Acupuncture - Different Types of Acupuncture
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Tracy E. Austin, MD
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - 07:01 AM

The Different Types of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is commonly thought of as an alternative medical treatment. Though in the United States acupuncture is considered an alternative medicine, it is widely practiced throughout the rest of the world and is an extremely common practice in Chinese medicine.

It has been used in China’s medical system since the 1930s. Most people imagine acupuncture as being stuck with needles in certain key areas to alleviate pain or cure other ailments. It is true that acupuncture involves needles being strategically placed on a person’s body, but there are many varieties of acupuncture.  

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

This type of acupuncture not only involves acupuncture with needles, but also the burning of Chinese medicinal herbs. TCM in considered to be a holistic approach to medicine since it treats the whole person; not only the body, but also the mind and the spirit.

It is based on the concept of Qi (or Chi), which is believed to be a force of energy within the body that keeps the functions of the body, including organs, working properly. The Qi travels along the body on pathways called “meridians” with each one representing a certain body system or organ function. It is along these pathways that the acupuncturist places the needles.

The herbs used along with the acupuncture treatment aid in strengthening the body. These herbs can be used to help stop bleeding, fight a cold, and aid in digestion, for just a few examples. Normally, the herbs are used in combinations of three or more and can be taken in pill form, burned and inhaled, or in tinctures placed on the body during treatment.

Classical Acupuncture

Classical Acupuncture is the most common thought of type according to westerners. It is also known as the five element acupuncture. This type uses needles alone. It is also referred to as Classical Five Element Acupuncture because it corresponds to the seasons according to the Chinese cycle. This cycle includes:
Summer; Harvest; Fall; Winter; Spring

Not only does Classical Acupuncture correspond to the seasons, but also to the five elements found in nature as they relate to a person’s body. These five elements are:
Fire; Earth; Metal; Water; Wood

Japanese Acupuncture

Japanese acupuncture is along the same lines as classical acupuncture, but this type uses smaller needles. It also focuses more on precision and efficient techniques that promote accomplishing bigger results using the smallest amount of stimulation possible.

Electro acupuncture

Like the name implies, electro acupuncture combines traditional acupuncture combined with a low electric current running through the needles and is becoming an ever-increasing popular form of acupuncture. Electro acupuncture uses the same meridians as classical acupuncture, but uses a small device that clips onto the needles. The device sends electric pulses that the acupuncturist can adjust depending on the intensity needed.

Unlike Japanese Acupuncture, electro acupuncture does not need to be so precise. The electric pulses stimulate a wider area making it easier to treat the area. Those who are squeamish about needles will prefer electro acupuncture because it can be done with electrodes instead of needles and attain the same results.

Medical Acupuncture

Medical acupuncture is very similar to classical acupuncture, but it is performed by a licensed medical doctor. It incorporates the medical science surrounding neuromuscular anatomy. Some also include historically Chinese acupuncture patterns; thereby, creating a hybrid of western and eastern medical knowledge.

Auricular Acupuncture

Auricular acupuncture is unique. This type treats the entire body, just like other types of acupuncture, but it does so through particular points located in the patient’s ears. The acupuncturist pinpoints certain nerves found in the ear that relate to other parts of the body to help heal or alleviate pain in that particular part.

Auricular acupuncturists have over 200 acupuncture points to know on the outer ear. This is also called the pinna, more commonly known as the cartilage. Western auricular acupuncturists utilize a tool called an electro acupunctoscope, which is an electric tool. This is along the same lines as the electro acupuncture methods. This method is known as Transcutaneous Electical Nerve Stimulation (TENS).

The type of acupuncture a person chooses may directly relate to the ailment that person has. Acupuncture treats a variety of maladies ranging from health conditions to pain and even helping to increase blood flow to particular areas of the body. For references and resourced information, go to http://www.smilemd.com/acupuncturist/the-different-types-of-acupuncture.aspx

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A Look at the Different Types of Depression

When people talk about depression, they usually mean a person who is feeling down and lethargic, and who has generally lost interest in life. Most people don't realize that there are many different types of depression a person can be suffering from, with each type often showing different symptoms.

While this isn't an exhaustive list, here is a quick overview of the most common forms of depression.

Mild/Minor Depression is the least severe form of depression. Usually the symptoms aren't so severe that they have a major impact in the life of the sufferer, although the depression can still cause distress and disruption. Many people who are suffering from mild depression never seek treatment - they don't believe the symptoms are severe enough.

Dysthymic Disorder is a long-term form of mild depression (lasting two or more years). Like mild depression, most sufferers never seek help as they don't believe their symptoms are severe enough. Also like mild depression, the symptoms of dysthymic depression don't usually have a huge impact on the sufferers day-to-day life. But when the long-term results from the depression are considered, the impact can be huge. People who suffer from dysthymic depression often can't remember a time when they weren't depressed.

Moderate Depression fits somewhere between mild depression and major depression. The symptoms of moderate depression are more severe and numerous than mild depression, and they begin to have an impact on the work, home and social life of the sufferer. While mild depression and dysthymic depression can go unnoticed by others, the symptoms of moderate depression are usually noticeable. If left untreated, people suffering from moderate depression can slip into major depression.

Major Depression (also known as clinical or unipolar depression) is what most people think of when they think of depression - the individual seems to have totally given up on life, and has a large number of obvious symptoms. It is unlikely that someone suffering from major depression could function normally in a work, social or home setting - their symptoms are too pronounced. Suicide can be a huge risk with major depression, and professional help needs to be sought to treat the depression.

Bipolar Depression (BPD) is sometimes known as manic-depression, and is characterized by the sufferer having large mood swings from very upbeat and energetic to extreme lows. Both periods normally last for several weeks at a time. Bipolar depression is usually categorized into a number of sub-categories. While there is no firm consensus on how many sub-categories there are, the four most common are Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar I Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder and Bipolar NOS.

People with bipolar I disorder have the most extreme mood swings. Their low moods can be classified as major depression, while in their positive moods they can engage in crazy, outrageous and even dangerous activities. During this 'mania' state they may even suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

People with bipolar II disorder have much less extreme mania periods. Indeed, many bipolar II sufferers go untreated because people mistake their 'mania' phase for simply getting over their depression. People with bipolar II don't suffer from paranoia or hallucinations.

Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but much more long-term version of bipolar disorder (usually lasting for two or more years). Like bipolar II the mania phases are relatively minor, but in addition their depressive phases aren't so severe that they classify as major depression. If left untreated, cyclothymic depression can develop into bipolar II depression.

Finally, Bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) is a catch-all category for people who have some of the symptoms of bipolar, but those symptoms don't allow the person to be neatly categorized in one of the three other categories. For example, the sufferer may have fast cycling between the manic and depressive states, or manic states without depressive states.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) that affects between 3% and 8% of women. Symptoms of depression appear around a week prior to menstruation, and disappear within a few days of menstruation beginning.

Postnatal (Postpartum) Depression can occur any time in the first 12 months after a baby is born. Some form of postnatal depression affects over 80% of new mothers, although most who are affected only have a very mild form of depression that usually passes naturally with rest and the support of family and friends. However around 15% of mothers get a more severe form of postnatal depression, and like major depression the sufferer needs treatment and support to overcome the illness.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by the changing light levels throughout the year. The most common for of SAD is caused by the low-light levels of winter, but a much rarer form of the disorder is triggered by the high-light levels of summer.

As you can see, depression comes in many different forms - each type of depression has different triggers and symptoms associated with it, and each type of depression also responds better to different treatments. By being aware of the different forms depression can take, you can be much more prepared to help a friend of family member.

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