The Benefits of Acupuncture

One alternative healing technique is the ancient practice of acupuncture. This technique involves the shallow insertion of specialized needles into the skin along the meridian points of the body. The needles have a very small diameter which makes them more easily tolerated than regular injection needles. Acupuncturists manipulate the life force or Chi energy of the patient. Their goal is to bring the body back into harmony with itself to relieve pain.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

The patient must be assessed first, noting the physical characteristics (such as the tongue, face and eyes quality); and, overt presenting symptoms like aches and their locations, chills, fever, poor sleep patterns. Next, the needles are inserted into the skin; possibly the practitioner will apply heated herbal substances on the end of the needles. They use special herbs, mild pressure, micro-currents of electricity or may simply leave the needles inserted. The needles remain inserted typically until the practitioner reaches the goal of returning the patient's meridian balance or complete relaxation is achieved. The duration of the treatment is determined by the goals and condition of the patient.

A standard meridian system known as the Twelve Primary Pathways is what most practitioners of acupuncture follow. The pathways represent conduits to the major organs, the bladder, gallbladder, heart, kidney, large intestine, pericardium, lungs, small intestine, San jiao (or abdominal cavity), stomach, liver, and the spleen. Each point is further classified as a Yin (female) or Yang (male) meridian, and is manipulated with the needles in an effort to affect change of its respective organ.

How Can Acupuncture Help Me Detoxify Internally?

Acupuncture is gaining recognition in Western hospitals because of its results particularly with mitigating digestive discomforts like nausea, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, constipation and bloating. Correctly executed, acupuncture even helps to stimulate the intestinal tract to push out toxins.

• Acupuncture seems to facilitate opening elimination pathways. Applying mildly heated moxa (moxabustion) has shown benefit as it expands the pores on the skin to facilitate toxin release with natural perspiration.
• As a compliment, applying a mild electrical current through the meridians also helps to clear the neural messaging routes.

The goal of acupuncture is to restore the balance of the individual's Chi which promotes effective communication between the brain and the other organs. When communications are cleared, the body functions work more efficiently, at expelling waste and absorbing nutrients among other things. The results speak clearly to detoxification experts; they see effectiveness of acupuncture through its successful results. Acupuncture is older than modern science; since it has stood the test of time and is steadily proving itself, I think it's worth trying as a possible boost for your colon cleansing program.