Electroacupuncture reduces myocardial infarct size and improves post-ischemic recovery by invoking release of humoral, dialyzable, cardioprotective factors

J Physiol Sci. 2013 May;63(3):219-23. doi: 10.1007/s12576-013-0259-6. Epub 2013 Mar 26.

Redington KL, Disenhouse T, Li J, Wei C, Dai X, Gladstone R, Manlhiot C, Redington AN.

Source

Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5G1X8, Canada.

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) can induce cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, but its mechanisms are incompletely understood. We have previously shown that several other forms of remote preconditioning of the heart work, at least in part, via the release of circulating cardioprotective factors into the bloodstream, that can be dialyzed and subsequently shown to reduce IR injury in isolated hearts. 

We used the same methods to assess whether EA leads to similar humoral cardioprotection. EA rabbits were subjected to 60 min of bilateral stimulation at the Neiguan point, following which their blood was drawn, dialyzed, and used to perfuse hearts in Langendorff preparation and subsequently subjected to 60 min of global ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Compared to controls, dialysate from EA animals led to significant reduction in infarct size and improved functional recovery. The degree of cardioprotection was no different to that seen in animals randomized to receive remote preconditioning using transient limb ischemia (4 cycles of 5 min ischemia/5 min reperfusion). 

These results suggest that EA recapitulates the cardioprotection achieved by remote preconditioning, by similarly leading to release of circulating cardioprotective factors.

The effect of acupuncture on high blood pressure of patients using antihypertensive drugs

Acupunct Electrother Res. 2013;38(1-2):1-15.
Cevik C, Işeri SO.

Source

Dept. of Clinical Biochemistry, Director of The Acupuncture Clinic & The Coordinator of The Acupuncture Certificate Courses, Gazi University Medical Faculty, Ankara/Turkey.

Abstract

Blood pressure control is an important component of cardiovascular disease prevention. Despite the advances in the treatment of hypertension; effective management remains poor. The combined use of multiple drug strategies fail to regulate blood pressure and chronic use of those agents cause severe side-effects. New strategies are required to control high blood pressure. 

We aim in our study to research the effects of acupuncture treatment on blood pressure of hypertensive patients who have already been exposed to antihypertensive drug therapy for at least 24 months. Each patient was using 1-3 antihypertensive drug of a heterogeneous pharmacological group ranging from ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and beta blockers and the most common complaint of those patients were fatigue, dizziness, weakness, headache and joint pain, sleeping problems, cold hands and feet, edema, depression. We did not alter patients' diet (salt intake), physical activity or use of antihypertensive drugs. The study includes 24 male and 10 female patients. Ki 3 (Taixi), Liv 3 (Taichong), Sp 9 (Yinlingquan), L.I. 4 (Hegu), Ht 7 (Shenmen), St 36 (Zusanli), Sp 6 (Sanyinjiao), Ki 7 (Fulio), Lu 9 acupuncture points were needled. 

After being treated with acupuncture for one month in every two days for a total of 15 sessions, we found significant reductions (p ? 001) in both systolic (from 163.14 +/- 19.33 to 129.49 +/- 18.52) and diastolic (from 94.37 +/- 19.70 to 79.31 +/- 7.87) blood pressures of these patients. 

The aim here is not to compare the effectiveness of acupuncture and drug therapy on blood pressure, but to simply report that on patients currently using antihypertensive medication, acupuncture facilitated a significant reduction in blood pressure and reduced the patients complaints. 

We therefore conclude that our data strongly suggest that acupuncture should be in the hypertension treatment guidelines and widely used for blood pressure regulation.

Efficacy of Integrated Rehabilitation Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(5):971-981.

Zhang Y, Jin H, Ma D, Fu Y, Xie Y, Li Z, Zou Y.

Source

Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Chinese Ministry of Education, China.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Integrated Rehabilitation Techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IRT-TCM) on patients with ischemic stroke as an alternative therapy to conventional rehabilitation techniques. 

