Acupuncture is a component of the health care system of China that can be traced back at least 2,500 years. The general theory of acupuncture is based on the premise that there are patterns of energy flow (Qi) through the body that are essential for health. Disruptions of this flow are believed to be responsible for disease. Acupuncture may, it has been theorized, correct imbalances of flow at identifiable points close to the skin.
The practice of acupuncture to treat identifiable pathophysiological (disease) conditions in American medicine was rare until the visit of President Nixon to China in 1972. Since that time, there has been an explosion of interest in the United States and Europe in the application of the technique of acupuncture to Western medicine.
Acupuncture is a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical locations on or in the skin by a variety of techniques. There is a variety of approaches to diagnosis and treatment in American acupuncture that incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. The most thoroughly studied mechanism of stimulation of acupuncture points employs penetration of the skin by thin, solid, metallic needles, which are manipulated manually or by electrical stimulation.
Are there standards for acupuncture needles? After reviewing the existing body of knowledge, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed acupuncture needles from the category of "experimental medical devices." The FDA now regulates acupuncture needles just as it does other devices, such as surgical scalpels and hypodermic syringes, under good manufacturing practices and single-use standards of sterility. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely practiced in the United States. There have been many studies of its potential usefulness.
Promising results have emerged; for example, it appears to help with adult post-operative and chemotherapy nausea and with post-operative dental pain. There are other situations, such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, headache, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and asthma, where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment or an acceptable alternative or when included in a comprehensive management program.
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If you would like to know more about acupuncture, the senior center is having an informative class at 3 p.m. Wednesday. This is a great chance to ask questions and find out how it works. To sign up, stop by the front desk or call us at 433-2370, ext. 0.
Upcoming
Tuesday
• 8:30 a.m., Silver Sneakers.
• 9 a.m., Exercise with Evie Anderson.
• 12:30 p.m., Cards, Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge.
• 4:30 p.m., SilverSneakers.
• 6 p.m., Movie: "The Karate Kid."
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Wednesday
• 9:30 a.m., Tai chi.
• 12:30 p.m., Card, Pinochle, Cribbage Tournament, Duplicate Bridge.
• 1 p.m., Stitching Bees.
• 1 p.m., Open Chess.
• 3 p.m., Acupuncture Class.
• 5:30 p.m., Zumba.
Thursday
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• 8:30 a.m., SilverSneakers.
• 9 a.m., Exercise with Evie Anderson.
• 12:30 p.m., Cards, Pinochle.
• 1 p.m., Bingo.
• 1 p.m., Open Chess.
• 4:30 p.m., SilverSneakers.
Friday
• 9:30 a.m., Tai chi.
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• 12:30 p.m., Cards, Bridge tournament.
Weekly card results
Monday Bridge for Aug. 8, with three tables playing:
First — Harriet Oldenburg; second — Russ Vaale; third — Betty Jorgenson; fourth — Joan Maxfield; fifth — Mary Johnsen.
Tuesday "500" for Aug. 12 with four tables playing:
First — Lois Anderson; second — Fran Bolstad; third — Eddie Hall; fourth — Helen Broitzman.
Tuesday Afternoon Bridge for Aug. 9:
First — Dave Ring and Loren Cleland; second — Dick Hansen and Larry Crowe; third — Joyce Crowe and Marge Blaser, and Bud Higgins and Jim Fisher.
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Friday Bridge Tournament results for Aug. 5, with four tables playing:
First — Judy Bungum; second — Lois Johnson; third — Russ Vaale; fourth — John Allen; fifth — Millie Sievers; sixth — Mable Vaale.
Friday Cribbage for Aug. 12, with 1 1/2 table playing:
First — Jessie Swain; second — Dorothy Peterson.
Weekly "500" tournament results for Aug. 9, with four tables playing:
First — Dorothy Stern; second — Barb Dickman; third — Eddie Hall; fourth — Arlys Spurlin.
Weekly Cribbage for Aug. 11, with 3 1/2 tables playing:
Perfect score. First — Russ Vaale; second — John Allen; third — Ray Waters; fourth — Jesse Swain.
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Semcac daily meals
Tuesday
• Salisbury steak.
Wednesday
• Hot pork sandwich.
Thursday
• Baked chicken.
Friday
• Meatloaf.
