LEA SHEYNE C.

BANATAO
I-C

ACUPUNCTURE

O is a form of alternative medicine and a key component of traditional Chinese medicine (TMC) in
which involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your
body to create change within organs, glands and tissues with intent to return the body to normal
function.

MODERN MEDICINE VS. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

MODERN MEDICINE
O is based on human anatomy, biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. It mainly relies on the
analysis of lab results for diagnosis and treatment of the visible human body and the solid
evidence of an illness.
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
O any of the systems of medical diagnosis and treatment differing in technique from that of the
allopathic practitioner’s use of drugs and surgery to treat disease and injury.
TCM

O The diverse body of medical theory and practice

FOUR BRANCHES:
1.Acupuncture
2.Moxibustion
3.Herbal Medicine
4.Qi gong and Tui Na.

BRIEF HISTORY
O Originated in China 3000 years ago
O Spreaded to Korea, Japan, India
O Practiced in Europe, US

DEFINITION OF TERMS
O MERIDIANS- are invisible energy pathways or channels that run through the body.
O QI- vital life energy(energy fluid) that flows through our bodies
YIN organs
O Organs without an empty cavity
O heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys
YANG organs
O organs with an empty cavity
O gallbladder, stomach, bladder, and large and small intestines
O Meridians that are linked with yin organs are called yin meridians and those linked to yang
organs are called yang meridians.
O Yin meridians run along the inside of limbs and yang meridians run along the outside of limbs.
Mode of Action
LEA SHEYNE C. BANATAO
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O Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases
chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the
body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
O Acupuncture improves the body’s functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by
stimulating specific anatomic sites--commonly referred to as acupuncture points, or acupoints.
O The most common method used to stimulate acupoints is the insertion of fine, sterile needles
into the skin. Pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation may further enhance the effects. Other
acupoint stimulation techniques include: manual massage, and heat therapy, cupping, and the
application of topical herbal medicines and linaments.
O Acupuncture therapy can release blocked qi in the body and stimulate function, evoking the
body’s natural healing response through various physiological systems.

How is it done
O First, your acupuncturist will ask about your health history. Then, he or she will examine your
tongue’s shape, color, and coating, feel your pulse, and possibly perform some additional
physical examinations depending on your individual health needs.
O Using these unique assessment tools, the acupuncturist will be able to recommend a proper
treatment plan to address your particular condition.
O To begin the acupuncture treatment, you lay comfortably on a treatment table while precise
acupoints are stimulated on various areas of your body. Most people feel no or minimal
discomfort as the fine needles are gently placed. The needles are usually retained between five
and 30 minutes.
O The frequency and number of treatments differ from person to person.
O Some people experience dramatic relief in the first treatment. For complex or long-standing
chronic conditions, one to two treatments per week for several months may be recommended.
O For acute problems, usually fewer visits are required, usually eight to ten visits in total.
O
Benefits
O Performed correctly, it is safe.
O There are very few side effects.
O It can be effectively combined with other treatments.
O It can control some types of pain.
O It may help patients for whom pain medications are not suitable.

World Health Organization (WHO) approved the use of Acupuncture to the following conditions:
O High and low blood pressure
O chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
O some gastric conditions, including peptic ulcer
O painful periods
O Dysentery
O allergic rhinitis
O facial pain
O morning sickness
O rheumatoid arthritis
O Sprains
O Pain
O reducing the risk of stroke
LEA SHEYNE C. BANATAO
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O inducing labor
RISKS
O It is dangerous if a patient has a bleeding disorder or takes blood thinners.
O Bleeding, bruising, and soreness may occur at the insertion sites.
O Unsterilized needles may infect the patient.In rare cases, a needle may break and damage an
internal organ.
O When inserted deeply into the chest or upper back, there is a risk of collapsed lung, but this is
very rare.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
O Sepsis
O Unexplained/ unstable seizure
O Acute stroke
O Confused patients
O The very young
O Swelling
O Infection
O Tumour
O Unstable spine/ spinal metastasis

ADVERSE EVENTS
 Bleeding and bruising
O Mild aggravation of symptoms
O Mild pain at the needle site
O Drowsiness
O Dizziness
O Feeling faint/ fainting/ needle shock
O Headache
O Ethics of Acupuncture
Principle
O Autonomy
O Beneficence
O Non‐maleficence
O Justice
Ethical Issues:
 Some people practice acupuncture without the proper training and knowledge putting the
patients’ health at risk.
 Used as the sole treatment for the diseases and illnesses WITHOUT seeing a conventional health
care provider, whereas acupuncture should be in conjunction to conventional health
treatments.