Many Americans are familiar with acupuncture as an alternative treatment to ailments such as stress, anxiety and pain. However, patients are now learning that it is also a way to treat serious illnesses, including mesothelioma. With the growing number of medical professionals gaining respect for this form of treatment, insurance companies are beginning to follow suit and cover the costs associated with acupuncture.

The History of Acupuncture

Although acupuncture is a fairly new treatment in the United States, it dates back thousands of years in China and Mongolia. One theory about its discovery, while still uncertain, explains that wounded warriors dealing with chronic pain found relief by the use of arrow punctures.

Discovered artifacts help support the theory of acupuncture’s use in ancient times. An early Chinese medical text even describes the use of acupuncture. The text, titled “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine” dates as far back as 305 - 204 BC.

Modern Use

After its introduction, the use of acupuncture continued and spread throughout Asia, including nations we today call Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. However, it did not enter America until sometime in the 1970’s. Americans that returned from China began reporting about patients that underwent surgery using acupuncture as their only anesthesia. Since that time, interest in acupuncture has continued, leading to its increasing popularity as a treatment for several different illnesses and ailments.

How it Works

Acupuncture involves the use of fine needles that are placed in specific pressure points. In this form of traditional Chinese medicine, the patient’s body is treated as a whole and considered to be composed of several systems of function. In ancient times, the Chinese felt that the use of acupuncture returned the body’s balance and harmony to the patient.

Even though modern science cannot to determine why acupuncture provides relief, there remains no doubt that it does assist patients. One theory suggests that acupuncture causes the release of endorphins, which create a euphoric feeling, blocking pain. Another theory suggests that pain transmission can be distorted at many locations in the brain and that acupuncture does this successfully.

Acupuncture for Treating Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos. Patients dealing with the stress, anxiety, and pain of this disease have reported a great relief after the use of acupuncture. Additionally, those that are suffering with asbestosis, another asbestos-related illness, report pain relief and an ease in breathing after using acupuncture as a treatment.

During the beginning of the treatment, the acupuncturist asks the patient questions that will help determine their medical state. Next, they complete a full examination of the patient to decide what the best course of treatment will be and which specific pressure points need to be manipulated so that the patient receives maximum relief.

After the acupuncturist determines which pressure points to manipulate, thin needles are inserted into those locations. Once these sterilized needles are in place, the patient may be left for several minutes to rest before the needles are removed.

In spite of the fact that acupuncture is considered an invasive procedure, when a skilled acupuncturist is utilized, the risk is minimal. When compared to other treatments, the National Institute of Health finds that the side effects, which include dizziness, bruising and minor bleeding, put the patient at a very low risk of serious harm.