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Women's Health
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Today, many women are turning to complementary healthcare therapies for a variety of gynecological issues, including infertility, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, fibroids and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Add to that list other women’s health concerns, including fibromyalgia, depression, migraines, urinary dysfunction and many more. Acupuncture has been utilized as a healthcare modality for thousands of years. Today, through the rigors of modern research, acupuncture and complementary therapies are widely accepted as a valid form of healthcare. The 1997 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus on Acupuncture reported: “There is sufficient evidence of acupuncture’s value to expand its use into conventional medicine. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can cause multiple biological responses, mediated mainly by sensory neurons, to many structures within the central nervous system.” In fact, the NIH and the World Health Organization (WHO) have officially recognized acupuncture to be effective in the treatment of more than 56 common health conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis, pain, sciatica, insomnia, and a variety of mental health issues. Acupuncture is one of the key components of traditional Chinese medicine, a medical system based on the concept of vital energy and how it flows in the body. When this energy becomes blocked, it impedes the body’s ability to heal and sustain itself. Acupuncture unblocks obstructions and re-establishes the circulation of energy throughout the body. Through the use of modern technology, we have been able to determine how this ancient medicine works in the body. The NIH Consensus suggests that acupuncture “may activate the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, resulting in a broad spectrum of systemic effects.” Essentially, what this means is that when an acupuncture needle is applied to specific points on the body, the nervous and circulatory systems are activated and a variety of healing responses take place. The advantage of acupuncture is that the incidence of adverse effects is substantially lower than that of many drugs or procedures utilized for the same conditions. It is virtually painless and typically a pleasant and relaxing experience. Acu-puncture works as an effective and safe alternative to conventional treatment and is a natural approach to help regain and maintain health and well-being. According to a study published in the “Archives of Internal Medicine,” 51% of medical doctors understand the efficacy and value of acupuncture, and medical doctors refer patients to acupuncturists more than any other alternative-care provider. Acupuncture practitioners receive more than 3,000 hours of training and are licensed by the California Board of Consumer Affairs. To find a practitioner in your area, consult your healthcare provider. To verify an acupuncture practitioner’s license, visit acupuncture.ca.gov. Dr. Karen Noblett is a urogynecologist at UCI Medical Center, Orange County’s only university hospital, which has been named one of the nation’s best hospitals for gynecology by U.S. News & World Report. Information: ucihealth.com or call 714.456.2911. |
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