Acupuncture is a Jab Well Done Quiz

Answer: No, but there will be some sensation as the needles are inserted

As a general rule there will be a slight sensation as the needle is inserted. Once the needle is in place there should not be any pain at all, however, it must be remembered that everyone will have differing tolerances to pain. Additionally, some patients may have an illness that will make them much more sensitive to pain.

A good practitioner should be able to ascertain this through questioning at the diagnosis phase.

Answer: False

A hypodermic needle has a bevelled edge, which creates a sharp tipped point and this does make insertion into the skin easier, however, it also produces a cutting or ripping action as it is inserted. The acupuncture needle, on the other hand, has a dowelled, or rounded, edge which provides a much smoother insertion and reduces the risk of scarring.

A hypodermic is used to insert or withdraw fluid from the body, which means the needle needs to be hollowed and, consequently is much wider than your standard acupuncture needle.

The acupuncture needle is solid and very thin.

Answer: Qi or Chi

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) describes qi as a 'vital energy' that moves through all life forms. At times, when an illness arises, it is believed that your qi is blocked. Acupuncture uses needles inserted into the body at specific points, along lines called meridians, The needles are then twirled or manipulated to remove these blockages and restore balance.

Answer: Choosing the first name that appears in the trade pages of your local newspaper

In the hands of a licensed and trained acupuncturist this form of treatment is extremely safe. Remember, you are about to ask someone to stick pins into your body, making sure that they have the necessary qualifications, know what they are doing and ensuring they use clean instruments cannot be overstated.

Answer: A child

Certain manipulations and acupuncture points would place a pregnant woman under risk and those under the adverse influence of drugs and alcohol are likely to provide incorrect or misleading information during the diagnosis phase. There are no age restrictions for acupuncture and it is a safe treatment for children, however, the sight of needles sticking out of their skin may well scare the living teddy bears out of a child.

In these instances you may find that the practitioner may resort to acupressure, a method of massaging the acupuncture points, rather than employing needles.

Answer: They are energy channels linked to your body's organs and systems

OK granted, if your practitioner was a sarcastic doctor he'd probably use any of the other answers but the truth is meridians are invisible lines that allow the flow of energy through your body. There are 12 main and eight 'extra' meridians. Your main acupuncture points exist on the 12 main lines and two of the 'extra' channels.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) these exist within a balance of 'yin' and 'yang'. Your 'yin' organs are solid, such as your liver, and the 'yin' life force is Blood.

In TCM Blood is written with a capital 'B' as it is linked to but not identified as 'physical' blood. The 'yang' organs are hollows, for example, your intestines and the 'yang' force is your 'qi' which translates to vital energy.

Answer: World Health Organisation (WHO)

The thought that these meridians are invisible and that the acupuncture points are found on these theoretical lines makes you wonder - how do they know where they are? Well, I can't answer that one but I'm somewhat assured that someone else has thought the same thing and looked into it.

The WHO have identified and characterised 361 acupuncture points and more are gradually being identified. In addition the WHO also lists approximately 50 different conditions that can be legitimately treated by acupuncture.

Answer: Minor scarring

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin and have a dowelled (rounded) end. It has been designed in this manner so it doesn't rip your skin in the manner that a hypodermic needle will. The risk of any scarring is negligible. Patients need to be mindful of the after-effects of any form of treatment and any concerns should be discussed with their practitioner both before and after treatment.

Answer: Palpation

Palpation means the use of touch. This is done by feeling or tapping particular areas of the body to identify, among things, points of pain, perspiration, skin temperature and swelling. Observation begins the moment you enter your practitioner's office.

They will make assessments of your appearance, facial features, gait, vitality and tongue colour. Listening is used to assess the quality of your breathing, voice and cough. Smelling is a way of understanding your body odours and breath. Questioning is needed to establish your health history.

In TCM the approach is to bring balance to the whole body and not to simply treat the spot that is sore. Whilst attending to the sore spot may bring ease it may not be the answer to the problem. The four areas described above are all vital in assessing the state of your entire body.

Answer: Palpation

Pulse diagnosis in TCM is very different to the methods of Western medicine. Your practitioner will use three fingers, the index, middle and ring, on your radial artery. These are used to apply three alternate degrees of pressure, light, medium and heavy, which, in turn, correspond to three areas of your body - upper, middle and lower parts.

In TCM there are 28 different pulse classifications delivering information vital to your practitioner's diagnosis.