What is Acupuncture? Where comes it from?

In ancient China, a method of medicinal treatment was discovered several thousand years ago. It uses special points on the human body called acupuncture points. Stimulation of these points can help to treat different diseases. There are three traditional methods of stimulation – needles (acupuncture), pressure of fingers (acupressure or manupressure) and heat application (moxibustion–using burning dry wormwood). There are also other methods to stimulate the acupuncture points, including electricity, magnetism and laser.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, the acupuncture points are connected to each other by meridians (vessels of life energy called qi), as well as to inner organs and other parts of the body. Diseases caused by an imbalance of this energy can be corrected by stimulation of the acupuncture points. Although full scientific explanation of how acupuncture works is still not complete, modern research has discovered several mechanisms. The human nervous system (peripheral nerves and central nervous system) as well as the secretion of different substances are involved. The most complex explanation offers biocybernetic theory of acupuncture.

When is the treatment with Acupuncture indicated?

Acupuncture can be used for treatment of many kinds of diseases. As this method is a regulation therapy, it is most effective in diseases caused by functional imbalances without organic affliction of the body. However, acupuncture must not be used in certain situations and conditions, and the physician must always consider these factors before acupuncture treatment is performed.  One acupuncture session takes 20-30 minutes, and it is usually necessary to undergo several sessions (around 5-10, sometimes more) to get the desired effect.

Which problems can be solved with Acupuncture?

• Psychological – anxiety, mild depression, insomnia or sleeplessness, habitual addictions (smoking and overeating)
• Nervous system – headache, stroke, trigeminal and other neuralgias, facial nerve paresis, carpal tunnel syndrome
• Musculoskeletal system – backaches, pains of joints (arthritis) and ligaments, tennis elbow, etc.
• Heart and blood vessels – high blood pressure, some kinds of arrhythmias caused by vegetative disorders
• Respiratory system – common cold, cough, asthma
• Gastrointestinal system – functional problems like dyspepsia, gastritis, constipation and diarrhea
• Urogenital system – colic, night enuresis, female problems (cycle irregularity and menstrual pain)
• ENT (ear, nose, throat) – sinus problems, chronic and recurring inflammations of tonsils, dizziness
• Teeth pain (symptomatic relief before dentist treatment), gum inflammation
• Immunity problems – recurring infections, cold, allergies
• Pains of other causes

At Unicare Medical Center we can offer acupuncture treatment especially for common problems such as backache, headache, common allergies etc. Our general practitioner Michael Blazej studied acupuncture in the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in courses organized by the Postgraduate Medical School of Prague and at the Open International University for Complementary Medicines in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has obtained an official license to practice acupuncture in the Czech Republic, issued by the Czech Medical Acupuncture Society.

MUDr. Michael Blazej
General Practitioner and Acupuncturist
Unicare Medical Center