Acupuncture is a treatment that has been practiced in China for centuries and is performed by inserting needles into defined points on the body and ear. The main aim of the treatment is to stimulate the body systems' own healing mechanisms to cure diseases. Acupuncture is practiced not only in China and Far East countries but also in many European countries such as Germany, Austria and France. As of today, there are nearly 16000 scientific publications on acupuncture in researches conducted on scientific platforms. Its effectiveness has been proven in many diseases and it has been included in the treatment guidelines as a recommended treatment in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.
Acupuncture has different forms of application outside Traditional Chinese Medicine. These are Master Tung Acupuncture, and Microsystem Acupuncture, which includes many methods called Ear Acupuncture, YNSA (Yamamato New head Acupuncture), Chinese Scalp acupuncture, Oral acupuncture.
Microsystems can be defined as small regions with areas representing organs, tissues, structures in the whole body.
Master Tung acupuncture is a form of acupuncture developed by Tung Ching-Chang, a Chinese acupuncturist. It is based on traditional Chinese acupuncture, but focused on the use of more distant points on the body.
Yamamoto New Scalp Acupuncture (YNSA) is a form of acupuncture developed by Dr. Toshikatsu Yamamoto, a Japanese acupuncturist. It is based on traditional Chinese acupuncture, but focused on the treatment of the scalp and head area.
Auriculotherapy, also known as ear acupuncture or Nogier ear acupuncture, is a form of acupuncture developed by French doctor Paul Nogier in the 1950s. This form involves the insertion of needles at specific points in the ear. It is based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem that reflects the whole body and that specific points in the ear are associated with different organs and systems in the body. In Nogier ear acupuncture, needles are inserted at specific points in the ear to stimulate the circulation of Qi (energy) and blood and balance the body's natural healing processes.
Acupuncture mechanism of action
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the effectiveness of acupuncture is based on ensuring that the life energy called Qi, which circulates in our body like blood, is smooth and balanced. Qi energy with a smooth and balanced flow creates a state of health and good functioning of all hormonal, nervous and functional systems as a whole. In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes a diagnostic method according to the characteristics of Qi flow. However, nowadays acupuncturists usually diagnose and plan treatment according to modern medical methods.
When the defined acupuncture points where needles are applied to the body are examined, it is found that these points are areas rich in vascular and nerve networks. Acupuncture points are cone-shaped, narrow on the skin, widening more towards the subcutaneous area and are slightly painful when pressed. Each acupuncture point has effects on its location, immediate area and distant regions. In acupuncture treatment, these points are used according to their properties and the meridian where they are located. Especially acupuncture points called systemically effective acupuncture points are selected according to the cause of the disease and increase the effectiveness of treatment. In many clinical studies examining the effects of acupuncture points on the body, it is possible to increase or decrease antirheumatic, painkiller, tranquilizer, anidepressant, especially chemical substances with the stimulation of the acupuncture point examined, and it is possible to create many effects such as dilation / contraction of vessels, regulation of bowel movements, regulation of heart rhythm, reduction of edema, regulation of immunity, muscle relaxation.
Diseases where acupuncture is effective
Acupuncture therapy reduces pain, regulates muscle tone and improves blood circulation. These features allow acupuncture to be widely used especially in musculoskeletal system diseases. In addition, the calming and antidepressant effect of acupuncture helps to improve the sleep and mood of patients. Thanks to these effects, acupuncture is used very successfully in cases of tension, anxiety and restlessness, for example during the exam period.
The immune system is supported by acupuncture. In this way, it is possible to protect against infectious diseases, and acupuncture finds a field of use in inflammatory rheumatic diseases with the regulation it makes in the immune system.
Acupuncture is also effective especially in hormonal diseases. These diseases can be listed as painful menstruation and menstrual irregularities, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome. Many infertility and IVF centers recommend and use acupuncture before IVF. In polycystic ovary syndrome, there are publications that not only regulate menstruation but also eliminate acne, reduce hair loss and regulate blood lipid ratios with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also be used effectively in dysfunctional diseases of the internal organs such as irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment can be achieved by determining intestinal food sensitivity, dietary adjustment and regular acupuncture sessions.
Another disease group in which acupuncture is successful is all types of migraine and headache. There are many studies in the literature on this subject and a good evaluation, elimination of additional factors and regular acupuncture sessions can provide serious benefits to patients.
All kinds of neuropathic conditions; nerve compression (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathies, restless leg syndrome are within the treatment area of acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also be used in patients with addiction. For this purpose, patients who lose weight and get rid of the smoking habit can benefit from acupuncture.
Diseases where acupuncture cannot be used
However, acupuncture is not an effective method in organ failures (such as liver, kidney, heart failure), severe psychotic diseases, congenital/genetic disorders, cancer treatment, diseases requiring surgical intervention (such as acute appendicitis). It is also not suitable for pregnancy and epilepsy.
How acupuncture is applied
The treatment, which starts 1 or 2 days a week, can usually be completed between 8 and 20 sessions. The application is done with sterile acupuncture needles of different lengths and diameters and a session lasts about 20 minutes. Treatments in a calm environment increase the effectiveness.
