Young Doctor of 25 years had intractable pains nape of neck and arm, diagnosed as CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS, no relief with medicines, no relief with traction and rest, came for Acupuncture treatment, full recovery with just 14 days treatment [ 1979 ] and no pains since then.

A 58 year old Hotel Manager having severe low back pain with lower limbs pain underwent SURGERY for disc – no relief, underwent SECOND surgery – no relief and finally underwent THIRD surgery but unfortunately no relief from pain and could not walk properly and then referred for Acupuncture treatment as a last chance, surprisingly pain relief more than 50% and started walking comfortably.

A KSRTC conductor of 40 years having severe low back pain, had traction – no relief, underwent surgery for disc but in vain, underwent second surgery but no relief at all, to add his misery , met with accident and was unable to walk, was about to get declared unfit for the job. Referred for Acupuncture treatment at this stage. Complete relief of pain with ability to attend routine work with Acupuncture treatment & now attending office work at KSRTC.

A medical student having severe running nose with several bouts of sneezing /day , diagnosed as ALLERGIC RHINITIS at the age of 22 years {1972}, treated with all available medicines including local steroids injection into the nose, but only short lived relief, treated with vaccines from U.K. for TWO years but again short lived relief. TREATED HIMSELF {1981} with Acupuncture after learning it. Can you guess who is he? He is no other than DR VINAY VARMA himself, now enjoying life without Rhinitis and practicing ACUPUNCTURE successfully since 1979.

These are only few living examples. Like this there are hundreds & hundreds of cases wherein very impressive results have been obtained. How? Let us know.

So, What is Acupuncture ? The word Acupuncture is derived from Latin. In Latin, acus = needle, pungra = to prick, to prick a needle for treatment is acupuncture. The combination of acupuncture and moxibustion is known in Chinese as Chen Chiu [ needle & heat therapy.] Acupuncture treatment is usually carried out by inserting very fine needles at acupuncture points. Acupuncture point means a specific spot on the body surface where needling is done to get particular therapeutic response. The practice of cauterizing a part of the ear or body with a hot metal probe is very common in rural India and many Asian countries even today, is nothing but rudimentary form of acupuncture.

It is believed that acupuncture developed in both India and China, independently of each other. If we go back to the Indian medical classics, known as Vedas, said to have been written about 7000 years ago, we find "needle therapy" mentioned there. The oldest known Chinese book on acupuncture, Nei Ching, did not appear before fourth century before Christ and historical data indicate that the Nei Ching was probably written around the second or Third century B. C. One volume of the Vedas, known as Suchi Veda, translated as the "art of piercing with a needle," was written approximately 3,000 years ago and deals entirely with acupuncture, and described 180 points known as "MARMA", which are said to heal or kill. The whole knowledge of Shalya Chikitsa or acupuncture is arranged in an orderly manner in eight volumes of the famous ancient CLASSIC SUSHRUTA SANHITA. Nevertheless, one cannot argue the fact that the acupuncture was more developed by the Chinese than the Indians, and presented to the World in a more complete fashion as “Chinese acupuncture”.

Acupuncture may be classified as

Symptomatic acupuncture is mainly practiced by BARE FOOT DOCTORS as first line symptomatic treatment for non specific short lived illness in rural setup.

Classical Acupuncture OR Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on {W} Holistic Approach. Total person is evaluated before treatment, regardless of the particular treatment. Acupuncture does not treat named disease but rather the cause of the disease. It is important to treat the cause of the disease because symptoms are just signals of a problem in the body. Chinese herbs may be combined.

Acupuncture Anesthesia is one of the most impressive developments (1958) of Chinese medicines. The term ‘acupuncture anesthesia’ is really a misnomer. Although pain impulses are cut off by raising the pain threshold, other sensations like temperature, balance and vibration sense are found to remain intact. Hence it would be more accurate to use the term ‘Acupuncture Analgesia’. Acupuncture anaesthesia {analgesia} has been tried in over 100 different types of operations in over 2 million cases with success rate of about 90% in China. Generally, it is thought to be more effective in head, neck and chest surgery. In India too, few major surgical operations are performed under acupuncture analgesia and results are encouraging.

“Medical acupuncture” is the term used to describe acupuncture performed by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine, one who has also thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty practice. Such a doctor can use one or the other approach, or a combination of both, as the need arises to treat an illness. Best of both Worlds.

Mechanisms of Acupuncture

Considerable controversy has surrounded Acupuncture, on the one hand extravagant claims have been made for its efficacy while, on the other hand, it has been criticized for its lack of Scientific standing. There are fake training centers, fake acupuncturists.

First, let us know, what is a Scientific method ? At the close of the last century, T. H. Huxlay defined science as "organized common sense". And the method of organization came to be known as "Scientific method". The scientific method consists of observations, inference and experiment, followed by the formulation of hypothesis, theories and laws which in turn are subject to verification or otherwise by further experiments. Acupuncture was born from keen observations of clinical facts. For instance , when JENNER on the advice of a dairy maid introduced SMALL POX vaccination, it was effective then as now, even though no scientific / immunolgical explanation was available. We do not know the exact mechanism of even one of the oldest & very common drug ASPIRIN, but we use it, rather use is increasing.

