Different Types of Acupuncture

Different Types of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is basically a traditional method of treatment developed as part of ancient medicine in Japan, China, and other eastern nations. Though its entry into the western world has been slow, it’s steady and gradual. The past decade has seen its popularity increase in western medical practice, especially for pain relief. The main idea behind the treatment is the stimulation of certain areas of the skin that affect the functioning of some body organs. Current practice has transformed into a type of medicine that helps to heal through the insertion of small needs into points known as ‘acupoints’ or acupuncture points.’ The positions are in specific areas and on select routes of energy known as meridians.

The points are stimulated in different ways including,

-Laser, typical for children

-Suction using plastic cups or glass that apply some form of vacuum to the skin. Some refer to it as cupping

-Moxibustion or warming with a herb

-Acupressure or manual pressure

-Insertion of needles

That said, the treatment comes in various ways the word acupuncture used to refer to different types of treatments. There are various types of acupuncture, with their features that help treat various conditions. Here are the most common types of the procedure, that fall under acupuncture:

Body acupuncture

This is what comes to most people’s minds when the word acupuncture is mentioned. Small needles inserted into particular points along the body to promote healing and manage energy flow.

Ear Acupuncture

According to ancient Chinese medicine, the ear has crucial acupuncture points and meridians that can promote healing in every part of the body. So, many acupuncture specialists will concentrate their treatment on the ear, using needles in the body either on their own or in combination with other body points.

Electroacupuncture –

Used explicitly to counter pain, electroacupuncture is where small clips plus regular acupuncture needles are used to send some electric current in between 2 acupuncture points. The additional stimulation created enhances energy flow between different points, helping counter pain.

Acupressure –

This form of treatment uses knowledge of meridians and acupuncture. It pinpoints acupressure points to promote healing and applies pressure and massage instead of needles. Acupuncturists usually teach their patients these areas to help them perform it by themselves, even at home.

Moxibustion

Here some herbs are placed on top of acupuncture needles and then lit. This gives the areas an additional boost of warmth.

Cupping

This one is done in combination with acupuncture. The specialist uses glass cups or rubber to suction onto certain areas of your body. It helps boost the traditional acupuncture when the energy in a particular area of the body is stagnant. The procedure can leave marks on the areas the suction was done. However, the marks usually temporary.

Japanese Acupuncture:

Japanese acupuncture uses the same points and meridians as the regular acupuncture but takes a more exact route, technically using thinner and fewer needles, providing less stimulation.

Korean hand acupuncture;

This treatment concentrates on specific areas on the hand that correspond to different parts of the body and disharmonies.

Auricular acupuncture:

This method is mainly used for nicotine, alcohol or drug addiction, and pain control. It concentrates on some points in the ears that affect specific body parts and disharmonies.

Medical Acupuncture

When a western medical practitioner performs an acupuncture process, it is generally referred to as medical acupuncture. The treatment’s requirements for medical doctors are typically more lenient than those of non-medical doctors. As such, if you want to go for medical acupuncture, choose a specialist who is a member of the AAMA (American Academy of Medical Acupuncture). For anyone to join the organization, they must have at least 200 hours of training. Similarly, medical doctors usually stainless and sterilized steel needles.

Veterinary Acupuncture:

This is a respected and acknowledged medicine field that requires formal certification and training. In most countries, it is considered a surgical process that can only be performed by a trained and certified doctor of veterinary medicine.