Introduction to Acupuncture
The Origin of Acupuncture
The word "acupuncture" comes from two Latin words, "acus" and "punctura." Acus means needle; punctura means pricking. The acupuncturist inserts needles into specific points of the body. These points are called acupuncture points.
The origin of acupuncture is shrouded in antiquity. According to tradition, some 5000 years ago the Chinese noticed that pain could be relieved when they rubbed stones against their bodies. It was also discovered that some soldiers, wounded by arrows, recovered from long suffered illness. This collection of ideas led to the principle that needles inserted into various points of the body, when manipulated, could help cure many diseases. This can be said to be the beginning of acupuncture. The earliest and most authentic record of acupuncture was found in the book called "Treatise of Internal Medicine" authored by Huang Ti, the Yellow Emperor. The Yellow Emperor was called the Father of Acupuncture.
How Acupuncture Works
The most commonly asked question in our clinic is how acupuncture works. We offer a modern explanation.
Stimulating the acupuncture points sends a signal to a portion of the brain called the hypothalamus. There, the signals are interpreted and decoded. The brain then sends messages to the body’s defense mechanism through the autonomic nervous system. This brings into play the natural healing process of our body to relieve pain and help cure the disease.
Acupuncture is World-Wide
Acupuncture associations and study groups are active in many lands, such as France, West Germany, Britain, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Italy, and Argentina. These associations consist of physicians practicing a variety of specialties. In addition, many nations support active research programs in the physiology and therapy of acupuncture, notably the U.S.S.R., Korea, and Japan. Recently in America, the National Institute of Health also offered funds for acupuncture research.
Acupuncture's Effectiveness
The World Health Organization recently has drawn up a list of 47 illnesses that lend themselves to treatment by acupuncture. The experience of our clinic confirms the above statement. The ailments that have been successfully treated by acupuncture include:
 | Painful disorders of musculoskeletal system, especially those arising from injury, e.g. automobile or sports injuries |
| Painful neck problem |
| Low back pain from any cause |
| Tendonitis or bursitis of shoulder, hip or elbow |
| Headaches of different type |
| Allergic problem such as bronchial asthma, hay fever, chronic sinusitis |
| Female organ problems such as dysmenorrhea or irregular menstrual period |
| Arthritis of different types |
| Skin problem such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis |
| Menier’s disease or other hearing problem |
| Depression |
| Paralysis following stroke |
| Urinary problem such as chronic prostitis, urinary frequency, chronic cystitis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, etc. |
| Torticolis (Wry Neck) |
| Neuritis or neuralgia of different locations |
| Myasthenia gravis or other types of muscle weakness |
| Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon |
| Major or minor seizures due to cerebral dysfunction |
| Toothache, acute and chronic pharyngitis, hiccups, spasms of esophagus, acute and chronic duodenal ulcer if there are no complications, and acute and chronic colitis with no organic components, etc. |
| Smoking problem |
| Weight problem |
Frequency of Treatment
Treatment series are generally established during the initial consultation and are adjusted based on individual patient reaction and conditions being treated. Most often, physicians find 6 to 10 treatments are necessary to achieve desired results. However, some patients experience results in fewer treatments and some conditions require considerably more treatments. An independent survey of results conducted in 1973 indicated over 80% of the patients who completed the prescribed treatment program experienced relief of their symptoms.
Patients who find a condition is helped or stabilized with acupuncture should continue to have treatments on a periodic basis over an extended period of time. In the Orient, the use of routine periodic acupuncture treatments for health maintenance is common even where no symptoms exist.
Patient Information for Initial Visit
| Do not arrive rushed or hurried for your treatment. |
| Do not eat a heavy meal before or after your treatment. A light snack is permissible. |
| Do not exert yourself for several hours before and after your treatment. |
| Do not drink alcohol before or after treatment. |
Contact Information
Sung S. Kim, M.D.
9600 Colerain Ave. Suite 410, Cincinnati, OH 45251
Telephone 513-385-4333
Fax 513-385-7488
Electronic Mail
General Information: sskim@one.net
Site Design: komarek@one.net
©2002, 2003, 2004 Sung S. Kim M.D. All rights reserved.
10/01/2003