In reality Acupuncture (and its related modalities) are practiced medical treatments that are over 5,000 years old. Basically, Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles on the body’s surface, in order to influence physiological functioning of the body. As the basis of Acupuncture, the body has an energy force running throughout it. This energy force is known as Qi. The Qi consists of all essential life activities which include the spiritual, emotional, mental and the physical aspects of life. A person’s health is influenced by the flow of Qi in the body, in combination with the universal forces of Yin and Yang. If the flow of Qi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, Yin and Yang become unbalanced, and illness may occur. Qi travels throughout the body along “Meridians” or special pathways. The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin, and are easily accessible by “needling”. The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang. Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. When pathways become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of balance. This causes illness and Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.

Acupuncturists use needles. These needles vary in length. Today, most needles are disposable. In most cases, a sensation, felt by the patient, is desired. This sensation, which is not pain, is called deqi (pronounced dah-chee).

This is the using of very small electrical impulses through the Acupuncture needles. This method is generally used for analgesia (pain relief or prevention). The amount of power used is only a few micro amperes, but the frequency of the current can vary from 5 to 2,000 Hz. The higher frequencies are generally used for surgery (usually abdominal), and the lower frequencies for general pain relief. It is a common method of surgical analgesia used in China.

Ear has many Acupuncture points which correspond to many parts and organs of the body. Auricular (Ear) Acupuncture has been successful in treating many problems, either alone or in combination with body acupuncture. This is totally painless method.

This is the treatment of diseases by applying heat to Acupuncture points. Acupuncture and Moxibustion are considered complimentary forms of treatment, and are commonly used together. Moxibustion is used for ailments such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, certain types of paralysis, and arthritic disorders.

This is a method of stimulating Acupuncture points by applying suction through a glass jar, in which a partial vacuum has been created. This technique produces blood congestion at the site, and therefore stimulates it. Cupping is used for low backache, sprains, soft disuse injuries, and helping relieve fluid from the lungs in chronic bronchitis.

DESPITE Acupuncture being so popular and least harmful, there are certain facts about it. To summarize, these are

• Acupuncture has been recognised by W.H.O., Govt. of U.S.A., U.K., Australia, Germany, France and many more Countries in the World, including India.
  
• Acupressure and Acupuncture are based on the same principles with the difference that
  Acupressure is used for miner ailments and preventive purposes. Acupressure is a home
  remedy system that can be given by any non medico, while Acupuncture is given
  by only doctors.
• Acupuncture is not symptomatic relief. It is holistic in its diagnosis, treatment and effects. So
  whatever the effects are experienced, those all are never symptomatic.
• Acupuncture in not a primarily pain relieving modality. Since pain is the byproduct of disease,
  so relief in pain is due to curbing of disease process.
  
• Acupuncture does not show effects in one sitting. Initiation of its beneficial effects differ from
  person to person.
• There is no effect of food or drinks intake on Acupuncture needling.
• Depth of penetration of acupuncture needle varies with the Acupuncture point and the patients’
  musculature status.
• Though timing of Acupuncture needling does matter, yet it matters only slightly.
  For all practical purposes, Acupuncture can be given on any convenient time. Acupuncture point
  may not  be close to disease part. Instead, needling may be quite far from diseased part e.g.
  for headache needling can be done on foot.
• Opposite side may be needled. Acupuncture point selected for needling may be opposite to the
  involved site e.g. in right sided facial paralysis, needling can be done on left side.
  
• Metal of needle will not influence the effects.
• Size of needles will not influence the results. What matters is only penetration of needle to
  correct depth.
• Correct time of retaining needles is usually 20-40 minutes. About 70% of needling effect comes
  in first 20 minutes.
• Acupuncture effects are not temporary. Many diseases need booster courses. Usually this is
  needed in degenerative age related diseases like osteo arthrosis.
• Only one course may be enough in many diseases. Patient may not need any booster course
  e.g. facial paralysis, frozen shoulder etc.
  
• Acupuncture can not be used for all diseases. Like any other system, this also has its limitations.
• Usually Acupuncture can not avoid surgery if it is mandatory.
• Gap during treatment period does not cause any ill effect. It only decreases and delays the
  response but never causes any bad effects.
• Response may not be linear. Acupuncture usually responds in jig zag pattern but net response
  will certainly be positive.
• Increase in pain after acupuncture sitting never shows that acupuncture does not suit.
  Rather such patients respond to acupuncture better than others. In such cases only soft needling is needed with no stimulation.
• Acupuncture is not safe if given by non medicos. Since it is interventional medical treatment system, one should select only that practitioner who is primarily a medical doctor and is well versed with human anatomy. Also, such doctor should be trained from Internationally recognized learning centre for Acupuncture.
• Even after acupuncture treatment is stopped, good effects of acupuncture continue to come for few more weeks.
• If a patient gets good response for one disease it is nearly sure that he will get good response for his nearly most of the diseases.