Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Managing Heart Disease With Acupuncture

By Keira Adams

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 the Chinese, acupuncture helps to move energy that may have become obstructed. It removes the obstructive forces and changes the flow of energy. And more and more scientists approve of this procedure.

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.

There usually is no pain associated with acupuncture because of the size of the needles. You wouldn't think so, but it can actually be a calming treatment. After the needles are placed in strategic spots, you can just lie down and rest.

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.

Acupuncture is covered by some medical insurance, but most people will probably have to pay out of pocket. Visits range widely in cost across the country. It's a good idea to call several practitioners in your area to find out about the going rate.

Generally, you'll need to make a few visits before you start seeing results. But in the end it will mostly likely be well worth your time since you won't be experiencing the side effects and possible addiction that normally go along with the use of medication.

Some people are unsure about alternative medicine therapies, but a quick look online can show you that science is beginning to come around to this ancient form of medicine. The Chinese have been practicing it for centuries, and Westerners really are the ones behind the times.

Many studies are confirming what people have known traditionally for a long time - acupuncture does work in many cases. - 16650

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