What You Should Know About Acupuncture For Hepatitis C

What You Should Know About Acupuncture for Hepatitis C
August 27, 2010
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Learn the facts about how acupuncture can help chronic Hepatitis C - and what feats arebeyond its reach.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Acupuncture treatments are often considered to help those with Hepatitis C, the most common chronic blood borne pathogen in the United States. Affecting overfour million Americans, chronic Hepatitis C can progress to advanced liver disease - a severe, potentially fatal condition. Although recent pharmaceutical developments look promising, the currenttreatment for Hepatitis C is effective in only about half of those infected. Without a guaranteed cure, many people look for help outside of the pharmaceutical industry.

Benefiting people with liverdiseases for at least 2,000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has many approaches for combating Hepatitis C; the most well known of which is acupuncture. Despite the success many have had withacupuncture, fears and misconceptions still keep others from experiencing its benefits. Several of the myths that perpetuate acupuncture's misunderstanding, include:

•Myth - Hepatitis C is easilyspread through acupuncture.
•Truth - While sharing contaminated needles can transmit this blood borne virus, today's acupuncturists only use sterile, single-use, disposable needles. When usedappropriately by a licensed acupuncturist, there is no risk of Hepatitis C transmission.
•Myth - Acupuncture is painful.
•Truth - Most acupuncture recipients experience gentle sensations from acupunctureneedles that range from warmth to tingling to heaviness. For those who are particularly sensitive to acupuncture, TCM practitioners can use pediatric needles to prevent any painful sensations.
•Myth- Acupuncture can cure Hepatitis C.
•Truth - Acupuncture treatments can help many aspects of chronic Hepatitis C infection (ease symptoms, strengthen immunity and improve liver function), but...