Acupuncture is not like a drug, it is a COMPLETE SCIENCE or HEALING SYSTEM by it self, having several effects to regulate the function of the human body and to increase its resistance by enhancing the immune system and the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-spastic, anti-shock and anti-paralytic abilities of the body. So, Acupuncture effects can not be explained by single theory. Nor is acupuncture simply a trigger for releasing endorphins to create a temporary anesthetic effect by blocking nerves that transmit pain message, as currently maintained in medical circles. It is far more than that. Acupuncture was born out of experience of thousands of years. The most fundamental biologic expression of this harmony or disharmony is the relative balance or imbalance of that primordial energy which the Chinese called Qi {pronounced Chi } , A free and balanced flow of Qi in the body expresses harmony and health while a blockage of this energy indicates illness. Qi travels along certain pathways called meridians. There are TWELVE PAIRED & TWO UNPAIRED meridians, named pertaining to particular organ. YIN & YANG THEORY, THEORY OF FIVE ELEMENTS, ORGAN CLOCK and many more traditional theories not only explain Chinese Philosophy but dictates the rules to practice the art of acupuncture. These theories are difficult to digest by others who are trained in so called Modern Medicine. But some of these are getting proved to be very close to Modern Medicine, for example ORGAN CLOCK & CIRCADIAN RHYTHM.

Research based on Modern Medicine started in & outside China, only after Mr. Nixon’s visit to China 1971. Recent research for a mechanism of acupuncture has primarily focused on analgesic effect of Acupuncture and most of the work confirmed the efficacy of Acupuncture. This is well supported by Gate control theory which offers peripheral analgesia and Endorphin theory which induces central analgesia.

According to recent studies, acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) to release chemicals ( medicines ) .These chemicals either change the experience of pain or release other chemicals, such as hormones, that influence the body's self-regulating systems. The biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Thus, “Mind” is the biggest pharmaceutical industry in the World and it needs proper STIMULUS and WILL.

Yester years we believed that the brain stopped developing after the first few years of life. If a particular area of the adult brain was damaged, the nerve cells could not form new connections or regenerate, and the functions controlled by that area of the brain would be permanently lost. Today we recognize that the brain continues to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This phenomenon is neuroplasticity. It allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for injury and adjust their activity in response to new situations or changes in their environment. Acupuncture is potent stimulus to enhance neuroplasticity.

In spite all these shortcomings, our understanding of the mechanism of action of acupuncture for the treatment of pain is superior to our understanding of the mechanism of action for many drugs in widespread use today.

Indications:

Theoretically it is possible to help or cure by acupuncture any disease that can be affected by a physiological process. So, acupuncture can be used in many conditions.

The W. H. O. at the Interregional Seminar, Beijing 1979, drew up the following provisional list of disorders that lend themselves to acupuncture treatment. The list is based on clinical experience { and not necessarily based on controlled clinical research }. This is not listed here as it is difficult to understand by non-medical people.

In ancient times, even diseases like tuberculosis, malaria etc had been treated by acupuncture. But now it is proved that in these disease acupuncture cannot play the key role and effective medicines have been found. However, a cure depends upon how well the cause of the disease is understood and in consequences to what extent it can be eliminated and Acupuncture should be used where it can give better & long lasting results compare to modern medicine, for example, one should treat Malaria with modern drugs and treat chronic painful conditions with Acupuncture. One should know the limitations of Acupuncture first and when not to give acupuncture. One should remember that acupuncture is neither panacea for all the diseases NOR IT IS ALTERNATIVE TO MODERN MEDICINE, but IT IS SUPPLEMENTARY TO MODERN MEDICINE.

Acupuncture is highly effective in painful conditions by virtue of its well known analgesic effects, cervical spondylosis, low back ache, sciatica, arthritis trigeminal neuralgia, Migraine, pain of secondary cancer { course of cancer cannot be influenced by acupuncture at present} or any acute or chronic painful condition. Results are long lasting which is the main advantage over modern medicine in case of chronic pains.

Almost all paralytic conditions responds { except conditions wherein growing tumors are responsible } well to acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture “ HASTENS ” the speed of natural recovery. Hemiplegia, Facial Palsy, post polio or polio like paralysis are good examples. Acupuncture is very useful in increasing SPEED OF NATURAL RECOVERY in mild to moderate cases of DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES like cerebral Palsy etc.

Respiratory and allergic conditions like Br. Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Drug addictions, peripheral neuropathies, nocturnal enuresis, impotency and some mental conditions respond well to acupuncture treatment and so called incurable eye conditions like Optic Atrophy, Retinitis pigmentosa , high myopia etc., Acupuncture is worth trying.

