Back to Acupuncture Category at StartLocal

Have you watched ‘Kung Fu Panda’? Or Jet Lee’s ‘Kiss of the Dragon’? Both movies show the lead characters being treated through needle insertions. This process is called acupuncture. It is a method of treatment originating from Chinese medicine and their use of ‘energies of life’ in treating people. Today acupuncture is gaining great popularity and credibility along with traditional medicine and is believed to be an efficient way to treat several chronic conditions like migraines, back aches, pregnancy disorders, stress and arthritis.

Introduction to Acupuncture
Detailed information about the traditional and modern views on acupuncture. It also talks about the 10 most common acupuncture points in a human body

Acupuncture Frontline
Basics of acupuncture and what critics say about it

Layman’s Guide to Acupuncture
A detailed guide on the modalities, dictionary and usage of this Chinese method of treatment. It explains all related jargon like Sooji, Qi and Feng Shui

Basics of Acupuncture
A basic guide explaining the conditions acupuncture treats, the treatment preparation and the expectations after treatment

About Acupuncture
A dive into the benefits and techniques of acupuncture

What is Acupuncture
Information about the basics of acupuncture and the conditions it treats

Acupuncture Q&A’s
Is acupuncture safe? What does it feel like? What should one do after it? The Cleveland Clinical Foundation answers these general questions on acupuncture

Acupuncture Basics
An excellent resource to learn about traditional and modern acupuncture techniques, their side effects and modalities in an unbiased way. There are several links to more research-based articles

How Acupuncture Works
The Chinese believe that the well-being of a body depends on the proper circulation of nutrients and fluids and energy. This energy is called ‘Qi’ and flows through channels or ‘meridians’. This network connects every organ and part of the body with each other. It provides balance, coordination, regulation and ultimately complete health. Often, due to stress, overwork, diet, emotions, age or other circumstances, this Qi is imbalanced. Its flow gets interrupted. Through acupuncture treatments appropriate channel points called acu-points are triggered. Often these acu-points are not directly where pain is resulting from; for instance, in acupuncture treatments, your ear might be triggered through acupuncture needles when it is your knee that aches! These triggers normalize the flow of energy within the body and help restore health.

Conditions Treated by Acupuncture

Acupuncture Healing
Information about the conditions for which World Health Organization recommends acupuncture. There are also answers to frequently asked questions

Acupuncture and Asian Medicine
A consumers’ guide to explain the expectations from acupuncture treatment and patients for whom it is beneficial

Acupuncture during Pregnancy
A guide with free downloadable documents on how acupuncture treatment can be used during pregnancy for a healthy delivery and recovery

Acupuncture for Back Pain
A short analysis showing that acupuncture is effective in treating chronic lower back pain

The Healing Tree
News and views on women, fertility and acupuncture treatments. There are links on the home page to plenty of other articles on this Chinese way of treatment

Acupuncture Benefits Glaucoma
A research about benefits of acupuncture in cases of glaucoma which lead to blindness

Acupuncture benefits Osteoarthritis
A research on how acupuncture provides benefit to people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee
Effectiveness of Acupuncture
PDF documents on the effectiveness of acupuncture for various conditions like migraine, infertility, anxiety, arthritis

Acupuncture Benefits
Postings which help one discover acupuncture and its benefits like combating weight loss. There are articles of general interest on the site too like a guide to acupuncture needles

Acupuncture from a Western Medicine Perspective

From a western perspective, the stimulation of particular acupuncture points has been shown to induce physiological responses in the body. These include regulation of hormones and neurotransmitters, release of endorphins and changes in blood cell count. However, researchers, doctors and scientists still have trouble proving the effectiveness of acupuncture because of lack of ‘placebo’. That is, since a condition cannot be created where one group of patients is treated though acupuncture but the condition of other group remains constant, acupuncture’s way of work becomes difficult to prove.

It is nonetheless believed to be a very beneficial mode of treatment. It’s painless, holistic and strengthens the immune system. It harmonizes the body and its flow of energy and blood without any apparent secondary or side effects. Many studies show the benefits of acupuncture and how it can treat long-term illnesses especially if complemented with Western medicine.

Acupuncture Charts and Elements

The following resources give a complete guide to acupuncture: its introduction, way of working, benefits, treating conditions and updates.

Acupuncture Charts
Free downloadable charts explaining the cardinal rules of acupuncture and the Five Element chart

5 Elements of Acupuncture
Read about acupuncture and the 5 elements believed to be the fundamental movements of energy and life in the world around us

5 Element Acupuncture Clinic
Facts and basics on acupuncture and its 5 elements

Acupuncture in Spotlight
Several articles and downloadable files on acupuncture

Does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture and the Placebo Effect
Simon Singh, co-author of 'Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial', tells about his experiences with acupuncture

Acupuncture and Health Care
Read about the benefits of acupuncture and also discover a blog on acupuncture written by practitioners

How Acupuncture Works
Answers to how acupuncture works, what causes blockages, whether acupuncture is safe and links to several other related topics

How Acupuncture Works, Again!
Eastern and Western definitions and explanations of the ways in which acupuncture works

Does Acupuncture Hurt?
Articles by an oriental medicine professor on various acupuncture topics like whether acupuncture hurts

Acupuncture Institute
Information on how acupuncture works and the conditions it treats

The Flip Side of Acupuncture
An article on a thorough smack down of acupuncture

Alternative Medicine Emerging
Article on how traditional methods of medicine and treatment like acupuncture are booming

Beware Acupuncture
A study on dubious claims, risks and questionable standards of acupuncture

Acupuncture Practice
The Association of Registered acupuncturists of Prince Edward Island discuss the topic in detail from treatment to styles and whether it works

More Resources on Acupuncture

Insights for Acupuncturists
This website believes that the world needs more acupuncturists! It has history, marketing tips, business plans and more resources on the subject

Acupuncture Today
A library of articles and studies on acupuncture! Discover why acupuncture is superior to drug therapy for migraines and much more

Advanced Acupuncture Researches
A resource full of researches and findings on acupuncture like acupuncture’s role in headache and pulmonary disease treatment

Acupuncture Blog
The experience of an individual who used acupuncture treatment

Acupuncture Learning Centre
Information of various aspects of acupuncture

The Acupuncture Association
Updates from the Australian Acupuncture Association on the Chinese medicinal way of acupuncture

Acupuncture Popularity
Article on how everyone is using acupuncture as well as different studies on its use

Acupuncture for Animals
Information on alternative veterinary medicine

Acupuncture Medline
Latest news and videos on acupuncture and related issues

Superficial or Deep Needling
A study on the kind of needling position that works best for acupuncture