Sixty-nine patients with ischemic stroke were randomly assigned to receive either IRT-TCM (intervention group, n=46) or conventional rehabilitation techniques (control group, n=23). The IRT-TCM consisted of a sequential combination of acupuncture and massage techniques. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were measured on day 0 (baseline, before treatment), day 21, and day 90. 

We observed that the scores in FMA and BI were increased, and NIHSS were decreased in both groups on day 21 and 90, compared with the baseline (day 0). Furthermore, significantly better scores in FMA of lower limbs and NIHSS were found in patients treated with IRT-TCM on day 21 and 90. For mRS, the percentage of patients ranking 0 and 1 in the intervention group presented a striking contrast to the control group on day 90 but with no significant difference. 

The results indicated that, as a feasible alternative therapy, IRT-TCM is beneficial for patients with ischemic stroke. Further research with larger sample size, long-term observation, and strict blinding are still in need to confirm the efficacy of IRT-TCM.

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Smoking Cessation in a Chinese Population

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2013 Oct 4.
Ma E, Chan T, Zhang O, Yang JS, Wang YY, Li YC, Ho R, Lai C, Lam PY.

Source

Department of Health, Hong Kong.

Abstract

An observational study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture for smoking cessation, and determine predictors for successful quitters. Smokers received at least 6 sessions of body acupuncture provided by Chinese medicine practitioners and initiated self-administered auricular acupuncture. We determined self-report 26-week and 52-week quit rates by intention-to-treat analysis and examined predictors for successful quitting by univariate and multivariate analyses. A total of 1002 smokers were recruited; 26-week and 52-week quit rates were 16.8% and 15.8%, respectively. Male sex, older age, lower nicotine dependence level, and number of body acupuncture and counseling sessions received were associated with successful quitting. A multiple logistic regression model showed that sex, nicotine dependence level, and number of body acupuncture sessions received were predictors for successful quitting. Body and auricular acupuncture is effective in smoking cessation and should be considered as an alternative to help smokers in quitting, especially for those whose past attempts using conventional methods were in vain.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on personality traits in depression: A randomized controlled study

Chin J Integr Med. 2013 Oct;19(10):777-782. Epub 2013 Oct 4.

Wang WD, Lu XY, Ng SM, Hong L, Zhao Y, Lin YN, Wang F.

Source

Department of Psychology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100053, China

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the personality-adjusting effect of electro-acupuncture treatment for depression and compared this treatment with paroxetine treatment.

METHODS:

A non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was adopted. Sixty depressed patients, who met trial criteria, were randomly assigned to the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, electro-acupuncture treatment was used, and paroxetine treatment was used in the control group. During the 24-week study period, 12 patients dropped out and 48 patients completed the study. The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was adopted as the evaluation tool. At the same time, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were used to evaluate the psychological state. Evaluations were done before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

After treatment, patients' psychological state improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01). For the treatment group, within-group comparison between baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment showed that severity of depression had significantly decreased (P<0.01). MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05) and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, social introversion and fake decreased significantly (P<0.05). For the control group, severity of depression also decreased significantly. MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05); and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, paranoia, and psychasthenia decreased significantly (P<0.05). Between-group comparison demonstrated that for the MMPI subscales paranoia and social introversion, the decrease of score was greater in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no other significant differences between the control group and the treatment group.

CONCLUSION:

Electro-acupuncture is effective for treating depression and affects personality traits.

Moxibustion in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Oct 2;13(1):247.

Park JW, Lee BH, Lee H.

Abstract (Full-Text PDF)

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Many patients suffer from IBS that can be difficult to treat, thus complementary therapies which may be effective and have a lower likelihood of adverse effects are being sought.This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at critically evaluating the current evidence on moxibustion for improving global symptoms of IBS.

