Thin Metal Needles Oh My!

Many people have a fear of needles. Needles have many uses from recreational use as in drugs to medical uses such as giving a simple flu vaccine. I find it hilarious when I meet people who claim to be terrified of needles but are covered head to toe in tattoos and piercings. Then I sit there and look at them like, “Are you serious?” I bring up the topic of needles because in the medical field they are no longer simply used to put in an IV or to give a shot but they are also used to relieve pain and stress in a patient.

Acupuncture is an alternative form of medicine. Alternative form of medicine means there are no uses of drugs or chemicals and no invasive surgeries. Strictly your own body, nerves, the doctors and their needles. The doctor uses hair thin metallic needles and places them in specific areas of the body. These are called trigger points or the knots in the nerves. How acupuncture works is unclear to scientist, it is believed that the body works with the metallic needles to enhance the body’s natural pain-fighting chemicals (“Acupuncture: An Introduction”). The needles are placed in either the back or front of the patient and the amount of time they are left in the body varies by the patient.  Acupuncture can also reduce nausea and vomiting after a surgery or chemotherapy. This is positive news because many people may not want to take addition medication after being put under for possibly hours and some may not want to take more medication after just having a chemotherapy session.

This practice was discovered in China over 2,000 years ago (“Acupuncture: An Introduction”). This is one of the many practices that Americans have come to use from many of the Asian countries. It was said that scientist really are not sure how acupuncture scientifically works in the body to eliminate pain. Research is continually done of course. It is a crazy thought that this hair-thin metal needle can relieve pain that has been affecting a person for a long time. Yes, the pain may return here and there but at the same time it is worth it because they are not consuming many different.

Treatment cost may vary from place to place you go because it is not readily practiced in a hospital (“Acupuncture: An Introduction”). Some insurance companies do cover the cost of acupuncture even though it can be used to relieve some health problems. I think it is a good thing. I personally have not tried acupuncture yet but I plan on trying it soon. I would like to try it mainly for the benefits of reducing stress. Work and school can be quite stressful sometimes and everyone deserves a break every once in a while to clear their minds.

 

 

"Acupuncture: An Introduction." NIH.gov. U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Aug. 2011. Web. 6 Feb. 2013.