The Western model of acupuncture is very different than that of Asia. Doctors in the United States have discovered that natural pain-blocking chemicals, endorphins, are released during acupuncture. These not only relieve pain, but they also trigger anti-inflammatory agents into the bloodstream (Abrams 103).
Acupuncture is used for a variety of problems with pain relief as the most popular. Other uses include relieving the symptoms of asthma and additional respiratory problems. Heart attack patients' arteries can be reopened by triggering the release of certain hormones. Stroke patients can enjoy a speedy recovery with acupuncture by improving motor neuron pathways (Weiss 75). The newest use is for drug addiction. There are over 400 detoxification programs in Europe and the Untied States that specialize in acupuncture. A clinic in New York City treats over 250 addicts a day. In the past six years, 10,000 people have been put through the program either by will or court order (Consumer 57).
In China, acupuncture is used as an anesthetic. Surgeries such as lung removal, open heart, and brain can be performed while the patients are wide-awake. They feel no pain and experience no shock (Duke 224). The Chinese also use it for nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy and chemotherapy (Consumer 55).
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Much research has been done to prove the effectiveness of acupuncture. According to a study involving 575 patients, "91.5 percent reported disappearance or improvement in symptoms, 84 percent see their MDs less, 79 percent use fewer prescription drugs, and 70 percent avoided recommended surgery" (Weiss 74). Another study involving women with a long history of menstrual cramps was also done. Ten eleven women reported 50 percent less pain while three had no more pain at all. According to the study, they also had fewer headaches and backaches and less water retention (Abrams 110).
Sham acupuncture, a process in which needles are applied to points other than actual acupuncture points, was used to compare the results with real acupuncture.
