Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Acupuncture

How can it help?

Acupuncture is a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It works to restore the flow and balance to the qi (energy) in the body. Tiny needles are inserted along meridian lines to help achieve this. Acupuncture is believed by some to be effective in treating the symptoms of STDs and improving  immunity. Results of a recent research trial show that acupuncture can help to heal herpes lesions and reduce recurrence of the infection.

Here's the link:

http://www.wdxcyber.com/alternative-therapy-STDs.html

This is a sensitive topic and I thought it was interesting how Acupuncture can help the STD symptoms. Above is a bit of info on STDs and Acupuncture.

Here's an interesting article on Acupuncture and HIV, could it be that Acupuncture and naturopathic medicine will be the next big thing?

How TCM Works for the HIV Patient

So it works great. But how does it work? Chinese medicine can appear to be mystery. Behind the needles, smoking moxa sticks, and funky-smelling herbs that comprise the typical TCM experience is a complex philosophy that explains relationships between organs, blood, and Qi flow. All theories and diagnoses in this medical tradition, however, follow a very simple premise: that health is a balance or harmony of forces and properties in the body, and ill health a disharmony.

Disharmony can be caused by outside forces, such as cold or wind, and inside forces, such as emotions. But ancient texts also describe the existence of pestilences, called li qi or yi qi. These are diseases from the outside world, but they different from the usual suspects; they’re the external “evils” of wind, cold, heat, dampness, and dryness.

A pestilence is highly infectious and can bring about an epidemic. Since TCM understands epidemics, that knowledge and protocol can be brought to bear on one of the most devastating pandemics of our time, AIDS.

TCM vs. HIV

A small number of acupuncturists have been studying the AIDS virus and developing a TCM diagnosis for the disease since the health crisis first began. Misha Cohen, O.M.D., L.Ac, describes the specific diagnosis of HIV/AIDS as invasion by toxic heat pestilence, which eventually causes spleen/stomach deficiency inside the body. Once the body is depleted by the disease’s attack on the spleen and stomach, the disease can progress to cause additional disharmonies, such as liver Qi stagnation and blood deficiency.

Each individual will have a unique response to the AIDS virus, and different disharmonies will develop in each person. One AIDS patient might develop Kaposi’s sarcoma, for instance, while another might experience anemia or peripheral neuropathy. The versatility built into treatments — there are hundreds of acupuncture points to choose from and endless point combinations possible — ensures a targeted treatment that is tailored to each patient’s health needs.

How do Western HIV/AIDS doctors view the role of acupuncturists in treating AIDS patients? Charles describes his Western doctor as being very open to acupuncture — in fact, his doctor was the one that referred him to an acupuncturist. Andre’s doctor doesn’ comment when Andre describes his TCM involvement, and Andre senses that his doctor might not value TCM. However, both men find it easy to work both East and West into their lives. They regularly check in with their Western doctors to monitor the virus, and their acupuncturists are well versed in Western medicines and protocol for HIV/AIDS. In the view of many in the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS, Western and TCM doctors working in collaboration provide the best care to patients battling one of the most devastating health problems in recent history.

It is thought that more than 1 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Acupuncture has the potential to enrich the health and quality of life of their lives. 

Acupuncture and HIV: The "new" weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS 

 Society have been studying this disease for decades and resulted unsuccessful in finding a cure to date. Now that Acupuncture is such a rapidly growing medical practice, it's getting some attention in the STD and AIDS/HIV department. This oriental medical practice was mocked and judged as a trickery for a very long time but is now a respected form of medicine and medical practice. Why is that so? I personally believe that it was because of the malpractice cases of western medicine and the deadly side effects of prescription drugs. 

Surprisingly, Acupuncture has started to join forces with the western medicine in hospitals across the country. Who knows? Maybe in the future, there will be Acupuncture hospitals and pharmacies dedicated to herbal medicines. All I know is, that's why I'm in college and that, my friend, will come true one day. Just watch me.