Acupuncture

The practices of acupuncture were formally first documented in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, an ancient dissertation on health and diseases compiled by the Chinese emperor Huangdi around 100 BCE. Originating around 2500 BCE in China, acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Involving the insertion of hair-thin needles on specific acupuncture points or acupoints, acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi energy (vital energy) in our body. Acupuncture points fall along the meridian lines of our body, and the needles inserted on these points stimulate the release of biochemicals (like endorphins) in our muscles, spinal cord, and the brain promoting natural healing, and physical and emotional well-being. 

Today, there are different types of acupuncture being performed around the world. Although they might differ in style in terms of the number, types of needles used, or acupuncture points, the idea of treatments and wellness remains the same. 

1. Japanese style acupuncture

   Although acupuncture practices arrived in Japan from China, it has evolved into many unique transitions as per their culture, nature, and society. The process is preceded by palpation and places a lot of emphasis on the same before commencing the treatment in order to diagnose, select acupoints, and assess treatment. The acupuncture method introduced by Waichi Sugiyama places the needle inside a small tube encouraging the practitioners to use thinner needles and insert them to only a shallow depth without any pain. Also, the needles used are made of gold or silver instead of iron. This tube insertion method is still relevant today and is used by many Japanese acupuncture practitioners and education curriculums. Another popular technique is the use of intradermal needles or hinaishin, introduced by Kobei Akabene. The approach in Japanese style acupuncture is usually around ‘less is better.’

2. Korean acupuncture

   Drawn from the tenets of Chinese acupuncture, what differentiates Korean acupuncture (known as Saam acupuncture in Korea) from the Chinese is its four-needle technique. Korean acupuncture uses at most four needles on the five acupuncture points (five shu points) lying beneath the knees and elbows. These five points account for most of the qi energy and the technique of Korean acupuncture controls and stimulate the flow of qi among the most energetical points in the body. Saam acupuncture is also used to treat functional dyspepsia, which is a kind of chronic indigestion.

3. Auricular acupuncture

   Your ear is meant for much more than just hearing and listening. The role of ears in the balance of our system is hugely important. TCM places great emphasis on our ear’s healing capacity. A unique branch of TCM, auricular acupuncture focuses on stimulating specific points in the ears. It is used to treat allergies and infectious diseases, regulate endocrine system disorders like menstrual disorders, infertility, and diabetes, and reduce various pains like pain from trauma, infections, nerve disorders, pain from tumors, and pain after surgery. They are also used to treat chronic diseases like back pains and shoulder pains, and epidemic diseases like influenza and cough. 

4. Electro-acupuncture

   Electro-acupuncture (EA) is a modern take on traditional acupuncture practices. As the name suggests, two needles are inserted into the acupuncture points and connected to a small continuous electric current. This helps to stimulate the acupuncture points instead of the practitioner manually using their hands to stimulate the acupoints. EA is used to treat patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. It alleviates their chronic pain as well as helps to improve knee movements. Cancer patients also resort to EA which helps them with nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy treatments. Compared to the placebo, the efficacy of EA was found to be better in patients suffering from depression helping them with the symptoms of insomnia and improving their sleep duration and sleep quality significantly.

5. Laser acupuncture

   Similar in principle to traditional practices, laser acupuncture (LA) stimulates the flow of energy in the body through photonic stimulation of low intensity and non-thermal laser irradiation to stimulate the acupuncture points, in place of metallic needles. Studies show that the analgesic effect produced during low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) reduces chronic pain. It is also beneficial for anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Apart from physical well-being, laser acupuncture allows the treatment of older patients and comes in handy, especially for patients afraid of needles. They can now have the option to opt-out of needles while still reaping health benefits without experiencing any pain. Basically, LA allows accessibility to a wider range of demographics. Another benefit of this treatment includes faster treatment. LA stimulates acupoints within seconds as compared to needles that take much longer time to stimulate the acupuncture points. Apart from this, there is always the advantage of having greater comfort as it involves no pain, and even faster recovery because there is no breaking of the skin involved and zero infection risks.

6. Facial acupuncture

   In tandem with full-body acupuncture, facial acupuncture is an effective beauty treatment for the long-term health of the skin. The insertion of around 40 to 70 needles on the acupuncture points on the face creates small wounds or minor trauma sites which in turn signals the brain to produce collagen and elastin, which smoothens the skin and gives skin its supple, youthful appearance. Also referred to as cosmetic acupuncture, this practice is often considered an alternative to botox and fillers as it works internally and at a deeper level. The process has an array of benefits, including improved collagen stimulation, lesser jaw tension, reduced acne, fine lines, and wrinkles, minimized pores, brighter skin tone, softer appearance, relief from headache, and contributes to overall well-being in terms of better mental health. 

7. Korean hand therapy 
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   Korean Hand Therapy (KHT) also known as Soojichim or Seogeum therapy is another form of acupuncture based on the energetic system of the hands. Similar to auricular acupuncture, KHT is based on the principle that the hand is a representation of our whole body. KHT is also often integrated with traditional acupuncture treatment. 

Exhibiting significant efficacy against many chronic illnesses, today people around the world are resorting to acupuncture which is a more holistic approach to beauty, skincare, and physical and emotional well-being. As a result, considerable theoretical, as well as technical advancements, have been made in wellness treatments like acupuncture. AI-directed acupuncture is making advances in functions like the recommendations of acupuncture points, efficacy predictions, personalized acupuncture therapy, and more. 

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