- What are the effects of acupuncture?
- Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into the surface of the body. It is thought that this technique stimulates the sensory nerves in the skin and muscles, and affects the activity of the autonomic nervous system.
It has also been reported that acupuncture stimulates nerves that secrete morphine-like substances (opioids; intracerebral narcotics) in the brain, resulting in analgesic and other effects.
In addition, it has recently been found that acupuncture also stimulates the hypothalamus and releases the anti-stress hormone oxytocin.
Anma and massage are said to have similar effects.
Western medicine treats “chronic pain” such as stiff shoulders, frozen shoulder, low back pain, and knee joint pain with painkillers and poultices, but the effects are not remarkable and extremely limited. Side effects such as stomach pain from taking painkillers and dermatitis from poultices may sometimes occur. This is a weak area of Western medicine. Acupuncture is the treatment of choice for these diseases.
- What is the difference between chiropractic and anma/massage/shiatsu?
- Chiropractic is a method that “promotes health and improves constitution by correcting skeletal distortions and balancing the body using the force of the hands and other means.”
Anma, massage, and acupressure are used to improve blood circulation, promote metabolism, and relieve pain by kneading, rubbing, patting, shaking, and pulling with hands and fingers for therapeutic purposes. The result is relaxation and pain relief.
- About the situation of acupuncture in the world
- In the United States, the number of people using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing, and there seems to be a high level of interest in acupuncture. With the increasing interest in acupuncture among Americans, most university hospitals now have acupuncture clinics. It can be said that acupuncture has a much higher reputation in the United States than in Japan.
England is a country where natural remedies are very popular. As for acupuncture, it seems that there is actually a lot of interest and popularity.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is very popular in Germany, and many pain clinics offer acupuncture.
I think that acupuncture, which does not use drugs with side effects, has a good reputation in foreign countries.
- Why is there a large proportion of people whose cause of back pain is unknown?
- When they go to the hospital with back pain, they try to find out the cause by imaging the inside of the body, such as X-rays, CT, and MRI. However, if the cause is muscle, it is difficult to see it on the image, so it is important to interview and palpate at the same time as these examinations. However, since palpation requires a lot of experience, it is often neglected in modern medicine, and as a result, it is often judged that the cause is unknown.
- Is it safe to disinfect acupuncture needles?
- Disposable acupuncture needles are used for each person, so there is no risk of human-to-human transmission. The skin is also clean because it is thoroughly disinfected with alcohol cotton and acupuncture is performed.
- Can I use insurance?
- Our clinic does not accept medical insurance. Oriental medicine covers a wide range, but the diseases covered by insurance are extremely narrow.
Also, from my many years of experience working at a hospital, I feel that when treatment is covered by insurance, both the treatment side and the patient tend to compromise.
I believe that both the treatment side and the recipient side should face each other seriously.
By the way, among the 27 EU member states and 12 associate member states, the countries where acupuncture is covered by health insurance are Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Slovakia.
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