Side Effects, Contra Indiactiona and Complications

There are no known side effects but Complications of acupuncture [acupuncture accidents] can occur from improper technique, lack of skill, or failure to observe certain guidelines and are very much PREVENTABLE, so IT IS VERY IMPORTANT ( VITAL ) TO HAVE ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT FROM QUALIFIED & EXPERIENCED ACUPUNCTURE SPECIALIST.

There is no fear or danger of transmission of AIDS / HEPATITIS B because of excellent sterilization techniques available and use of PERSONAL SET OF NEEDLES OR DISPOSABLE NEEDLES.

DIABETES MELLITUS IS NOT A CONTRA INDICATION AT ALL , provided it is under treatment / control .There are no absolute contraindications for Acupuncture Therapy, but PREGNANCY, CONGESTIVE CARDIAC FAILURE, SEVERE DEBILITY IN OLD AGE, PRESENCE OF SEVERE INFECTION are considered relative contraindications.

Most of people here believe that Acupuncture Therapy is the last chance and no other treatment is effective later on. This is absolutely FALSE and on the contrary , if Acupuncture Therapy is given EARLY , results are much FASTER / BETTER & much more LONG LASTING.

Recent Developments

Electro – Acupuncture wherein electronic waves ( pulses) are passed thro’ acupuncture needles, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ( T E N S ) otherwise known as ACUPUNCTURE WITHOUT NEEDLES, Sono – Acupuncture wherein sound waves are passed at acupuncture points and similarly Laser Acupuncture using laser beam And Homeo –Acupuncture with homeopathic drugs, are the recent developments. But, according to most of leading practitioners, traditional use of “needles” is the best. Kinetic acupuncture is another recent development wherein body acupuncture & scalp acupuncture and physiotherapy is well coordinated.

The W. H. O. view point of Acupuncture:

In CHINA, 800 DISEASES are being treated with ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY and at least in 140 countries in the world. Many prestigious hospitals, universities, and medical schools around the world have now established departments for acupuncture research, therapy and analgesia. The Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden for instance, the Ivory tower which awards Nobel Prizes annually in Western medicine and allied sciences, has established a Pain Clinic with acupuncture since 1982. SRI LANKA – was best training Centre out side china during yester years and had a separate Minister for Traditional Medicines & Acupuncture. US Government –opened the office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of Health and found Acupuncture can help relieve the nausea caused by chemotherapy in addition to analgesia. The FDA approved Acupuncture needles for use by licensed practitioners in 1996. Acupuncture is emerging as a branch of Medicine all over the world after getting a boost from evidence based medicine (EBM). General Practitioners, Rheumatologists, Anaesthetists, Pain Specialists, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dentists & Veterinary Surgeons are either providing Acupuncture Therapy or referring to Acupuncture Specialists

The Extent and Nature of Acupuncture in Italy & other countries:

According to the Italian law, acupuncture therapy must be performed only by medical doctors (this has also been the case in France, Belgium, Denmark, and the Scandinavian countries). The So-Wen data base of MD acupuncturists, the largest file available in Italy, counts more than 7,000 names. The total number of Italian MDs trained in acupuncture is likely to be about 10,000. As in France, this represents one of the highest densities of Chinese medical practitioners outside East Asia (Holland, which does not restrict acupuncture to medical doctors, has the highest density, with an estimated one practitioner for every 3,200 people). The population of Italy is about 56 million, or less than one-fifth that of the U.S., which has a more liberal legal status for acupuncture yet has only about 15,000 licensed acupuncturists and about 5,000 medical acupuncturists.

British Medical Association ( B M A ) has recognized acupuncture for their National Health services and opined that acupuncture should become more widely available on the National Health Services and family doctors should be trained in some of its techniques. There are more than 2000 doctors using acupuncture.

Acupuncture in India

Conclusion:

Many qualified doctors of modern medicine criticize Acupuncture. Let them criticize but ONLY AFTER KNOWING ABOUT Acupuncture. They should know that the safety of a technique must be judged on its results in the hands of competent practitioner who use it properly. If this criterion is accepted, acupuncture per se must be seen as a very safe therapeutic system, whose complications are very rare and are easily avoidable or rectified. If it does no good, at least it does no harm either. Acupuncture is one of the best of modality for treating the sick, If it works, it is great, if it does not work, patient still can get his surgery done or medical line of treatment as may be the indication. In conclusion it is clear, that research on acupuncture will not be only significant for the health and welfare of the people but also important for the progress of medical science. When acupuncture is combined with modern medicine, the patient benefits. Combining Western medicine and Acupuncture is what DR. VINAY VARMA is practicing to bring smile by relieving pains and adding life to years.

Free consultations for POOR / NEEDY is arranged every Tuesday at, Dr Vinay Varma’s ANAND PAIN RELIEF & REHAB INSTITUTE, Eureka Colony, Opp: SBI Zonal Office Sholapur Road, Keshwapur, HUBLI - 580023, (Karnataka), India, between 10 to 1 PM by Govindram Varma Charitable Trust.