METHODS:

We searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, AMED, CINAHL, and CNKI databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of moxibustion comparing with sham moxibustion, pharmacological medications, and other active treatments in patients with IBS. Trials should report global symptom improvement as an outcome measure. Risk of bias for each RCT was assessed according to criteria by the Cochrane Collaboration, and the dichotomous data were pooled according to the control intervention to obtain a risk ratio (RR) of global symptom improvement after moxibustion, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS:

A total of 20 RCTs were eligible for inclusion (n = 1625). The risk of bias was generally high. Compared with pharmacological medications, moxibustion significantly alleviated overall IBS symptoms but there was a moderate inconsistency among studies (7 RCTs, RR 1.33, 95% CI [1.15, 1.55], I2 = 46%). Moxibustion combined with acupuncture was more effective than pharmacological therapy but a moderate inconsistency among studies was found (4 RCTs, RR 1.24, 95% CI [1.09, 1.41], I2 = 36%). When moxibustion was added to pharmacological medications or herbal medicine, no additive benefit of moxibustion was shown compared with pharmacological medications or herbal medicine alone. One small sham-controlled trial found no difference between moxibustion and sham control in symptom severity (mean difference 0.35, 95% CI [-0.77, 1.47]). Moxibustion appears to be associated with few adverse events but the evidence is limited due to poor reporting.

CONCLUSIONS:

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that moxibustion may provide benefit to IBS patients although the risk of bias in the included studies is relatively high. Future studies are necessary to confirm whether this finding is reproducible in carefully-designed and conducted trials and to firmly establish the place of moxibustion in current practice.

Acupuncture and Counselling for Depression in Primary Care: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract (Full-Text PDF)

Background

Depression is a significant cause of morbidity. Many patients have communicated an interest in non-pharmacological therapies to their general practitioners. Systematic reviews of acupuncture and counselling for depression in primary care have identified limited evidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate acupuncture versus usual care and counselling versus usual care for patients who continue to experience depression in primary care.

Methods and Findings

In a randomised controlled trial, 755 patients with depression (Beck Depression Inventory BDI-II score ≥20) were recruited from 27 primary care practices in the North of England. Patients were randomised to one of three arms using a ratio of 2:2:1 to acupuncture (302), counselling (302), and usual care alone (151). The primary outcome was the difference in mean Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores at 3 months with secondary analyses over 12 months follow-up. Analysis was by intention-to-treat.

PHQ-9 data were available for 614 patients at 3 months and 572 patients at 12 months. Patients attended a mean of ten sessions for acupuncture and nine sessions for counselling. Compared to usual care, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean PHQ-9 depression scores at 3 months for acupuncture (−2.46, 95% CI −3.72 to −1.21) and counselling (−1.73, 95% CI −3.00 to −0.45), and over 12 months for acupuncture (−1.55, 95% CI −2.41 to −0.70) and counselling (−1.50, 95% CI −2.43 to −0.58). Differences between acupuncture and counselling were not significant. In terms of limitations, the trial was not designed to separate out specific from non-specific effects. No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

In this randomised controlled trial of acupuncture and counselling for patients presenting with depression, after having consulted their general practitioner in primary care, both interventions were associated with significantly reduced depression at 3 months when compared to usual care alone.

The Effects of Acupuncture Treatment on Sleep Quality and on Emotional Measures among Individuals Living with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study

Abstract (Full-Text pdf)

Purpose. To examine the effects of acupuncture on sleep quality and on emotional measures among patients with schizophrenia. 

Methods. Twenty patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. The study comprised a seven-day running-in no-treatment period, followed by an eight-week experimental period. During the experimental period, participants were treated with acupuncture twice a week. During the first week (no-treatment period) and the last week of the experimental period, participants filled out a broad spectrum of questionnaires and their sleep was continuously monitored by wrist actigraph. 

Results. A paired-sample t-test was conducted comparing objective and subjective sleep parameters manifested by participants before and after sequential acupuncture treatment. A significant effect of acupuncture treatment was observed for seven objective sleep variables: sleep onset latency, sleep percentage, mean activity level, wake time after sleep onset, mean number of wake episodes, mean wake episode and longest wake episode. However, no significant effects of acupuncture treatment were found for subjective sleep measures. Likewise, the results indicate that acupuncture treatment improved psychopathology levels and emotional measures, that is, depression level and anxiety level. 

Conclusions. Overall, the findings of this pilot study suggest that acupuncture has beneficial effects as a treatment for insomnia and psychopathology symptoms among patients with schizophrenia.

Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Acupuncture

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Volume 88, Issue 10 , Pages 1141-1146, October 2013

Worldwide, acupuncture is integral to everyday medical practice. In recent decades its practice has gained popularity in the United States. With increasing evidence of its clinical efficacy, acupuncture is now a widely practiced treatment modality in complementary and integrative medicine. According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, an estimated 3.1 million US adults and 150,000 children had acupuncture in the previous year. The National Health Interview Survey also estimated that between 2002 and 2007, acupuncture use among adults increased by approximately 1 million people. Patients want more information from their clinicians about the use of acupuncture and its safety and efficacy. Although many clinicians may recommend acupuncture, they often believe they are not sufficiently informed to discuss acupuncture with their patients. This article provides answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding acupuncture.

Article Outline

• Abstract
• What is Acupuncture?
• How Might Acupuncture Work?
  • Gate Control Theory of Pain
  • Endorphin Model
  • Neurotransmitter Model
  • Other Theories
• Is Acupuncture Safe?
• What Can Patients Expect As Part of Their Treatment?
• Is Acupuncture Covered by Insurance?
• Who Provides Acupuncture Treatments?
• What Are The Common Indications For Acupuncture?
• What Does the Evidence Show?
• Conclusion
• Supplemental Online Material
• References
• Copyright

The Science of Acupuncture (BBC Documentary)

This is an amazing BBC documentary about acupuncture, the ancient Chinese therapy.

Acupuncture is a collection of procedures which involves the stimulation of points on the body using a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with needles that are then manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation. It is one of the key components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and is among the oldest healing practices in the world.

As part of the documentary, you will see an young women having an open heart surgery without any anesthetics, just acupuncture, a 2000 years old healing method. You will also see how it helps to treat migraines and many other conditions. Millions of people have started believing that acupuncture works better than conventional medicine. This documentary explains about astonishing healing power of acupuncture and its booming market in western world.

Albino alligator gets acupuncture in Brazil

VOTRE ACUPUNCTEUR, PARTENAIRE DU DÉVELOPPEMENT DURABLE DE VOTRE SANTÉ

L’Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec à reçu le mandat d’assurer la protection du public en matière de soins d’acupuncture. 

Au Québec seuls les membres  de l’Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec ont le privilège de dispenser des soins d’acupuncture et de porter le titre d’acupuncteur. Pour vérifier si un individu est bien inscrit au Tableau de l’Ordre vous pouvez consulter la liste en ligne, ou encore contactez la secrétariat.

Chaque acupuncteur reconnu doit afficher, dans sa clinique, un permis de pratique, reçu lors de son admission à l’Ordre, et un certificat d’inscription. Ce certificat d’inscription n’est valide que pour un an et il doit être renouvelé le 1er avril de chaque année. Seuls ces documents, émis par l’Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec, témoignent de la reconnaissance de l’acupuncteur par les autorités compétentes. Un diplôme, peu importe la maison d’enseignement qui l’a émis et le pays où elle œuvre, n’est pas suffisant.

Pour assurer l’excellence des soins dispensés par les membres, l’Ordre veille à ce que leur pratique demeure à la fine pointe des connaissances. À ce titre, le comité d’inspection professionnelle veille au respect des diverses règles et lois qui encadrent la pratique et le Bureau du Syndic met à la disposition des personnes qui auraient des doutes sur la pratique d’un membre, ou qui aurait été lésées, les moyens de se faire entendre. Les comités de formation initiale et de formation continue travaillent constamment pour maintenir et développer les connaissances des acupuncteurs.

Tout a donc été mis en place pour que les citoyens du Québec puissent consulter un acupuncteur en toute sécurité et en toute confiance. Depuis les débuts de l’encadrement légal de l’acupuncture au Québec, les acupuncteurs ont mis en pratique des règles strictes de stérilisation et depuis le 1er avril 2003, seules les aiguilles à usage unique sont autorisées. Les traitements d’acupuncture sont très sécuritaires et peuvent contribuer à la guérison de nombreux problèmes de santé.

l’Ordre est impliqué activement dans la formation des acupuncteurs au Québec, dans l’évaluation des candidats ayant été formés à l’extérieur du Québec, dans la mise à jour des connaissances des membres en exercice de même que dans l’accompagnement des nouveaux acupuncteurs qui débutent dans la profession. L'Ordre est à l’écoute de la population en matière de qualité de soins et de respect des lois et règlements.

