A few of the diseases the World Health Organization recognizes acupuncture treatments for:
The World Health Organization Inter-regional Seminar drew up the following provisional list of diseases that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment. The list is based on clinical experience, and not necessarily on controlled clinical research: furthermore, the inclusion of specific diseases are not meant to indicate the extent of acupuncture's efficacy in treating them.
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INFECTIONS:
colds and flues bronchitis hepatitis INTERNAL hypoglycemia asthma high blood pressure ulcers colitis indigestion hemorrhoids diarrhea constipation diabetes MUSCULO-SKELETAL and NEUROLOGICA arthritis neuralgia sciatica frozen shoulder tennis elbow back pain bursitis tendonitis stiff neck Bell's palsy trigeminal neuralgia headache stroke cerebral palsy polio meneir's disease sprains |
EYES-EARS-NOSE-THROAT:
deafness ringing in the ear (tinnitus) poor eyesight dizziness sinus infection sore throat hay fever DERMATOLOGICAL eczema acne herpes GENITO-URINARY and REPRODUCTIVE impotence infertility pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) vaginitis irregular period cramps morning sickness MENTAL-EMOTIONAL anxiety depression stress insomnia |
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have performed clinical studies on the effects of acupuncture and have developed the following five theories on how acupuncture works according to modern science. These five theories are based on studies performed before and after acupuncture treatments, using blood draws to measure biomedical changes in the body.
1. The Gate Control Theory – Acupuncture interrupts the transmission of pain by overloading certain “nerve gates” in the central nervous system with stimulation, thus preventing the transmission of the pain signal.
2. Augmentation of Immunity – Acupuncture has been shown to raise blood levels of white blood cells (WBCs), prostaglandins, gamma globulins, hormones, and overall antibody levels. Raising WBCs can help every patient; more and more diseases are being linked with a weak immune system. Whether or not you are immune compromised, you will want your immune system to be as strong as possible, this is a positive result of every acupuncture treatment.
3. Releases Endorphins – Endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers and acupuncture stimulates their release. Endorphins are around ten times stronger than morphine, the strongest pharmaceutical pain killer available. It is easy to see why acupuncture is so effective in pain management.
4. Increases Neurotransmitters – Acupuncture has been shown to affect certain neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin. Serotonin is a well-known contributor to the feeling of well-being. Low levels of serotonin are associated with insomnia, addictions, depression, sugar cravings, obesity, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Acupuncture raises serotonin levels and can be an effective treatment for these conditions. This helps to explain why people feel so amazing after an acupuncture treatment.
5. Increases Circulation – Acupuncture has been shown to increase circulation in the body, especially to areas adjacent to the points being needled. Histamine and other vasodilators are released by the body in response to acupuncture. This is useful in healing injuries and minimizing scar tissue.