Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese healing technique that uses needles to be inserted into specific areas of the body to help balance the body's energy and relieve discomfort. Acupuncture is used in many medical fields today, including neurology.

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Historically, the use of acupuncture dates back thousands of years. Acupuncture has been used in China since ancient times to treat diseases and relieve pain. In the 20th century, acupuncture began to gain traction in Western medicine after being recognized by the World Health Organization in the 1970s.

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Today, acupuncture is often used in neurology for diseases of the musculoskeletal system such as back pain, headaches, migraines and Parkinson's. The method can also be used for neuropathic pain, such as trigeminal neuralgia.

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Acupuncture treatment is usually performed in a sitting or lying position. The needles are then placed at specific points on the body, with the acupuncturist determining the exact location of the needles based on acupuncture-specific meridians in the body. The needles remain in the body for about 20-30 minutes and are then removed.

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How acupuncture works is not fully understood, but it is thought to stimulate the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

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In neurology, acupuncture is an alternative or supplement to other therapies, such as drug-based pain therapy. In some cases, however, acupuncture can also be used as a sole therapy.

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Although there is still a need for further clinical studies to confirm the effectiveness of acupuncture in neurology, the method is already being used successfully in many patients and is considered a promising therapy option.