Acupuncture

History

Protohistoire

In Europe, one found in 1991 in a glacier located at horse on the Italy and the Suisse a frozen body, and preserved relatively well of a man called Ötzi by the scientists. This man, preserved in the ices during 5 300 years (and having thus lived towards -3 300 front J. - C. approximately), increases on its body a certain number of tattooings. An Austrian team noticed that, among the 15 groups of features whose Ötzi was tattooed, nine were close to points of Chinese acupuncture. However, like points out it L. Renaut, “the current practice counts 670 points distributed symmetrically on all the human body, along 12 meridian lines (or channels) bilateral and of two axial meridian lines. The surface of the human body being literally constellated with insertion points, one can estimate as deprived of any species of statistical significance the fact that tattooings of Ötzi, longilignes and extended enough, coincide of time to other with some of these points. ”.

Antiquity

In India, the use of acupuncture is mentioned there is approximately 5 000 years in the Ayurveda (treated ayurvedic medicine) and it remains used nowadays in Indian traditional Médecine.

The Papyrus Ebers (Eber 854a), which goes back to -1 500, into full Egypt ancient and visible with the British Museum, gives a representation of channels in which a fluid (blood or IQ) circulates and called Metu.

First traces of Chinese acupuncture

The first traces could go back to the Stone Age where sharpened instruments would have been used to look after the pains. Needles of bone or bamboo could have been used before the discovery of the technique of casting of bronze (Chang dynasty - of XVIe at the 11th front century J. - C.).

The Nei Jing Su Wen is a compilation of writings on acupuncture, the Moxibustion but also the use of therapeutic drugs, the massages and the gymnastics, the period of the Royaumes combatants (- 500 to -220) and the Dynastie Han (- 206). It constitutes the historical source oldest, although only posterior editions at its period of supposed drafting were found. Acupuncture and the theory of the meridian lines are described in certain works dating from the beginning of the Dynastie Han (-168, is approximately 50 years after the end of Zhanguo) found in a tomb of Han (Mawangdui, 1973-75).

Arrival in Europe

Acupuncture would have been introduced in Europe at the 17th century by Ten Rhyne, doctor of the Company of the Indies (1679) and Kæmpfer. One century later Dujardin and Vicq d' Azyr report the process in their respective works. It seems that it is Berlioz, father of the type-setter which, the first, of tried the practice in France (1810), imitated then by many doctors ().

Industrial time

Acupuncture prohibited in 1822 by the Chinese emperor and was removed program of the imperial Medical Board. But it survivra.
Mao Zedong will also try him to eliminate this practice - because of its bases taoists incompatible with the Marxist ideology - before réhabiliter.
Nowadays, acupuncture occupies in China a broad place in medicine for a vast range of pathologies, in particular in the hospitals of which some were seen transformed into high tourist places. Colossal experiments were undertaken, not always in agreement with the orthodoxe traditional principles, leading to the multiplication of the points located except meridian lines, and to the advent of novel methods such as the Analgésie by acupuncture.
Taiwan, where could find refuge those of the Masters acupunctors who have escaped with the purgings of Mao at the time of his come to power, remains one of the top-places of acupuncture traditionnelle.
A French consul in China, George Soulié de Morant (1878-1955), studied acupuncture during his long stay in the Empire of the Medium, and published at the time of his return in France imposing treated which always refers nowadays.

Traditional theory

According to the Chinese tradition, the living being, and here more particularly the man, is an organization resulting from the matter combination - the material or physical body - of nature Yin, and energy - which animates the matter - of nature yáng. Harmonious balance between these two components conditions the health condition. The disturbances of this balance are responsible for the disease. Any disturbance likely to break this balance affects energy initially preferentially.

Energy (IQ) is movement and its princeps disturbance will be the obstacle with the movement: blocking. The energy blocked in an area of the material body accumulates blocking upstream, whereas the areas downstream from blocking will be in energy deficit. In the presence of a state of pathology thus described, the acupunctor will establish his diagnosis by seeking the levels to which energy is blocked, and which is the reason of blocking. It then will apply its treatment while raising blocking and while correcting, if that may be, the reason of this blocking. The needle, inter alia means, will enable him to direct the course of energies.

