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Aging Process: As We Age, Is Acupuncture a Viable Alternative?

There’s a striking phenomenon in progress in the world today, that of the birth rate being lower than the death rate. For the first time in history, there is an increased and swelling aging population of adults (baby boomers) versus adolescents, young adults, and children. Thanks to modern medicine, people are living longer and are focusing on lives filled with good health, relatively free of pain.

However, the current methods of longevity often involve plenty of prescription medication and invasive surgeries, some of them overused. There is an alternative to taking pills to cure pains and aches, and it’s one that’s been in existence for quite a long time. Acupuncture is becoming more and more popular as a good method of treating many common health complaints people suffer.

Acupuncture is Not New

Acupuncture is by no means something new or a current trend that will fall from favor. In fact, the technique has been in use for over two thousand years, mostly in China. In the recent past, acupuncture’s positive results have gained notoriety in the Western world, and many people turn to the technique because of its non-invasiveness. Acupuncture can easily treat many illnesses and common complaints, such as back pain, depression, and even nausea from chemotherapy, with little side effects and a rapid recovery time.

The procedure begins with an initial consultation with the licensed acupuncturist, akin to a standard office visit. There are questions asked regarding past medical history, a standard physical, and then the areas which need to be addressed during the acupuncture session. It is comparative to a visit to the chiropractor where the issue is not solved with one visit, as acupuncture often takes many visits to find relief, though many patients report some immediate alleviation to the pain.

What About the Needles?

During acupuncture, a series of thin, solid needles are inserted at different points into the body. There are more than two thousand of these points that run along what are called meridians, or pathways. There are fourteen pathways within the body that keep the body’s energy, or Qi (pronounced chee), flowing. It is believed that when these meridians become blocked, then illness occurs. After insertion, the needles are then manipulated by various means, and the patient is left to relax for a period of time. Once that time has expired, the needles are removed. It most often takes several visits to work on a painful problem, so instantaneous relief should not be expected.

Acupuncture is more common than most individuals think, being used in small hospitals, halfway houses, drug treatment programs, and even jails, as a means to help people lead longer, healthier lives, ones that might normally be lived under the duress of chronic pain, addiction, or depression. Acupuncture will continue to be a solid alternative to standard medical treatments. Scientists will continue to monitor its results and perhaps every community in the world will take note of its curative properties. Maybe then individuals can start concentrating on other things in life, other than pain and misery.

Tags: acupuncture, age, aging population, Aging Process, Anti Aging, Baby Boomers, medical treatment