Important Points About Acupuncture and How it is Performed!

Western doctors and scientists have specific theories regarding acupuncture and its effectiveness. They do believe that stimulating an acupuncture point causes the release of opiates called endorphins within the brain. These natural substances may reduce an individual’s perception of pain perhaps as effectively as any combination of narcotics and with the added plus of zero side effects commonly associated with the narcotics. This theory is supported by the fact that when experimental animals were given a chemical called naloxone which blocks endorphins, these animals do not respond to acupuncture. It is pretty much understand that acupuncture points reveal a greater concentration of nerve endings than do other skin locations. These specific points also generate more of what is referred to as electromagnetic energy.

The process when visiting an acupuncturist is somewhat different than the conventional doctor visit. Before anyone sticks you with a needle, the acupuncturist will first examine your pulse. This pulse examination is quite different from what most of us are used to. The acupuncturist will work on a reading which may be a process that may take anywhere from several minutes to possibly a couple hours. The reader places three fingers on one wrist then three fingers on the other wrist feeling for nine pulses on each side. This will total eighteen pulses resulting in a reading of different characteristics. These characteristics determine one’s results and then a diagnosis is determined. The pulse itself however, can be influenced by many different factors. Some of these factors may be the time of day, sex, temperature, humidity, or the particular season.