Energy circulates in particular along conduits called meridian, and, starting from these meridian lines, is spread in all the body to insufflate its principle vitalizing (yáng) with the whole of the components of the organization. It has a certain correspondence with the blood, which, itself, circulates in conduits (vessels) and is spread in all the body to irrigate it of its principle Yin.

Moreover, there are several energies, each one having its speciality; in addition to the principal meridian lines, there is still a crowd of meridian lines to the various functions; the balance of the human organism must always be evaluated relative with that of its environment, and cycles which go in rythmer the evolution. Cycles with which it will have to remain in harmony and whose material correspondences (five elements) will be used as reference mark with the acupunctor to establish his diagnosis and its treatment, according to subtle rules which find their origin in the Taoïsme.

Points

The principal meridian lines are traversed points which are as many strategic zones. As opposed to what thinks usually the layman, these points do not have in them a specific therapeutic virtue. I.e. there is not a point of the sleep, a point of the angina, dental pain or abdominal colic. The points allow, like specified higher, to influence the course of energies.

The most important points for the treatment of energies of the meridian lines by the needle are those located close to the ends. It is easy to make sure of the localization of a point: the needle installation of in the skin is in theory painless: the simple contact of the point of the needle is not felt when one is precisely in the point, whereas it is to it one or two millimetres further.

There is more than 360 points distributed on the meridian lines which traverse all the surface of the body.

Meridian lines

The principal meridian lines are 12. They begin (or finish) at the end from a finger (or of a toe). In accordance with the course of a river, of which they are the correspondence on the body, they grow bigger since their source (end of a finger) towards the center of the body. They have many affluents, or meridian secondary, and nourish of their energy the flesh, the muscles, the bodies internal and the totality of the body.

The lines of centers of the body are traversed by two particular meridian lines, one former, the other posterior one. The meridian lines thus constitute the ways by which the organization receives this energy, which can be nutritive contribution, contribution of information (in particular of external origin) but also main doors for certain diseases.

Six energies

Taé Yang (Tai Yang); Chao Yang (Shao Yang); Yang Ming; Taé Yin (Tai Yin); Chao Yin (Shao Yin); Tsiué Yin (Jue Yin) .

Eight psycho-visceral Entities (BenShen)

The study of BenShen is very complex and requires a thorough comprehension of Chinese medical physiology and Chinese traditional psychology. To seize these concepts fully, it is recommended to read works like those of Jerry Alan Johnson, of which you will find a reference lower. Here all the same a very short outline.

One can classify them in the Five elements: Wood, Roun (Houn); Fire, Chen (Shen); Ground, I and If (Yi); Metal, the Pro (Po); Water, Tche (Zhi);

These five entities represent fundamental phases of Shen (the spirit).

Shen is the whole of the mental activities which reside in the middle. Shen indicates also the specific mental activities of the Heart. This concept refers inter alia to the conscience, the memory, the thought and the sleep.
Po is the Yin equivalent of Hun. In French, one refers to it under the name of body heart. Po mets places from there the material bases necessary for the life, particularly during the pregnancy, where part of the Po of the mother is " transférée" with his/her child. This concept refers inter alia things with the feelings, the feelings, the instinct, breathing.
Hun is the Yang equivalent of Po. In French, one refers to it under the name of éthérée heart. Hun survives the body dead and turns over then to the state of subtle and immaterial energy. One allots it inter alia to faculty giving a direction to his life, with the capacity to make decisions in agreement with his " moi" deep.
Yi could be translated by " the pensée". It is it which codes and decodes what we assimilate during our life. Yi is particularly requested at the time of studies, of efforts of concentration or memorizing.
Zhi could be translated by " the volonté". It allows perseverance, the motivation. Zhi allows an engagement, with an action of perdurer in time. It makes it possible moreover to use the language of Yi, and to apply it to the daily life.

Physiological effects

The concept of meridian line is an empirical concept, bench at one time when one did not know or little the operation of the organization. The body is traversed networks allowing the distribution of information (Nervous system) and of the products necessary to the operation of the cells (in particular Blood circulation); the concept of meridian line thus could be an intuitive comprehension of this distribution starting from vital bodies.

