An Acupuncture study conducted in Seattle, released this month by the Archives of Internal Medicine, that substituted Acupuncture needles with toothpicks to stimulate the meridian points, has Acupuncture physicians and other Natural Health practitioners scratching their heads. The study used pointed toothpicks to stimulate the body's meridian or acupuncture points and the results in pain relief were nearly identical to the cases where acupuncture Needles were used.
"This study missed the point, " said Acupuncture Physician Dr. Christy Giallourakis of the Center for Oriental Medicine in Tarpon Springs, Florida. "The problem with Western studies of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that the person conducting the study has to use experts on the placement of the meridian stimulus so that any results will be accurate. There are 26meridians but there are many, many, Extraordinary points and these points can be inadvertently stimulated by someone who does not understand the system." What is used to stimulate the points has little effect on the outcome of the stimulation. "If you put any kind of stimulation to the point you will have a reaction."
Acupuncture is based on the energy meridians of the body; these meridians are pathways of subtle energy that connect and compliment every organ and function in the body. Along these pathways is an interconnected system of subtle energy that can interrupt pain or enhance sensation depending upon the combinations of stimulated points.
This article appears in May 20-26, 2009.