Acupuncture Guidelines

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a medical practice that uses small needles ranging in size from 0.18-0.30 mm. The needles are inserted into various points on the body and then stimulated by manually rotating them or by using low-voltage electric stimulation devices for approximately 20-30 minutes before being removed. Acupuncture has three main therapeutic effects, which are:

1. Correcting the stagnation of blood circulation in the body's meridians
2. Balancing the various organs in the body
3. Stimulating the body's immune system to eliminate dangerous factors and inhibit pain, which results in relief of muscle tension.

Benefits of acupuncture include treatment and relief of various diseases. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture can treat various diseases and conditions in people of all genders and ages. Some of the most commonly treated diseases and conditions include:

• Paralysis of the limbs, arm and leg weakness
• Headache
• Insomnia, stress, and anxiety
• Constipation
• Facial diseases, such as facial palsy, twitching, and trismus
• Muscular, skeletal, and nerve-related pain such as joint pain, frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, knee pain, hip pain, and sciatica
• Cancer pain, tumors, and postoperative pain
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
• Diabetes and its complications, including darkening of the feet, peripheral neuropathy, and hand and foot numbness
• High blood pressure and high blood lipids
• Weight loss, such as after childbirth and reducing fat in specific areas of the body, such as the legs, arms, and abdomen
• Improving weight gain in thin people and chronically ill patients
• Maintaining good health in students, workers, and the elderly
• Age-related diseases such as tremors, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease
• Gynecological diseases, such as menstrual pain and irregular periods
• Menopause
• Allergic diseases
• Cosmetic acupuncture for skin problems, such as removing wrinkles, sagging under the chin, dark spots, acne, and hair loss
• Quitting addictive substances, such as alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs
• Gastrointestinal and bowel-related diseases, such as chronic abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome
• Other diseases that will be considered by the physician on a case-by-case basis.

Precautions for Acupuncture

Do not perform acupuncture on the following patients:

1. Pregnant women, especially those in the late stages of pregnancy who cannot lie down or sit for long periods of time.
2. Patients with abnormalities in blood clotting, such as hemophilia.
3. Patients with cancer (untreated).
4. Patients who require surgical treatment, such as appendicitis, etc.
5. Patients with heart disease who have pacemakers. Electric acupuncture is prohibited.
6. Patients who are too afraid of treatment and cannot control their emotions, even though they have tried their best.
7. Patients who are exhausted from strenuous exercise.
8. Infants, mental patients, and patients with dementia who cannot cooperate with treatment.

Other options for patients who cannot be treated with acupuncture:

Doctors may consider treating patients with cupping, which is used to treat patients with muscle pain or muscle inflammation. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that blood does not flow well in those areas.

Cupping involves placing a cupping glass over the area where the pain is located to draw blood to the affected area. This will help alleviate the pain and takes about 7-15 minutes, depending on the doctor's instructions. Alternatively, doctors may consider treating patients with moxibustion for chronic inflammation such as ankle or knee inflammation.

Moxibustion involves burning the tip of the moxa stick over the affected area until the skin turns red. This takes about 20-30 minutes.

Guidelines for patients receiving acupuncture treatment:

1. Prepare yourself for treatment. Acupuncture is a surgical procedure that requires cooperation from the patient. Patients who receive acupuncture treatment should come with confidence, not anxiety or fear.
2. Eat a moderate meal. It is recommended that patients eat 1-2 hours before treatment and not eat until they are full.
3. Wear appropriate clothing. Patients should wear separates. Patients with stroke should wear clothes that can be rolled up and shorts, making it easier for doctors to insert needles.
4. Clean your body. Clean your body to reduce the risk of infection, such as bathing and washing your hair before treatment.

Guidelines for patients during acupuncture treatment:

1. Stay calm and relaxed during treatment. While the needle is in the body, patients should sit or lie still and avoid moving the part of the body where the needle is inserted. Patients can move slightly, but other parts of the body can move as usual.
2. Stay in a peaceful state. Patients can close their eyes and breathe slowly and steadily to help calm the mind.