From Neighbors, issue #67, November 2007,
p. 7:
Over two thousand years ago, the Chinese discovered that the
insertion of fine needles into certain points on the human body, combined
with the ingestion of specials herbs, assisted in the healing of suffering
due to illness. Archaeological excavations from 200 BCE contain evidence
of the early history of Chinese medicine. In those days, fine bones
were used as acupuncture needles. Over the past 2 millennia, Chinese
medicine has evolved to include not only a state-of the-art needle,
but also hundreds of acupuncture points and thousands of herbs.
Today, acupuncture is becoming more common in the United States as scientific
research shows its effectiveness and the media spreads success stories.
ÊResearch shows that acupuncture works in part by stimulating the nervous
system. Other research explores the role that the tiny blood vessels
near an acupuncture point play. Although it isn’t completely clear
how acupuncture works, there is no question that it can provide relief
for a variety of conditions.
Acupuncture needles are super-fine solid needles, as thin as a hair.
The location of the insertion depends upon a patient's symptoms, which
the acupuncturist relates to certain energetic pathways in the body.
These pathways flow throughout the body, moving energy around to all
its parts. At times, the points a practitioner uses can seem counterintuitive.
For example, when someone has a headache the most helpful points are
located on the hands and feet. Points around the knee and calf can relieve
menstrual pain. This is because these points relate to a particular
pathway, which ultimately allows healing energy to stream to the affected
part.
In the US, most people receive acupuncture in a private practice, where
they are seen in a private room. In China it is done quite differently.
Everyone is treated in one large room. The only barriers between treatment
beds are low dividers, and therefore there is little visual privacy.
In the US this lack of privacy might be disconcerting. During my first
few days in an infertility clinic on a recent trip to China, I was initially
dismayed by the lack of privacy. But I quickly realized that the openness
had positive aspects. Whereas here in the US we might attend support
groups for various health disorders, such as infertility, Parkinson's
or MS, in China the support group happens in the hall as people are
waiting for their appointments. Two patients might never see each other
again, but for a few minutes they can share their stories and compare
notes. Clearly, the community approach enables patients to gain support
for their conditions from fellow sufferers in a more informal way.
In China I learned that community acupuncture is a wonderful way to
create a healing environment. People receive acupuncture in a group
setting while relaxing in reclining chairs.
Soft music plays in the background, which allows a quiet, private conversation
to take place between the acupuncturist and the patient. People can
see others receiving acupuncture, but each chair is an island of relaxation,
where patients often are lulled into a restorative slumber. The resulting
sense of companionship often plays a deeper role on the road to wellbeing.
—Deborah Pacik