Ref: http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/acces-public/l-ordre/bienvenue.aspx

Les preuves scientifiques

Un consensus du National Institutes of Health (NIH) en 1997 confirme que des endorphines et autres peptides relâchés dans les systèmes nerveux central et périphérique ainsi que l’induction de changements dans les fonctions neuroendocriniennes sont reliés à l’efficacité de l’acupuncture.

L’OMS (2002), en se basant sur la littérature récente, a produit une liste de maladies et de dysfonctions pour lesquelles l’acupuncture avait été évaluée grâce à des recherches cliniques contrôlées. Cette évaluation correspond aux données du NIH (1997) et confirme les données de la British Medical Association (2000) 

Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials (fichier pdf)

Voici la liste des maladies, symptômes et conditions pour lesquels l’acupuncture s’est révélée un traitement efficace lors de recherches cliniques contrôlées :

• Arthrite rhumatoïde
• Céphalées et migraines
• Cervicalgies
• Colique biliaire
• Colite néphrétique
• Déclanchement du travail
• Dépression
• Diarrhée
• Douleurs faciales, incluant les problèmes cranio mandibulaires
• Douleurs post chirurgicales
• Dysménorrhée primaire
• Effets secondaires de radio et chimiothérapie
• Entorses
• Gastralgie (ulcère peptique, gastrite aigue et chronique, crampes gastriques)
• Hypertension primaire
• Hypotension primaire
• Leucopénie
• Lombalgies
• Nausées matinales
• Ostéo arthrite de l’épaule
• Ostéo arthrite du genou et douleurs rhumatismales
• Rhinite allergique
• Sciatalgies
• Tendinites
• Version fœtale 

Ref: http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/acces-public/l-acupuncture/les-preuves-scientifiques.aspx

Travail et obligations de l’acupuncteur

L’acupuncteur est un professionnel qui s’occupe de l'identification, du traitement et de la prévention des problèmes de santé rencontrés par des individus. Son action se fonde à la fois sur une tradition millénaire et sur les sciences physiques, humaines et biologiques.

L’acupuncteur est un intervenant de première ligne. Les personnes désirant bénéficier de ses services peuvent le consulter directement sans requérir, au préalable, une prescription médicale. Cependant, l’acupuncteur pourra bénéficier grandement des informations relatives aux diagnostics émis par d’autres professionnels de la santé pour préciser son opinion quant à l’état de santé de la personne qui consulte et dans l’élaboration du plan de traitement qui s’en suivra.

La profession d’acupuncteur est une profession à exercice exclusif. Seuls les membres l’Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec ont le droit d’utiliser le titre d’acupuncteur et d’exercer l’acupuncture.

L’exercice de la profession

La Loi sur l’acupuncture et les règlements qui en découlent encadrent ce qu’est l’exercice de l’acupuncture et le champ d’exercice de l’acupuncteur : 


L’acupuncteur :

• Détermine le ou les motifs qui amènent la personne à consulter ;
• Investigue le ou les problèmes que manifestent cette personne, selon la méthode traditionnelle orientale ;
• Procède, par un questionnaire et par l’observation des signes et symptômes, à l'examen clinique de l'état énergétique de cette personne ;
• Considère les avis et diagnostics des autres professionnels de la santé, y incluant les résultats obtenus par les méthodes d’investigation médicale modernes ; 
• Détermine, selon cet examen clinique, la nature du déséquilibre énergétique de cette personne et précise les facteurs qui le conditionnent ;
• Détermine l'indication du traitement selon la méthode traditionnelle orientale pour corriger le déséquilibre identifié et ainsi améliorer la santé et soulager la douleur ;
• Établit le plan de traitement ;
• Précise une prescription de points ;
• Reçoit le consentement libre et éclairé de la personne qui consulte sur la proposition de soins ;
• Pose tout acte de stimulation requis sur les points d’acupuncture précisés dans le plan de traitement, avec des aiguilles ou autrement ;
• Collabore avec les autres professionnels de la santé ;
• Donne des conseils pour une réadaptation maximale, la prévention des rechutes et des maladies et le développement durable de la santé.

