Alternative Treatments: Acupuncture for Pain ManagementInstructions: Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that is used throughout the world, although it is considered to be part of an ancient Chinese tradition. It is performed by inserting needles into the skin at specific points on the body and is used to treat a number of conditions. According to the Mayo Clinic, in the Chinese tradition, the insertion of needles helps to restore balance the life force, known as qi or chi, through pathways in the body. One of the most common uses is for pain treatment. However, it can be used for a number of other purposes, including preventive maintenance. It can also be used to treat emotional and psychological problems.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years. Its use in the United States is more recent, though, and it did not become popular until the 1970s (Tran, 2012). Although it has many practitioners and adherents, there is still some controversy about its value as a medical treatment by many people in the United States. Still, the numbers indicate that it has become widely accepted. Statistics from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, showed that as of 2007, 3.1 million people used acupuncture as a form of treatment, either in conjunction with or instead of traditional medicine. In the United States, it is estimated that there are about 20,000 licensed acupuncturists (Two Views of Acupuncture). It adds credibility to the practice...

In most states, practitioners must pass an exam administered by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
The Western Acupuncture Center has a very calming effect on you as you walk in the door; it does not seem like a traditional medical doctors' office. In fact, it does not seem like a medical establishment at all. The waiting room seems more like a well-designed, clean and inviting living room; the colors are light, tans and beiges. The furniture is simple and comfortable; there are cushioned couches and several individual chairs. Information on various types of acupuncture treatments is available, and there is soft music playing in the background. A large water fountain is set inside one of the walls, and it gives a sense of serenity and comfort. Overall, the atmosphere is very calming and very inviting. A receptionist greets you with a smile that makes you feel like a welcome visitor. This is very different from a traditional allopathic office, which tends to be more business-like in its atmosphere. In my experience, visits to the doctor have tended to make my blood pressure rise; there are confusing insurance forms and consent forms and there is a rush to complete them before you are seen by anyone, including a nurse. This visit to the Acupuncture Center was very different from that.

There are many types of pain, and acupuncture is believed to be effective for all of them. Different…