Acupuncture helps ease pain and treat different health issues. Some think it balances your body’s energy, others say it affects your nerves. It’s an old part of Chinese medicine—tiny needles go into certain spots on your skin. When done by someone good at it, acupuncture can safely help with many problems. It might even work for you, even if you’re not into its whole idea. More: Heal Your Life: The Empowering Philosophy of Louise Hay
Nutrition is important, training is important – but so are rest and recovery, massages, acupuncture. Your body is your temple, and you’ve got to take care of it.
Antonio Brown
Acupuncture is a complementary treatment and isn’t a replacement for what your doctor tells you to do. Before trying acupuncture for stuff like long-lasting pain, it’s smart to talk to your regular doctor first.
Understanding acupuncture: Ancient wisdom in modern healthcare
Acupuncture comes from ancient Chinese medicine and is now used around the world alongside other treatments. In Chinese medicine, they believe our health depends on balancing two opposite forces called yin and yang, and on a life energy called Qi (pronounced “chi”). They think sickness happens when these forces are out of balance. They say Qi flows through special paths in our bodies called meridians, there are 361 points where these paths meet. By putting tiny needles into these points, they say they can fix the balance. More: Past life regression – much more than a passing trend
A 2017 study revealed that these points are situated in areas where stimulating them can impact numerous nerves sensitive to sensations. When needles are inserted, it might help our brain and muscles deal with pain and boost blood flow. Another study in 2018 looked at how well acupuncture works for long-lasting pain. It found that it can help reduce pain, more than just thinking it’s helping (called placebo). But we’re still not sure exactly why it works. Numerous studies from various locations concur that when administered by a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is both safe and beneficial for a wide range of health issues. More: The Top 3 Fitness for Women Apps according to reviews
In the UK, the National Health Service looked at lots of research about acupuncture. They found it can help with tooth pain, jaw pain, and feeling sick after surgery or chemo. For many other problems that acupuncture could help with, there is not enough research yet to say for sure if it works. But in many countries, doctors say it’s worth trying for pain and some other issues. More: Understanding Chiron retrograde: Healing through the signs
The process and potential benefits
During an acupuncture session, the practitioner conducts an assessment of the individual’s condition before proceeding to insert one or more sterile needles and provide guidance. Patients typically assume a seated or reclined position throughout the procedure. The acupuncturist must employ single-use, sterile needles to ensure safety and hygiene. Sensations experienced during needling may include a momentary stinging or tingling, followed by a mild ache at the insertion site. More: How to lose face fat?
Supplementary techniques that an acupuncturist may incorporate encompass:
- Cupping: Employing suction cups to promote blood flow to targeted acupuncture points.
- Chinese herbal remedies: Dispensing herbal formulations, either custom-prepared or in tablet/granulated form.
- Laser therapy: Utilizing low-level laser technology to stimulate acupuncture points sans needles.
- TCM remedial massage: Application of massage techniques to specific points or meridians.
- Moxibustion: Application of heat from burning herbs to stimulate acupuncture points.
Post-treatment, patients often report feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation, although individual responses vary. While some individuals experience heightened energy levels, others may feel drowsy. Occasionally, symptoms may temporarily exacerbate before improvement ensues.
The frequency of treatment sessions required is contingent upon the individual’s condition. Typically, noticeable symptom alleviation occurs within several sessions. Central to the philosophy of acupuncture is the restoration of bodily equilibrium, thereby obviating the need for further intervention once equilibrium is achieved. More: Self-Care: Why Spa Visits Are Essential for Well-being?
Be aware of the risks
Before trying any treatment, it’s important to know the good and bad things about it. Always talk to a doctor first.
Here are some things that could go wrong with acupuncture:
- You might bleed, bruise, or feel sore where they put the needles.
- If the needles aren’t clean, you could get an infection.
- At times, a needle may inadvertently break and cause internal discomfort.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes rules about acupuncture needles to keep them safe. They have to be clean, safe, and only used once by someone who knows what they’re doing.
If you have a serious or long-lasting problem, it’s smart to include acupuncture with regular treatments from your doctor. More: Top NLP techniques for personal growth and success
