Acupuncture is an important procedure in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat diseases by puncturing certain points in the body with very fine needles without injection of any drugs.

It is neither a panacea for all diseases nor is an alternative to modern medicine or other modes of therapy, but may form an integral part of treatment in acute and chronic ailments.

How does acupuncture act?
The action of acupuncture is explained by the theories of Yin -yang and the five elements, which were two kinds of outlook in ancient China.

The Yin -yang theory holds that every object or phenomenon in the universe consists of two opposite aspects, namely yin [cold] and yang [hot]. Both are in conflict as well as in interdependence, coexisting in a single entity. The tissues and organs in the body may pertain either to yin or yang according to relative locations and functions. Occurrence of disease is thought to be the outcome of imbalance between yin and yang.

The theory of five elements holds that wood; fire, earth, metal and water are basic materials constituting the material world. Its application to traditional Chinese medicine is in classifying into different categories these natural phenomena plus the tissue, organs of the body and the human emotions and interpreting the relationship between the physiology and pathology of human body and the natural environment.

Transcutaneous nerve stimulation [TENS]:
Patients who are afraid of needles are taught to use electro stimulation at the hospital and continue it at home for long term effect TENS is applied at acupuncture points at or near painful areas via surface electrodes made of rubber or thin metal lubricated with saline or jelly. Prejellied self-sticking ECG electrodes with buttons to attach electro stimulator wire clips can also be substituted for rubber electrodes. These may need a sticking plaster to keep them in place.

High resistance of skin causes interference in some patients making it difficult to achieve good results. In such cases needling needs to be done, inplace of TENS.

Acu-Laser and Son-Puncture:
Laser or ultrasound is also being used with blunt probe at the painful points. This has revolutionized and supplemented acupuncture therapy in children and sensitive adults.

Homo-Puncture:
Use of acupuncture needles dipped in specific homeopathic medicines has resulted in improved outcome of diseases.

Catgut Implantation:
To cause a prolonged stimulation of acupuncture points in certain diseases like asthma, a sterile catgut suture is implanted subcutaneously,at specific points.

Blood /Water Acupuncture:
0.5-1 ml of patient's own blood taken from a vein is injected at his/her acupuncture points to achieve better and prolonged results. Occasionally injectable distilled water or B-complex is instilled in acupuncture points to get a good cure.

Body massage:
Massaging the body and ear points has been used to supplement acupuncture therapy.This technique is taught to the patients and near relations to sustain the effect of accupunture at home during the interval between the two therapies.

Diseases Treated with Acupuncture & Treatment Schedule:
Acupuncture has been used with good results in controlling cough and bronchial asthma, nausea, vomiting, constipation, excessive sweating, painful joints, insomnia, hiccup, flatulence, control of diabetes and hypertension, migraine, headaches etc. Its efficacy varies in different patients. Usually the sense of well being starts appearing after 5-6 sittings of acupuncture taken everyday for 20-30 minutes each. The initial treatment needs to be continued for 10-15 sittings followed by a weekly or 15 day gap. The treatment may be resumed once or twice weekly/monthly thereafter for sustainance of therapy.