Certain pressures through the skin induce actions Réflexe S, and palpation through the skin belongs to the step diagnoses (for example taken Pouls, palpation of the ganglion S). It would be thus tempting to see acupuncture like an empirical discovery of some of these phenomena.

But because of the complexity of the operation of the organization, the effectiveness of a therapeutic method can be established only by clinical studies, in particular using statistical methods and the comparison with the Effet placebo. These studies must be realized in Double blind man. Until now no study recognized internationally by the scientific community could bring any element which would support the thesis of the existence of the meridian lines.

The authors of recent scientific studies, carried out in Germany and using dermic thermography, claim to show that the application of a source of heat on the points of acupuncture results in a specific diffusion privileged on ways corresponding to the ways traditionally described for the meridian lines. These studies must now be analyzed by the scientific community before being regarded as valid.

The studies directed by Dr. J.E.H. Niboyet highlighted a reduction in the electrical resistance of the skin at the level of the point of acupuncture.

In November 1985, one mystification was implemented in order to show an effect of acupuncture: Doctor Darras, Albarède and of Vernejoul claimed to have visualized a meridian line thanks to a radioactive Isotope. The publication of their discovery coincided with the exit of a book of popularization on acupuncture by the same authors. The magazine Science & life was one of the only newspapers general public of the time to criticize methodology. The conclusions were contradicted in 1988 by professor Lazorthes, who reproduced the same experiment while following a rigorous protocol and which showed that the migration of the marker followed a venous way: the conclusions of 1985 on the existence of meridian lines were thus erroneous.

The real clinical effectiveness of acupuncture is difficult to evaluate. Preferential methodology is to compare the action of traditional acupuncture (on the traditional meridian lines) with that of acupuncture “Placebo” where the needles are positioned elsewhere than on these same meridian lines. The studies show results shared with a sometimes comparable effectiveness of the two techniques, as well in the Migraine S as in the chronic pains of back.

The random establishment of needles, without taking account of the traditional meridian lines, would significantly improve the state of the patient compared to a treatment without establishment. According to this last study, the improvement would be higher of 75% than the conventional treatments of Western medicine. What allows professor Heins Endres, German deputy manager of this study, to say that “acupuncture for the low back painses is extremely promising” .

Doctors expressed themselves besides in favor of acupuncture at the conclusion of this experiment: it is the case of Briar Berman, director of the university of Maryland, and James Young, the medical center of the university of Chicago). “The superiority of the two forms of acupuncture suggests a common mode of action, explains Doctor Haake. These therapies probably act on the generation of the pain or its transmission by the central nervous system. In any case, this mode of action is more effective than the conventional treatments. ”

Risks

Acupuncture is a delicate technique and a bad practice, as for any medical or ancillary medical intervention, can have harmful effects. It is the case for example if the needles are not sterile, unsuited or applied in hot areas. Certain experts not resorting to sterilization (or using “alternative” sterilizations) can transmit infections between the patients, in the same way that with needles of syringes if they were used several times. In Occident, to prevent this risk one in general uses batches of needles of single use. To Quebec, all the acupunctors are subjected in a regulation obliging them to use only needles of single use, which reduces toa rate almost no one any risk of infection. The standards are not the same ones in all the places of the sphere.

Diplomas and formations

In France, there exist 2 DIU (diploma inter-academic) of acupuncture, intended for the Médecin S (DIU of general acupuncture) and for midwives (DIU of acupuncture obstétricale), both one three years duration.

The DIU of general acupuncture is taught within seven medical colleges: Aix-Marseilles 2, Montpellier 1, Nantes, Paris XIII, Bordeaux 2, Lyon 1, Strasbourg 1; that of acupuncture obstétricale is within three universities of medicine: Paris XIII, Strasbourg 1 and Montpellier 1.

In China, there exists one 5 years minimum duration a university education, opened with all (doctors or not).

Several schools in France (IMTC, CHUZHEN…) propose a teaching in co-operation with Chinese universities (Shanghai, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu…) opened with all, doctors or not.

In Quebec, the College of Rosemont which acts as reference, proposes a training program delivering the title of acupunctor.

Exercise of acupuncture

A report diffused on Arte in February 2007 shows a German doctor having based his treatment of the diabetes on acupuncture. Its establishment functions since several années.

