Unfortunately, there is precious little research done on the potential benefits of acupuncture for autoimmune diseases in general, or alopecia areata specifically. Acupuncture is often cited as an alternative treatment for alopecia. But we suspect that that is due to acupuncture simply being a relatively popular form of alternative therapy. There is some anecdotal evidence that acupuncture may have benefits, but until scientific studies are seriously undertaken, that is where the situation will remain. The following is for informational purposes only, and anyone interested in pursuing this particular treatment for alopecia, or for anything else, would do well to speak to a doctor that they respect.
How does acupuncture work?
No less an institution than The Mayo Clinic addresses the question of how acupuncture works like this:
The traditional Chinese theory behind acupuncture as medical treatment is
very different from that of Western medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine,
imbalances in the basic energetic flow of life — known as qi or chi (chee) — are
thought to cause illness. Qi is believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in
your body. These meridians and the energy flow are accessible through
approximately 400 different acupuncture points. By inserting extremely fine
needles into these points in various combinations, acupuncture practitioners
believe that your energy flow will rebalance. This will allow your body's
natural healing mechanisms to take over.
In contrast, the Western explanation of acupuncture incorporates modern
concepts of neuroscience. According to the National Institutes of Health,
researchers are studying at least three possible explanations for how
acupuncture works:
- Opioid release. During acupuncture,
endorphins that are part of your body's natural pain-control system may be
released into your central nervous system — your brain and spinal cord. This
reduces pain much like taking a pain medication.
- Spinal cord stimulation. Acupuncture may
stimulate the nerves in your spinal cord to release pain-suppressing
neurotransmitters. This has sometimes been called the "gate theory."
- Blood flow changes. Acupuncture needles
may increase the amount of blood flow in the area around the needle. The
increased blood flow may supply additional nutrients or remove toxic substances,
or both, promoting healing.
Read more of the Mayo Clinic's article on acupuncture by clicking here.
Common Types of Acupuncture
Psychology Today Magazine define the most common varieties of acupuncture practiced today in this way:
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture
Needles
are used to activate specific points of the body that affect the flow of chi.
When acupuncture was first developed, ivory and bone needles were used. As
technology advanced, iron, silver and gold needles were developed. Today,
practitioners of traditional Chinese acupuncture use stainless-steel needles
about the width of one strand of hair.
Japanese Acupuncture
A slightly gentler
method, Japanese acupuncture uses thinner and shorter needles than the Chinese
style. There are two treatments: root and local. Root treatment addresses a
patient's energy imbalance as a whole, while local treatment focuses on
alleviating specific symptoms. Both root and local treatments can be performed
at the same time.
Five-Element Acupuncture
The concept of
yin and yang is also associated with the Chinese philosophy of the five
elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Nature and humans are linked in a
cyclical pattern of creation and destruction symbolized by these elements. This
belief colors Chinese history, philosophy and medicine. Five-element
acupuncturists take a holistic approach to medicine, focusing on the chi and the
balance of the five elements in the body. They believe that restoring the
balance of elements will cause other symptoms to cure themselves.
Auricular Acupuncture
This method is
performed solely on the 200 acupuncture points around the outer ear. Because
acupuncture points are connected by energy pathways, each point around the ear
is linked to other points around the body. It is thought that auricular
acupuncture can have all the benefits of traditional acupuncture because
stimulating points around the ear affects specific pathways, which in turn
stimulate the body's flow of chi.
Korean Hand Acupuncture-Acupressure
Similar to auricular acupuncture, Korean hand acupuncture utilizes what
Tae-Woo Yoo, a Korean physician, calls micro-meridians, which link to
traditional meridians that flow throughout the body. Tae-Woo Yoo developed this
form of acupuncture in 1971, mapping the micro-meridians of the hand and linking
them to corresponding pathways. Treatment is isolated to the hand, but, as with
auricular acupuncture, the overall effects are thought to be identical to
traditional acupuncture performed on the body.
Trigger Point Acupuncture
A direct style
of acupuncture, specific trigger points are used to relieve muscular tightness
caused by injuries or bad posture, for example. Tight muscles are identified and
a thin needle is used to probe the area, causing the muscles to twitch
involuntarily, relieving tightness and, usually, symptoms.
Read more from Psychology Today here.
How to find an acupuncturist near you?
For those living in the USA:
American Academy of Medical Acupuncture
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Psychology Today's Complementary Health Practitioner Listing
For those living in Canada:
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada
For those living in the UK:
British Acupuncture Council
For those living in Australia:
The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association
For those living in South Africa:
Acupuncture Association of the South African Society of Physiotherapy
For those living in New Zealand:
New Zealand Register Of Acupuncturists
Review
There are, of course,
differing views on exactly how effective acupuncture is as a treatment
for alopecia areata. If you have experience with this therapy, whether
positive or negative, please take a moment to share your review with
those who are considering it for themselves or their family member.
Go to Hypnosis Reviews
Go to UV Exposure Reviews
Go to Yoga Reviews
Go to Zinc Reviews
Go to Aromatherapy Reviews
Go to Onion Juice Reviews
Go to Iodine Reviews
Go to Auto-Immune Diet Reviews
Go to MeditationReviews
Go to Arnica Mother Tincture Reviews
Back to Alternative Therapy Home
Alternative therapies run the gamut from the generally accepted as
beneficial, to the edge of the edge of the fringe. First it must be
noted that one shouldn't undertake any sort of elective therapy without
consulting a medical practitioner. Now having said that (and meant it!)
we can go ahead and talk about what can be a useful and beneficial area
to explore. There was the recent much reported story on how a
preliminary study on the effects of hypnotherapy on alopecia were at
least promising. We like promising.
