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Conventional medicine treats pain with the help of medications; by either blocking the transmission of pain signals in the body or by correcting the underlying problems caused by the pain in the first place. However, traditional and alternative forms of medicine such as acupuncture manage pain issues within the body through the means of redirecting disrupted energy flows. One of the very few forms of alternative treatments used in conjunction with conventional treatments, acupuncture is seen as a mercurial rise in popularity in the past few decades.

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture dates back to ancient China, about 2500 years ago. It has been widely practiced there for a number of millennia, not only pain relief, but also for treating many ailments. Acupuncture isn’t just considered a form of therapy, but a holistic form of medicine. Acupuncture works on the principle of the flow of energy within the body, also known as ‘Qi’, in traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture strives to correct the disruptions in ‘Qi’ that may cause pain by manipulating over 2000 of the specific pressure points within the body with the help of specially created needles.

Where is acupuncture effective?

Acupuncture is very effective in treating a host of ailments, especially in relieving the associated pain. Some of the areas where acupuncture has proven its effectiveness are:

1. Treating nausea and vomiting caused due to chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients
2.  Very useful in treating post-operative pain caused due to dental procedures
3.  Rehabilitating patients who have suffered strokes
4.  Fibromyalgia (musculo-skeletal pain with fatigue accompanied by sleep and memory issues) 
5.  Effective in combating withdrawal symptoms caused due to addiction
6.  Pain from menstrual cramps
7.  Tennis elbow
8.  Osteoarthritis (a type of arthritis caused due to the erosion of tissues present at the ends of one’s bones)
9.  Pain of the lower vertebrae within the spinal column
10. Asthma

How does acupuncture work within the body?

According to modern medicine, the specific pressure points utilized by acupuncture within the body help in releasing chemicals that can block or at least reduce pain. It encourages the flow of chemicals from the brain, which act as nerve and pain blockers. It also helps stimulate the muscles and nerve endings, which can lessen inflammation and thus help in reducing pain.

With the word accident, the first thing that comes to our mind is a traffic accident or an outdoor accident. We all may usually relate accidents with outdoor hazards, but little do we realize that the place that we consider to be the safest, that is, our homes, has a number of hazards itself. Accidents at home are usually caused due to negligence. Children are especially prone to be hurt by such accidents. Just like we stay careful outside our home, it is also important to maintain safety indoors to prevent accidents.

Here are some of the common accidents that occur mostly to children along with the preventive steps that can help you to avoid them:

1. Fall: Falling is one of the most common accidents that children experience. There may be a number of factors such as objects scattered on the floor, the floor being slippery, unstable walking of the child, lack of supervision, etc.
Prevention: 

• Keep floors clean, dry and free from unnecessary obstructions.
• Always keep a check on your toddler as he learns to walk
• Do not keep babies unattended when they are sitting on a high surface
• Keep the bed rail of the baby cot raised whenever the child is in it

2. Choking: Choking is a serious condition that leads to breathlessness due to accidental swallowing of foods or objects, covering head by blankets, strangulation, etc.
Prevention:

• Avoid toys that have small detachable parts
• Keep a watch on your child when he/she plays with small objects
• Keep children away from buckets or tubs filled with water
• Never allow your children to play while eating

3. Burns: Burns may occur from contact with hot objects, hot water or fire.
Prevention:

• Make sure that you don't hold a child and a hot object or beverage at the same time
• Make sure that your child doesn't enter the kitchen without supervision
• While preparing warm water for bathing your child in, always check the water temperature beforehand

4. Poisoning: Poisoning takes place under conditions of food poisoning or accidental swallowing of harmful substances like detergents, insecticides or drugs.
Prevention:

• Keep all medicines, detergents, soaps and chemicals out of the child's reach 
• Store all chemicals and toxic substances in their respective containers or make sure the containers are labelled properly
• Always keep a first-aid box ready at hand if you have a child at home. For severe conditions talk to a doctor or visit a hospital immediately.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!