Ear acupuncture is performed by scanning the ear with scanning devices called detectors and inserting needles into the disease-related areas where there is a difference in skin resistance. In addition to the standard points described in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is possible to complete the treatment with Nogier acupuncture from Western medical schools. Although electroacupuncture is not performed in the ear, permanent needle application can be performed in patients who want to prolong the effect.
Acupuncture treatment can be applied alone or as a supportive treatment. In correct application, it has almost no side effects and is a safe treatment method with a low risk of complications.
In our country, acupuncture can only be practiced by physicians and dentists, provided that they have certificates obtained from courses organized and supervised by the Ministry of Health. Acupuncture practice certificates must be updated every 7 years with an evaluation by the Ministry of Health. The places where acupuncture is practiced are regularly inspected by the Health Directorates and care is taken to ensure that clinical practice is carried out in appropriate and healthy environments.
Acupuncture is a treatment that has been practiced in China for centuries and is performed by inserting needles into defined points on the body and ear. The main aim of the treatment is to stimulate the body systems' own healing mechanisms to cure diseases. Acupuncture is practiced not only in China and Far East countries but also in many European countries such as Germany, Austria and France. As of today, there are nearly 16000 scientific publications on acupuncture in researches conducted on scientific platforms. Its effectiveness has been proven in many diseases and it has been included in the treatment guidelines as a recommended treatment in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.
Acupuncture mechanism of action
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the effectiveness of acupuncture is based on ensuring that the life energy called Qi, which circulates in our body like blood, is smooth and balanced. Qi energy with a smooth and balanced flow creates a state of health and good functioning of all hormonal, nervous and functional systems as a whole. In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine also includes a diagnostic method according to the characteristics of Qi flow. However, nowadays acupuncturists usually diagnose and plan treatment according to modern medical methods.
When the defined acupuncture points where needles are applied to the body are examined, it is found that these points are areas rich in vascular and nerve networks. Acupuncture points are cone-shaped, narrow on the skin, widening more towards the subcutaneous area and are slightly painful when pressed. Each acupuncture point has effects on its location, immediate area and distant regions. In acupuncture treatment, these points are used according to their properties and the meridian where they are located. Especially acupuncture points called systemically effective acupuncture points are selected according to the cause of the disease and increase the effectiveness of treatment. In many clinical studies examining the effects of acupuncture points on the body, it is possible to increase or decrease antirheumatic, painkiller, tranquilizer, anidepressant, especially chemical substances with the stimulation of the acupuncture point examined, and it is possible to create many effects such as dilation / contraction of vessels, regulation of bowel movements, regulation of heart rhythm, reduction of edema, regulation of immunity, muscle relaxation.
Diseases where acupuncture is effective
Acupuncture therapy reduces pain, regulates muscle tone and improves blood circulation. These features allow acupuncture to be widely used especially in musculoskeletal system diseases. In addition, the calming and antidepressant effect of acupuncture helps to improve the sleep and mood of patients. Thanks to these effects, acupuncture is used very successfully in cases of tension, anxiety and restlessness, for example during the exam period.
The immune system is supported by acupuncture. In this way, it is possible to protect against infectious diseases, and acupuncture finds a field of use in inflammatory rheumatic diseases with the regulation it makes in the immune system.
Acupuncture is also effective especially in hormonal diseases. These diseases can be listed as painful menstruation and menstrual irregularities, infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome. Many infertility and IVF centers recommend and use acupuncture before IVF. In polycystic ovary syndrome, there are publications that not only regulate menstruation but also eliminate acne, reduce hair loss and regulate blood lipid ratios with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also be used effectively in dysfunctional diseases of the internal organs such as irritable bowel syndrome. Treatment can be achieved by determining intestinal food sensitivity and dietary adjustment and regular acupuncture sessions.
Another disease group in which acupuncture is successful is all types of migraine and headache. There are many studies in the literature on this subject and a good evaluation, elimination of additional factors and regular acupuncture sessions can provide serious benefits to patients.
All kinds of neuropathic conditions; nerve compression (such as carpal tunnel syndrome), trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathies, restless leg syndrome are within the treatment area of acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also be used in patients with addiction. For this purpose, patients who lose weight and get rid of the smoking habit can benefit from acupuncture.
Diseases where acupuncture cannot be used
However, acupuncture is not an effective method in organ failures (such as liver, kidney, heart failure), severe psychotic diseases, congenital/genetic disorders, cancer treatment, diseases requiring surgical intervention (such as acute appendicitis). It is also not suitable for pregnancy and epilepsy.
How acupuncture is applied
The treatment, which starts 1 or 2 days a week, can usually be completed between 8 and 20 sessions. The application is done with sterile acupuncture needles of different lengths and diameters and a session lasts about 20 minutes. Treatments in a calm environment increase the effectiveness. .
Acupuncture treatment can be applied alone or as a supportive treatment. In correct application, it has almost no side effects and is a safe treatment method with a low risk of complications.
In our country, acupuncture can only be practiced by physicians and dentists, provided that they have certificates obtained from courses given and supervised by the Ministry of Health. . The places where acupuncture is practiced are regularly inspected by the Health Directorates and care is taken to ensure that clinical practice is carried out in appropriate and healthy environments.
