Looking for relief for the aches and pains you have been suffering from? Tired of using numerous prescriptions drugs? Why not try acupuncture therapy? The purpose of this old form of Chinese therapy is mainly to reduce pain and suffering of all kinds. This method has been used for thousands of years and is said to be very effective. This form of therapy sees to the flow of energy in the body through paths called meridians. Acupuncturists are able to identify specific areas along these meridians, commonly known as acupoints or acupuncture points, which are then stimulated by the insertion of thin needles. The reason for doing this is to ensure that the energy reaches important areas of the body, so that the body could then heal, thereby providing relief for all your aches and pains.
Many people who consider taking up acupuncture therapy are put off because they think it to be a very painful procedure. This is not the case however. Acupuncture is known to be virtually painless although you may feel something like electrical pulses through your body each time a needle is inserted into these acupuncture points. Bleeding may occur in very rare cases although this is very light. Patients may not feel any changes immediately. It may take up to 10 sessions to notice results, although this may vary from one person to another.
It is important for you to keep in mind that this cannot be carried out by anybody. If you are considering acupuncture therapy, you must find a qualified licensed acupuncturist! It could be very dangerous to visit just anybody who claims to be an acupuncturist as the needles used need to be disinfected and sterilized after each session of insertion into acupuncture points, in order to prevent any diseases from occurring.
It is said that the number of acupuncture points in ones body is equal to the number of days in a year, which is 365, along 14 meridians. However, this has increased over the year with acupuncturists identifying more acupuncture points along meridian lines. Most acupuncturists however stick to the traditional acupuncture points.
A list of such acupuncture points and the disorders and diseases that each point can treat have been formulated, which most acupuncturists use as a guideline.
A few examples of such acupuncture points include an acupuncture point on the side of wrist, along the heart meridian, which is said to treat heart diseases and mental disorders. Similarly the conception vessel meridian consists of an acupuncture point to treat menstrual and other abdominal disorders.