In France, to practice acts including/understanding of acupuncture and refunded by the Social security, it is currently necessary to meet two conditions: to be Doctor and to have obtained the DIU (diploma inter-academic) of acupuncture or to be Midwife and to have obtained a DIU of acupuncture obstétricale (see above).

Acupunctors who are not doctors, resulting from schools related to the Chinese universities, exert in France without these acts not being currently recognized by the social security. They are it already in several other countries (in particular in attributions of the Heilpraktiker , in Germany). A harmonization European comparable with that the Ostéopathe S knew is considered.

In other country, this therapeutic approach profits from other methods of recognition (diploma of approved private schools, formation delivered by a professional Order,…).

In Quebec, there exists an order of the acupunctors which delivers the authorization to exert. It is necessary to have followed a training program identical to that of the College of Rosemont, financed by the Minister of education of Quebec, which is addressed to any public, doctor or not. The order of the acupunctors of Quebec takes care to make sure of the competence of all the acupunctors, his principal role being the protection of the public. Besides several modes of private and public insurances Québécois cover the expenses of acupuncture to amount of an maximum amount per year.

Indications according to the Western acupunctors

According to the American Academy off Medical Acupuncture (2004), acupuncture can be regarded as a complementary therapy for following pathologies. These indications are based on a clinical experiment and are not always controlled by clinical research. The asterisks * indicate that the World Health Organization validates these indications in its publication Acupuncture: Review and Analysis off Carryforwards one Controlled Clinical Trial .

abdominal distension/flatulences *
control of acute and chronic pains *
sinusitises allergic *
anesthesia for the high-risk or patient patients having a history of undesirable effects to anesthetic the
anorexia
anxiety, attacks of panic *
arthritis/osteoarthritis *
atypical thoracic pains
bursite, tendinitis, syndrome of the functional gastro-intestinal turbid carpel tunnel *
(nauseas and vomiting, spasms œsophagiens, hyperacidity, irritable colon) *
syndromes of the cervix and lumbar rachis *
constipation, diarrhea *
cough with medicamentous counter-indications *
detoxication (drugs) *
dysmenorrhoea, pains pelvic *
pains of shoulder *
cephalgias (migraines and tensions), giddinesses (disease of Menière), acouphenes *
palpitations idiopathic, sinusal tachycardia
control of the pain, of the edema, reinforcement of process of cure in the event of muscular fractures
spasms, tremors, the tics, diminish them *
neuralgias (trigeminal nerve, shingles, postzostérienne pain, others)
paraesthesia *
hoquet persistent *
pains of phantom limbs
fasciite plantar *
iléus post-traumatic and post operational *
premenstrual syndrome (Certain authors remain very skeptics as for the effectiveness of acupuncture in this case; acupressure experiments, form of traditional treatment near to acupuncture, would have validated on the contrary the effectiveness of these points of acupuncture for this indication
certain dermatoses (urticaria, prurit, eczema, psoriasis)
after-effects of Cerebral vascular accident (aphasia, hémiplégie) *
motor disabilities of the seventh severe nerve
hyperthermia
distorsions and contusions
bruxism *
incontinence urinary, retention (neurogene, spastic, undesirable effects of drugs) *

Other sources recommend the use of acupuncture for sterility, within the framework of In vitro fertilization. Indeed, in certain anglophone countries of which the United States, a growing number of specialists in the fertility (Anderson BJ, Haimovici F, Ginsburg ES, Schust DJ, Wayne PM. Pacific College off Eastern Medicine, New York, the USA) recognize the benefit of acupuncture and propose this technique within the framework of their protocol. A limited but significant number of evidence and clinical trials suggest that acupuncture could improve the success rate of FIV and quality of life. .

Quotations

In the ten last years, progress of the imagery of the brain in action showed that stimulation by the fine needles of acupuncture directly controls key areas of the emotional brain. A meeting of acupuncture would have a direct influence on balance between the two branches of the autonomous nervous system. It would increase the activity of the parasympathetic, the brake of physiology, at the expense of the activity of the system sympathetic nerve, the accelerator. It would support the coherence of the cardiac rhythm and in a more general way, would allow to bring back the system to balance. David Servan-schreiber " Guérir" (2004).

See too

Random links: