Acupuncture needles are often long, thin, hollow steel tubes with a small hole in the center, which sewn at by hand. They can also be crafted from gold or silver, and some even have a plastic covering. This type of needle is called an "Ayu" needle, which is rare and considered very valuable.
There are many types of Acupuncture needles, depending on the treatment needed, the severity of the illness, and the part of the body being treated. If you are using Acupuncture to treat muscle pain or soreness, filiform needles used in Chinese medicine are used. In Chinese medicine, the filiform needles used are long, thin and rounded, much like the fan-like shape of a fan. In some cases, acupuncture needles with a "C" shaped hook or a hook with a sharp point are used instead of filiform needles.
In the US, Acupuncture needles used for pain relief range from the rather large and cumbersome to the extremely small and pointed, and sometimes not at all. There are so many different sizes and shapes of needles that it can be difficult to keep track of them all. The most commonly used needles in the US are the "Dau Dong" needle, which are roughly two inches in diameter; the "He Shou Wu" needle, which are about three inches in diameter; and the "Xiu Tan Zi" needle, which is roughly six inches in diameter.
Acupuncture needles are also commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of many illnesses, including chronic pain conditions and arthritis. One of the most common ailments associated with acupuncture needles is back pain. Chronic back pain has often been related to weak muscles in the back area. Many people also experience lower back discomfort associated with constipation. It is believed that the use of acupuncture needles may help to naturally strengthen back muscles, thus reducing the symptoms associated with both conditions. Acupuncture needle therapy has been found to be very effective in the treatment of both conditions.
Origin of Needle acupuncture
Needle acupuncture originates from the idea that energy flows along a 'meridian' in the body. Acupuncturists believe these energy flows, called meridians, run through a person's body, and that by inserting a needle into one of these energy channels, they may be able to stimulate the flow of energy along the meridian and allow it to increase. Meridians are thought to run along the central nervous system, the spinal cord, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, the lungs, the heart, the lungs, the spleen, the gallbladder and the lymphatic system. Of these, the 'spleen meridian' is the most commonly used and therefore is the channel most often manipulated by Acupuncturists. This method is called "Acupressure". Some other meridians that Acupuncturists commonly use include the Thymus Gland, the Adrenal Glands and the Urinary Tract.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the most commonly used acupuncture needles used are the Filiform needles. These are also called 'Coxswill needles' or 'Dagger Needles' because of their shape. They are long thin, slender and are almost hairless.
The Acupuncturist uses a pair of Acupoints on specific areas of the body. Using stimulation of different Acupoints at the same time promotes healing by allowing blood to flow in a natural manner. They are used to treat a variety of ailments such as headaches, toothaches, migraines, sinus infections, back pain, arthritis, asthma, PMS and many others. Research studies carried out on acupuncture needles show that chronic diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, coronary artery disease and Alzheimer's disease respond well to acupuncture needle therapy.
Acupuncture Needle Therapy is the safest form of treatment available today. No matter what type of ailments you are suffering from, you can safely and effectively recover from them using Acupuncture. Acupuncture helps to stimulate the meridian channels of the body to ease pain and inflammation, increase the blood flow throughout the body and stimulate the health of the immune system. Acupuncture needles inserted into the appropriate meridian channel automatically result in the stimulation of that particular area causing an improvement in the health and restoration of the body. Acupuncture is a simple and effective way to alleviate pain and is a safe and non-invasive alternative to medication and surgery.