History of the Acupuncture Needle
Acupuncturists use the needle as their main and most important tool. These acupuncturist needles can be traced back more than 5,000 years. Archeologists have found human remains with traces of insertions that coincide with acupuncture points that would treat lower back and hip pain.
It is one of the oldest and first tools of medicine. Before needles became what they are today healers of the past would first use things as stones, bones, and even bamboo as needles. Compared to the materials used today like stainless steel, gold, or silver the needles of the past were much thicker leaving traces of the past behind for us to find. Although needles are used in both eastern and western medicine, they are not the same. Read on to learn more about acupuncture needles:
How Acupuncture Needles Work
The modern acupuncture needle is made of stainless steel with a handle made of copper or steel. This needle is used to penetrate the skin to activate points along the meridians that run throughout the body. Each needle has a single use and is not only sterile but disposable. Each point used sits on the organ lines and holds specific functions.
When the needle penetrates the skin and hits a point it sends out a signal putting the body in fight or flight. This will send blood rushing to the area clearing things such as blockages along the path to get there. Once a needle is in your practitioner can use manipulation techniques to cause the desired effects which can be to tonify or sedate in terms of Chinese medicine. The needle heals and repairs starting from the outside and going in. It is the most forgiving tool in medicine that started it all.
What To Expect
When it comes to acupuncture needles there is nothing to fear. They are so thin that in most cases a patient won’t even feel them go in. What they do feel are the effects that it brings. During an acupuncture treatment the patient will be asked to lie face up or down on an acupuncture table depending on the treatment protocol. Seven meridian pathways flow on the front of our body whereas seven different one’s flow through the back.
Once you are comfortable the area where the needles will be placed are cleaned with alcohol and dried. Your physician in some cases will ask you to take a deep breath as needles are inserted. In less than 5% of cases something called needle shock can occur. Needle shock is a vasovagal response and presents as feeling faint, clammy hands, chilliness, and slight nausea. As uncommon as this is when it does happen the needles are immediately removed and the patient is given goji berries (in the case of Eacuwell), and then monitored. In most cases the patient almost immediately feels better.
This is one of the reasons it is highly recommended a patient eats before treatment. Once the needles are in the treatment can last anywhere from 20-30 minutes. During the needle process one may experience emotional releases, extreme calm, pain relief, euphoria, etc.
Health Benefits of Using Acupuncture Needles
Not only does the power of the needle bring with it pain relief but promotes general and long-term health. Once the needles enter our body, they activate the process of bringing the body back into its preferred state, homeostasis. It’s not only the needle that does this but the intention and knowledge behind it.
The practitioner holds the power to penetrate beyond what they’re working with. The studies, concepts, philosophy, and experience have shaped our practitioners’ abilities to be able to bring health benefits to those suffering from stress, anxiety, PTSD, infertility, allergies, epilepsy, and addiction, and the list continues to be endless. In some cases, the long-lasting effects are felt after only one treatment. In MOST cases it takes up to three treatments to start realizing the power the needle actually holds.
Final Thoughts
Acupuncture and the use of needles are something that seems scary from the trauma of getting vaccinations as children. Knowledge is power and knowing the benefits the needle holds can be the key to making a difference and taking the leap into something that can change your life.
All-year-round Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness along with our non-profit organization Acumantras holds and hosts events where we aim to educate and bring awareness of the benefits of East Asian medicine. Our goal is to provide knowledge to those who may not have had the knowledge or financial resources. Join us on our journey as we aim to educate, help, and heal using acupuncture needles, Chinese medicine, and all that entails.
