The answer is: almost everything ….
In west, acupuncture has got the reputation of mostly treating painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, etc.) but this form of therapy is much more useful than that! Most conditions can be treated although some easier than others.
Among other things, the WHO has published a list of conditions that are suitable to treat with acupuncture. However, this list is far from complete.
The list could be much longer, especially if one takes the problems other animals such as dogs and horses may suffer. Please let me know if you are unsure of what is bothering the horse, you or the dog and what we can do to help.
Acupuncture
For several thousand years it has been a method to cure and alleviate diseases in the east. The method is based on a philosophy that is known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The two main parts of this is Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine.
In China it is the herbal medicine wich is much greater.
Any treatment with TCM aims to get all the functions of the body to function normally. When all these are in balance, the individual is healthy. Imbalance means illness (or injury). By inserting small fine needles (not needles!) In specially selected points on the body, or by providing (for example) herbs can restore the disturbed equilibrium.
The theory that is the basis for the Chinese medicine differs markedly against the theory that conventional medicine (doctors, veterinarians) applies. TCM divides the body into twelve parts which all body functions are placed. Based on these elements regard to the patient and try to get as much information as possible about him. These are more symptoms than the patient sought for, how it is changed by external factors such as weather, circadian rhythms, etc.
It also lays emphasis on how the patient looks and behaves as it often tells a lot about the health. Acupuncturepoints are checked and the pulse is also highly important part of the investigation.
FAQ
You often hear people talk about how painful it is with acupuncture. Our view is that acupuncture does not have to be painful. We are of the opinion that it does not reach so much better treatment effect of screwing or manipulate the needles in other ways to justify doing so. Most of the benefit with needlemanipulation is that the results comes a little faster. If you suffer from serious neckpain and if you give painful acupuncture it can go away in 15 minutes and after about ten hours if you give painless acupuncture. A choice to make compared to how much pai the person has.
5 Myths About Acupuncture
Acupuncture has become one of the most popular alternative or complementary treatment methods worldwide. Although many have begun to understand the incredible benefits of acupuncture, there are still a lot of myths about the method. Here we present a few of them:
The basic idea of acupuncture is that it should not hurt. A skilled acupuncturist can regulate the pain experience of their patients. In a normal operation, the stick feels much like a mosquito bite while the rest of the treatment is painless.
We at Alternative Health Works consider as painless treatment as possible crucial in the long term. Acupuncture is to heal, not pain.
The World Health Organization has put together a comprehensive list of symptoms and diseases to recommend acupuncture treatment at. These include allergies, blood pressure changes, nausea, after chemotherapy, toothache, pain in joints and muscles, kidney stones, ischisas, reduce swellings, painful menstruation, PMS, etc.
Acupuncture is so much more than just pain and many go to treatments to avoid getting symptoms.
So was the procedure in ancient China. The doctors got paid while the patients were healthy. They received no payment if the patient became ill.
Acupuncture is a safe treatment and is as good for the young and the old. One can treat the same things in all. In Sweden there is a lower agelimit to treat children. On the veterinary side, there is no such limit.
It is possible to treat growing pains and colic in young people.
In many parts of the world acupuncture is not seen as an alternative form of treatment, but as part of the standard system. The US Army, for example, acupuncture is an accepted treatment for several ailments including pure pain.
There have been numerous double-blind studies on acupuncture as clearly shows that the method is effective. The studies are made both on adults, children and veterinary side.
An important component for acupuncture to work good is to hire a well trained acupuncturist.
Acupuncture is part of a whole medical theory that originated in Asia. We usually count on China as the country of origin but the method has long existed in several countries in the region. Even in other parts of the world have been using acupuncture-like practices. Ismannen Ötzi found Tyrol Alps is an example.
The second, much larger part of Chinese medicine is herbal medicine.