The Evidence Proving Acupuncture Points
Acupuncture is a method of treating medical and psychological issues based on influencing the body by inserting needles in specific points of human body, called acupoints. It appears that science may finally be able to verify the existence of acupuncture points, meridians (vessels within the body that conduct Qi, or life force energy, much like the wires in an electrical circuit), and Qi cavities within the human body.
Now a study has shown how new in-line phase contrast synchrotron radiation CT (computerized tomography) scans reveal clear distinctions between non-acupuncture point and acupuncture point anatomical structures. Acupuncture points have microvascular densities with bifurcations that can be clearly seen around thick blood vessels, but non-acupuncture points show few thick blood vessels and none show fine, high-density structures found in true acupuncture points.
The research team concluded,
“Our results demonstrated again the existence of acupoints, and also show that the acupoints are special points in mammals.”
They noted that the high brightness, wide spectrum, polarization and pulsed structure of synchrotron radiation facilitated their discovery.
This is an important and exciting step forward in the integration of Oriental Medicine into the American culture and healthcare system. The availability of acupuncture to the individual widens the variety of effective treatment options available to a person and potentially may help improve overall cost-effectiveness of treatment for many ailments and disorders.
Previous evidence has been controversial but promising. For example, the only official WHO (World Health Organization) opinion about the effectiveness of acupuncture, published in 2003, included findings from Chinese trials not evaluated as highly reliable by some scientists and subsequently criticized by many scholars.
Today acupuncture is practiced all around the world and clinical trials are confirming acupuncture’s efficacy. More and more people will be able to benefit from this medicine as acupuncture becomes accepted in more states as a recognized option of treatment within standard healthcare. For more information, talk to a health care professional about the benefits of using acupuncture as a complementary treatment along with Western medicine.
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