Le profil des compétences

L’ensemble des compétences que doivent maîtriser les acupuncteurs  dans l'exercice de leur profession sont définies dans le Polygramme des compétences cliniques de l’acupuncteur qu’a élaboré et adopté l’Ordre des acupuncteurs du Québec. Ce document est disponible dans la section documentation.

Ref: http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/acces-public/l-acupuncture/definition.aspx

Qu’est-ce qu'une Médecine traditionnelle?

L’OMS définit les médecines traditionnelles comme « la somme des connaissances, compétences et pratiques qui reposent sur les théories, croyances et expériences propres à une culture et qui sont utilisées pour maintenir les êtres humains en bonne santé ainsi que pour prévenir, diagnostiquer, traiter et guérir des maladies physiques et mentales ».

L'OMS reconnaît que, utilisée depuis des milliers d'années, les médecines traditionnelles, dont l’acupuncture, ont beaucoup apporté à la santé humaine. Depuis les années 70, l’acupuncture a fait une apparition remarquée dans de nombreux pays développés et en développement.

L’OMS a élaboré un plan stratégique dans lequel elle encourage les gouvernements à reconnaître l’importante contribution que certaines médecines traditionnelles, dont l’acupuncture, peuvent apporter à l’amélioration et au maintien de la santé.

Stratégie de l'OMS pour la médecine traditionnelle pour 2002-2005 (fichier pdf)

Ref: http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/acces-public/l-acupuncture/definition.aspx

Qu’est-ce que l’acupuncture?

L’acupuncture est l’une des disciplines de la Médecine traditionnelle orientale. Au Québec, la Loi sur l’acupuncture la définit comme « une méthode traditionnelle orientale dont le but est d’améliorer la santé ou de soulager la douleur ».

L'acupuncture se fonde sur une vision énergétique de l'homme et de l'univers pour établir son raisonnement diagnostic et thérapeutique.

Cette vision propose que, sur le plan microcosmique, les systèmes vivants sont organisés à l'image de l’univers macrocosmique et se trouverait donc soumis aux mêmes lois, notamment celles des domaines physiques et électromagnétiques. De ces lois universelles découlent des règles qui serviront de trame à l'élaboration de l’intervention thérapeutique. En prévention, ces mêmes règles inspireront le mode de vie.

Cette dimension énergétique est conceptualisée comme soutenant et dynamisant non seulement la dimension physique, mais aussi les dimensions émotionnelles, mentales et universelles de la psyché . Basée sur une vision holistique, l’acupuncture aura un impact bioénergétique touchant la globalité des aspects de la personne.

L’acupuncteur, traite le malade en s’adressant à cette dimension énergétique, en supportant ou stimulant l’organisme vivant lui-même, l’invitant, le poussant, le freinant, l’aidant à s’adapter et à retrouver son équilibre, lui permettant, autant que faire se peut, de se réparer lui-même.

Le traitement d’acupuncture est constitué par l’implantation et la manipulation de fines aiguilles sur certaines zones déterminées de la peau, des muqueuses ou des tissus sous-cutanés du corps humain, nommés points d’acupuncture. Outre l’aiguille, l’acupuncteur peut utiliser la chaleur, les pressions, le courant électrique ou les rayons lumineux lors de cette stimulation.

Médecine alternative et complémentaire (MAC), l’acupuncture peut être utilisée soit comme alternative à la médecine conventionnelle, soit en complémentarité.

Identifiée comme une Médecine traditionnelle par l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), l’acupuncture a été inscrite au patrimoine culturel immatériel de l’humanité de l’UNESCO le 16 novembre 2010. 

Ref: http://www.o-a-q.org/fr/acces-public/l-acupuncture/definition.aspx