Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Published : July 15, 2014 4:27 PM IST
For managing your menopausal symptoms, an ancient Chinese method could be an effective alternative as researchers have found that acupuncture can affect the severity and frequency of hot flashes for women in natural menopause. 'The review suggests that acupuncture may be an effective alternative for reducing hot flashes, especially for those women seeking non-pharmacologic therapies,' said Margery Gass, executive director, North American Menopause Society (NAMS). (Read: Acupressure what you need to know)
For the study, women experiencing natural menopause and aged between 40 and 60 years were included in the analysis, which evaluated the effects of various forms of acupuncture, including traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture (TCMA), acupressure, electro-acupuncture, laser-acupuncture and ear-acupuncture. Although the study stopped short of explaining the exact mechanism underlying the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes, a theory was proposed to suggest that acupuncture caused a reduction in the concentration of I-endorphin in the hypothalamus, resulting from low concentrations of estrogen. These lower levels could trigger the release of CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide), which affects thermoregulation. The study will appear in a forthcoming issue of the journal Menopause. (Read: Could acupuncture be the answer for sepsis?)
Here some facts about acupuncture
It all started with war
A lot of great technologies that are beneficial to mankind have come from trying to make more dangerous weapons and war and it seems acupuncture might've been the oldest of them. According to legend, the art was discovered when Chinese warriors found that arrows striking them at certain points in the body healed them of chronic conditions. We can still imagine the first guy hit by the arrow which hastened the era of acupuncture: 'Gosh, that arrow in the back really helps get rid of the headache. Now if only someone can take the arrow out.'
There are over a thousand acupoints on your body
Since the early days of arrows in random places, the art has acquired a level of finesse and experts claim to have identified over 1000-2000 acupoints throughout the body. Of these, acupuncture therapists therapists have identified 8-18 points for treatment.
A tale of two theories
Science has tried hard to explain exactly how acupuncture works and has zeroed in on two different theories. One believes that that the needle sends impulses that travel faster than the pain impulses, thereby blocking them. Another theory is that it releases endorphins into the bloodstream that alleviates pain.
Not everyone can practice it
Acupuncture requires a complete understanding of the human body and there's a school of thought that believe that only doctors should be allowed to practice it. This is because in modern society only they possess the in-depth knowledge about the human body which will then help them identify the various acupoints.
Sujok acupuncture the return of acupuncture
What really made acupuncture popular in our modern times is a practice called Sujok, a branch of acupuncture which believes that the hand and feet represent a mirror image of the body. The thumb and the big toe stand for the head, the two middle fingers for the legs and the two extreme fingers for the arms while the palms and feet stand for the body. Stimulating points in the hands and feet will heal the corresponding body parts. It uses fewer and smaller needles and has proven more popular than Chinese acupuncture. Read more about Acupuncture 10 facts you should know about this ancient Chinese healing technique
You may also like to read:
For more articles on alternative therapies, check out our alternative therapies section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
