Acupuncture By Mayo Clinic Staff

Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat pain.

Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (CHEE) — believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

In contrast, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation appears to boost the activity of your body's natural painkillers and increase blood flow.

You may try acupuncture for symptomatic relief of a variety of diseases and conditions, including:

• Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Labor pain
• Low back pain
• Menstrual cramps
• Migraines
• Osteoarthritis
• Dental pain
• Tennis elbow
• Weight Loss
• Infertility

The risks of acupuncture are low if you have a competent, certified acupuncture practitioner. Possible side effects and complications include:

• Soreness. After acupuncture, you might have soreness, minor bleeding or bruising at the needle sites
• Organ injury. If the needles are pushed in too deeply, they could puncture an internal organ — particularly the lungs. This is an extremely rare complication in the hands of an experienced practitioner.
• Infections. Licensed acupuncturists are required to use sterile, disposable needles. A reused needle could expose you to diseases such as hepatitis.

Not everyone is a good candidate for acupuncture or for particular types of acupuncture. Conditions that may increase your risks of complications include:

• Bleeding disorders. Your chances of bleeding or bruising from the needles increase if you have a bleeding disorder or if you're taking blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin).
• Having a pacemaker. Some types of acupuncture involve applying mild electrical pulses to the needles, which can interfere with a pacemaker's operation.
• Being pregnant. Some types of acupuncture procedures are not safe during pregnancy. 

No special preparation is required before acupuncture treatment.

Choosing a practitioner

If you're considering acupuncture, do the same things you would do if you were choosing a doctor:

• Ask people you trust for recommendations.
• Check the practitioner's training and credentials. Most states require that non physician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
• Interview the practitioner. Ask what's involved in the treatment, how likely it is to help your condition and how much it will cost.
• Find out whether the expense is covered by your insurance.

Don't be afraid to tell your doctor you're considering acupuncture. He or she may be able to tell you about the success rate of using acupuncture for your condition or recommend an acupuncture practitioner for you to try.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/why-its-done/prc-20020778
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/risks/prc-20020778
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/how-you-prepare/prc-20020778

I'm planning to be treated for some health issues that I have been experiencing with acupuncture and some other alternative medical procedures. So, I did some research about it and wanted to share it with you. I hope that this was helpful.

Reflexology What Should You Know About It? By Cathy Wong, ND at altmedicine.about.com

Recently, someone was telling me about a reflexology session they had and how much better they felt afterward. I have been considering undergoing some alternative medicinal practices like acupuncture and practicing yoga to elevate some of my aches and ills with minimal prescription or over the counter drugs. So, I was open to reflexology also and decided to find out more about it.

Reflexology is a form of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet.

How does it work?

The underlying theory behind reflexology is that there are "reflex" areas on the feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body.

For example:

• the tips of the toes reflect the head
• the heart and chest are around the ball of the foot
• the liver, pancreas and kidney are in the arch of the foot
• low back and intestines are towards the heel

He believed that certain areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body. This concept was furthered by physiotherapist Eunice Ingham into the modern practice of reflexology.

Practitioners believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.

Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, introduced this concept of "zone therapy" in 1915. American physiotherapist Eunice Ingram further developed this zone theory in the 1930's into what is now knows as reflexology.

A scientific explanation is that the pressure may send signals that balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress.

What will I feel?

Most people find reflexology for the most part to be very relaxing.

Reflexology shouldn't be painful. If you feel discomfort, be sure to tell the reflexologist. He or she should work within your comfort zone.

Some areas may be tender or sore, and the reflexologist may spend extra time on these points. The soreness should decrease with pressure.

If you're ticklish, not to worry. The reflexologist applies firm pressure to the feet.

Why do people get reflexology?

• Stress and stress-related conditions
• Tension headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Hormonal imbalances
• Sports injuries
• Menstrual disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome(PMS)
• Digestive problems, such as constipation
• Back paince

Reflexology is a popular alternative therapy. It promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces pain, soothes tired feet, and encourages overall healing.

Reflexology is also used for post-operative or palliative care. A study in the American Cancer Society journal found that one-third of cancer patients used reflexology as a complementary therapy.

Reflexology is recommended as a complementary therapy and should not replace medical treatment.

What is a typical reflexology treatment like

A typical treatment is 45 minutes to 60 minutes long and begins with a consultation about your health and lifestyle.

You are then asked to remove your shoes and socks and sit comfortably in a reclining chair or on a massage table. Otherwise you remain fully clothed.

The reflexologist will assess the feet and then stimulates various points to identify areas of tenderness or tension.

The reflexologist then uses brisk movements to warm the feet up. Then pressure is applied from the toes to the heel according to your comfort.

Lotion or oil may be used.

How will I feel after?

Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. They may even feel sleepy.

Occasionally, people feel nauseous, anxious, or tearful, but this is only temporary and is considered to be part of the healing process.

Precautions

If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor first and let the reflexologist know.

Be sure to give the reflexologist a complete and accurate health history.

If you have foot ulcers, injury, or blood vessel disease such as blood clots, consult your doctor before having reflexology.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/therapiesfromrtoz/a/Reflexology.htm