These units will Find and Treat GV26

. One of the most appealing qualities of acupuncture is the low risk of adverse reaction or side effects.

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	Multi-function acu pen + Hand Held T.E.N.S. and AcuPoint Detector with Digital Display 1.Diagnosis Function (Finding the Acu-point) 2.Electronic Acupuncture 3.Rechargeable battery included 4.Battery Recharger and Cable 5.Instruction manual   Special offer

(1) Aldridge d & Pietroni P (1987) Clinical assessment of Acupuncture in Asthma Therapy: a discussion paper. Journal of the Royal Soc of Med, 80, 222-4.
Jobst KA et al, (1986) Controlled trial of acupuncture for disabling breathlessness. Lancet 2, 1416-9.Fung KP et al (1986) Attenuation of exercise induced asthma by acupuncture Lancet 2, 1419-22.

(2) reported by Dr S Fulder MD in The Handbook of Complementary Medicine (Coronet).

(3) Beneficial effect of acupuncture on adult patients with asthma bronchiale.
Zwolfer W; Keznickl-Hillebrand W; Spacek A; Cartellieri M; Grubhofer G
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Austria.
Am J Chin Med (UNITED STATES) 1993, 21 (2) p113-7