Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Managing Heart Disease With Acupuncture

By John Baker

There are many drugs on the market that can be used to help heart disease. However, with any drug a patient risks the possibility of side effects. Therefore, many people are turning to alternative medicine practices to help improve their heart health and treat heart disease without the harmful side effects of drugs.

A popular alternative treatment that shows promise in helping patients to manage their heart condition, or avoid developing one, is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese for centuries to enhance health and wellbeing, through the use of small needles which are inserted into appropriate locations in the body.

According to tradition, acupuncture aids in the movement of blocked energy in your body. It removes the obstruction and facilitates the flow of energy once again. And research indicates that there's something to this practice.

Scientific investigation shows evidence that acupuncture can relieve hypertension, which in turn reduces the chances of heart disease. There is also data that shows it can decrease the risk of angina, which is chest pains caused when the heart's blood vessels go into spasm. In the studies, those who chose acupuncture to treat their angina recuperated sooner than those who relied on traditional medication.

Generally, acupuncture is a painless treatment because of the small size of the needles. You might not believe it, but it can actually be a soothing and restful therapy. After the needles have been inserted, you can just lie comfortably and relax.

Before choosing an acupuncturist, do a little homework to make sure of certification by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. This tells you that your acupuncturist has the training required to practice this type of medicine and continues to refresh their education.

Although some insurance companies offer coverage for acupuncture treatment, most do not, so you will most likely have to shell out for the treatment yourself. Fees can vary considerably depending on where you live. Inquire at several facilities to find out the rates before you book an appointment.

It usually takes several sessions to get the effect you desire. However, the cost and time may be worth it because acupuncture carries no harmful side effects and may reduce your dependence on expensive medications.

It's not unusual to be a little apprehensive of trying an alternative therapy. But if you do a little research on the internet you will find that the benefits of acupuncture are starting to be recognized by the medical community. Since the Chinese have relied on acupuncture since ancient times, modern western society might just need to catch up.

Many studies are confirming what people have known traditionally for a long time - acupuncture does work in many cases. - 16004

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