Practiced in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years, Miami
Acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine. In TCM,
the body is seen as a delicate balance of two opposing and inseparable forces:
yin and yangThe concept of two opposing yet complementary forces described in
traditional Chinese medicine. Yin represents cold, slow, or passive aspects of
the person, while yang represents hot, excited, or active aspects. A major
theory is that health is achieved through balancing yin and yang and disease is
caused by an imbalance leading to a blockage in the flow of qi.. Yin represents
the cold, slow, or passive principle, while yang represents the hot, excited, or
active principle. According to TCM, health is achieved by maintaining the body
in a "balanced state"; disease is due to an internal imbalance of yin and yang.
This imbalance leads to blockage in the flow of qiIn traditional Chinese
medicine, the vital energy or life force proposed to regulate a person's
spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health and to be influenced by the
opposing forces of yin and yang. (vital energy) along pathways known as
meridians. Qi can be unblocked, according to TCM, by using Miami Acupuncture at
certain points on the body that connect with these meridians. Sources vary on
the number of meridians, with numbers ranging from 14 to 20. One commonly cited
source describes meridians as 14 main channels "connecting the body in a weblike
interconnecting matrix" of at least 2,000 Miami Acupuncture points.
Miami Acupuncture became better known in the United States in 1971, when New
York Times reporter James Reston wrote about how doctors in China used needles
to ease his pain after surgery. American practices of Miami Acupuncture
incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries.
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The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Miami Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that Miami Acupuncture is being "widely" practiced—by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners-for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey—the largest and most comprehensive survey of CAMA group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.
Complementary medicine is used together
with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of
conventional medicine. use by American adults to date—an estimated 8.2 million
U.S. adults had ever used Miami Acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S.
adults had used Miami Acupuncture in the previous year.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates Miami Acupuncture needles
for use by licensed practitioners, requiring that needles be manufactured and
labeled according to certain standards. For example, the FDA requires that
needles be sterile, nontoxic, and labeled for single use by qualified
practitioners only.
Relatively few complications from the use of Miami Acupuncture have been
reported to the FDA, in light of the millions of people treated each year and
the number of Miami Acupuncture needles used. Still, complications have resulted
from inadequate sterilization of needles and from improper delivery of
treatments. Practitioners should use a new set of disposable needles taken from
a sealed package for each patient and should swab treatment sites with alcohol
or another disinfectant before inserting needles. When not delivered properly,
Miami Acupuncture can cause serious adverse effects, including infections and
punctured organs.
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There have been many studies on Miami Acupuncture's potential health benefits
for a wide range of conditions. Summarizing earlier research, the 1997 NIH
Consensus Statement on Miami Acupuncture found that, overall, results were hard
to interpret because of problems with the size and design of the studies.
In the years since the Consensus Statement was issued, the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has funded extensive research to
advance scientific understanding of Miami Acupuncture. Some recent NCCAM-supported
studies have looked at:
Whether Miami Acupuncture works for specific health conditions such as chronic
low-back pain, headache, and osteoarthritis of the knee
How Miami Acupuncture might work, such as what happens in the brain during Miami
Acupuncture treatment
Ways to better identify and understand the potential neurological properties of
meridians and Miami Acupuncture points
Methods and instruments for improving the quality of Miami Acupuncture research
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Health care providers can be a resource for referral to acupuncturists, and some
conventional medical practitioners—including physicians and dentists—practice
Miami Acupuncture. In addition, national Miami Acupuncture organizations (which
can be found through libraries or Web search engines) may provide referrals to
acupuncturists.
Check a practitioner's credentials. Most states require a license to practice
Miami Acupuncture; however, education and training standards and requirements
for obtaining a license to practice vary from state to state. Although a license
does not ensure quality of care, it does indicate that the practitioner meets
certain standards regarding the knowledge and use of Miami Acupuncture.
Do not rely on a diagnosis of disease by an Miami Acupuncture practitioner who
does not have substantial conventional medical training. If you have received a
diagnosis from a doctor, you may wish to ask your doctor whether Miami
Acupuncture might help.
During your first office visit, the practitioner may ask you at length about
your health condition, lifestyle, and behavior. The practitioner will want to
obtain a complete picture of your treatment needs and behaviors that may
contribute to your condition. Inform the acupuncturist about all treatments or
medications you are taking and all medical conditions you have.
Miami Acupuncture needles are metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience
Miami Acupuncture differently, but most feel no or minimal pain as the needles
are inserted. Some people feel energized by treatment, while others feel
relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the
needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment. This is why it is important
to seek treatment from a qualified Miami Acupuncture practitioner.
Treatment may take place over a period of several weeks or more.