Lecture: Accupuncture ~ An Eastern approach to wellbeing (OPEN TO PUBLIC)
Location:
7907 UW Health Ct., Middleton
Acupuncture is a medical procedure of applying very thin needles to one or more anatomical points on the body known as acupuncture points. The application of acupuncture needles to the acupuncture points causes a change in the physiological function of the body. The use of acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used for thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Acupuncture has been used in the United States for many years to treat many illnesses and ailments.
Acupuncture is based on the belief that qi (vital energy) flows through the body along a network of paths, called meridians. Acupuncture is believed to work by causing physical responses in nerve cells, the pituitary gland, and parts of the brain. These responses can cause the body to synthesize proteins, release hormones and brain chemicals that control a number of body functions. It is proposed that, by these actions, acupuncture regulates blood pressure and body temperature, boosts immune system activity, and causes the body's natural painkillers, such as endorphins, to be released. Laboratory and animal studies of acupuncture for cancer treatment suggests acupuncture can reduce vomiting caused by chemotherapy and help a person's immune system be stronger during chemotherapy.
Most acupuncture research (from National Cancer Institute) with cancer patients studies the use of acupuncture to relieve symptoms caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, including weight loss, cough, chest pain, fever, anxiety, depression, night sweats, hot flashes, dry mouth, neuropathy, and fluid in the arms or legs. Treatment with acupuncture either relieves symptoms or keeps them from getting worse. The use of acupuncture in cancer patients has proven a beneficial addition to conventional therapy. Human studies on the effect of acupuncture on the immune system of cancer patients showed that it improved immune system response. In clinical studies, acupuncture reduced the amount of pain in some cancer patients. Most of the patients treated with acupuncture were able to stop taking drugs for pain relief or to take smaller doses.
