Myth – Acupuncture is Not Needed Today Anymore
Fact – The internet is one of the biggest reasons why acupuncture now enjoys an unprecedented worldwide popularity. When used, this treatment makes the use of painkillers cortisone, and surgery unnecessary. Studies reveal that around 61% of patients treated with acupuncture showed significant improvement after being paralyzed because of a stroke.
Myth – Acupuncture is not officially recognized in the United States nor is it widely used. Only in third world countries nations is it widely used.
Fact -More than 30 states in the US register or officially recognize the practice of acupuncturists thus giving lie to this myth.
Myth – Acupuncture is best performed by an MD (physician).
Fact -The truth is physicians need less training in acupuncture than traditional non-doctor practitioners. Doctors only require 200 training hours in order to be a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture. Clinical training for required physicians is just around 80 hours out of the 200 hours. Contrast this to several years of training licensed acupuncturists need to undergo.
Myth – For sedation, the four-needle technique is used on every patient in acupuncture
Fact – This technique is used only in extreme and very rare situations. It is usually used not more than twice in a year. The patient’s energy flow sometimes gets stuck; this is only the time when the four-needle technique is utilized as a last resort.
Myth – Acupuncture is not recommended by allopathic doctors (Western physicians whose treatment are counteractive methods for disease and injury) nor do they believe this treatment works.
Two and a half decades ago, this statement might have been true. Now, there are around 3,000 physicians who are practicing acupuncturists.
Myth: Only Asians or Chinese can practice acupuncture because it originated in China.
Not true. The ability to practice and learn anything is not dependent on your race or creed. You might be interested to know that in the US, most acupuncturists are not Asian.
Myth – Acupuncture is solely used for pain alleviation
Yes acupuncture is used to relieve pain and no, it is not used only for that. It was believed that acupuncture only served that purpose since several studies showed that it had the ability to relieve pain. This treatment has been utilized for various kinds of ailments.
Myth – Transmittable diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS can be transferred from person to person through acupuncture needles.
People are usually given their own set of needles. It is a standard practice in the US to use disposable single needles in order to prevent the spread of infection and transmission of diseases during an acupuncture procedure.
Myth: Acupuncture is painful and dangerous also
Acupuncture treatment does not cause pain. The insertion of the needle may generate a tiny prick on the patient. Occasionally, the person may not even feel the needle at all. There may be some bruising at the insertion site although this very rarely occurs. The insertion does not result in tissue damage as the acupuncture needles are extremely thin. The needles are also solid and have a rounded point. There is absolutely not danger at all in using acupuncture needles.
Tammi Jones is a board certified and licensed acupuncture physician in Palm Harbor, FL.