What is Acupuncture therapy?

Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic technique that has been established and utilized as a complete treatment system in many developed countries of the western world.

Research shows that acupuncture regulates and balances the hormonal system, the immune system and the system  for stress management. Acupuncture also ensures anti-inflammatory results in a number of diseases. This is a treatment that has a medium and long term effect and  good results may last for months or years.

Acupuncture is completely harmless and has no side effects when applied by appropriately trained doctors. Three-dimensional anatomical areas of the skin and muscles are the acupuncture points, which are usually located in the course of peripheral nerves and nerve endings. Its special anatomical, electrical, chemical and metabolic properties are responsible for the specialized and personalized functionality of acupuncture points.

Many different therapeutic techniques are implemented at Satory acupuncture center:

• electroacupuncture,
• auricular acupuncture 
• abdominal acupuncture,
• laser acupuncture (mainly applied to children and adults with phobia of needles)

The history of acupuncture begins 4,000 years ago in China and has since been applied in Europe and America for 160 years. The therapeutic technique of acupuncture is based on the painless insertion of thin needles in specific parts of the body to activate Qi energy, in order to stimulate, rejuvenate and self-heal the body. Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force.

Acupuncture is a complete therapeutic system which has been documented and proven as it:

• has a strictly defined and complete theoretical background and framework
• has the ability to diagnose diseases and symptoms
• has the ability to prevent diseases and symptoms
• has the ability to treat diseases and symptoms
• has the possibility of further research and participation in modern scientific research along with classical medicine.

Medical acupuncture is a technique which promotes health, wellness and balance to body and mind. It is a complete treatment system that has no side effects and should be applied only by properly trained doctors.

It is a holistic medicine that enables the body to heal, by awakening the forces of self-healing that originate in every organism.

Acupuncture has been established internationally as a complete therapeutic system. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Greek state have recognized acupuncture as a medical treatment method.

The two-year postgraduate medical acupuncture training is certified by ICMART (International Council for Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques) which is the world association of Medical Acupuncture, based in Brussels.

In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified acupuncture needles as medical tools for general use by acupuncturists.

By decision of the Ministry of Health – Welfare and Social Insurance, the Greek state accepts Acupuncture as a method of treatment provided that it is applied exclusively by doctors who have received special training and have experience in the application of medical acupuncture (574 / A4 / 1191 / 21-2-1980) (Υ7 / οικ. / 4270 / 25-6-96).

Bibliography

Bannerman RH, The World Health Organization Viewpoint on Acupuncture, Am. J. Acupuncture, 8, 1990, 231-235
FDA-US, Food & Drug Administration, http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=880.5580