General8 Ways Acupuncture Can Help Soothe the Pain

Acupuncture is a form of complementary therapy that uses tiny needles inserted at specific sites on the body to get relief from pain and other health concerns. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine-based approach and is now standard complementary treatment worldwide.

How does acupuncture work?

Acupuncture improves body functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific anatomic sites known as acupoints. The method used to stimulate acupoints is the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Acupuncture needles are hair-thin and very flexible, so you will hardly feel them when inserted into your body. Even we can say these needles are painless because of their tiny size.

Conditions commonly treated by acupuncture:

• Neck Pain
• Labour pain
• Low Back Pain
• Knee pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Headache
• Dental pain
• Tennis elbow
• Menstrual cramps
• Respiratory disorder
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sprains
• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Depression

Below are the conditions acupuncture may benefit:

1. Reduces anxiety Anxiety

It is one of the top reasons people choose acupuncture treatment. In a small study of people with chronic anxiety, participants reported a decrease in anxiety symptoms after receiving acupuncture for ten weeks. Work is a significant trigger of stress; acupuncture has been proven to lower stress hormones and moderate mood to reduce anxiety and improve feelings of happiness.

2. It helps with menstrual period pain.

Acupuncture also benefits from easing painful periods. People who have received acupuncture reported much relief from painful periods and improved quality of life.

3. Reduced Back Pain, neck tension

Up to 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their life. Acupuncture has shown more improvement in back pain than conventional treatment, including medication, exercise, and physical therapy. Acupuncture gives drug-free pain relief and also reduces swelling and inflammation.

4. Offer pain relief during pregnancy.

Acupuncture is very safe to receive during pregnancy time. It relieves the low back and pelvic pain, which is common in pregnancy. Pregnant ladies also relieve other problems such as nausea, heartburn, difficulty sleeping, and aches and pains from acupuncture.

5. Reduces digestive issues

Acupuncture provides more relief from indigestion than medication. It reduces heartburn and other problems such as gastrointestinal.

6. Offers symptom relief during cancer treatment

Acupuncture is increasingly used as a combined approach to cancer care. Acupuncture can help with both cancer-related symptoms and side effects of treatment, such as:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes
• Dry mouth caused by chemotherapy

7. Relief from headaches

Acupuncture has been used to treat headaches for many years. Recent studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce days with migraines and can have lost lasting effects. Acupuncture will not only lower headache frequency, and it may be almost as effective as medication.

8. Improved immune system

Acupuncture helps fight pathogens by boosting the body’s immune system and increasing energy. It can reduce the duration of a cold and relieve debilitating symptoms that keep you feeling miserable. Improved sleep also benefits from acupuncture which is why it is used to treat sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Philosophy behind acupuncture

The Chinese philosophy behind acupuncture is that they believe the human body is filled with an invisible life-giving force called ‘qi.’ When qi flows well and goes to all the right places—a person experiences good mental and physical health. You are prone to illness when you are stressed. On the other hand, when you are relaxed and healthy, your body physically will reflect that too.

Treatment Procedure

Firstly, an acupuncturist will ask you about your health history. Then they will examine your tongue shape and color and check your pulse rate. They will also perform physical examinations depending on the patient’s health conditions. Using their unique assessment tools, the acupuncturist can recommend a proper treatment plan to address the patient’s condition.

Individuals will lie down during the procedure.

Most people feel no or minimal discomfort as the fine needles are gently placed. The needles usually stay in place for 20-60 minutes, depending on the procedure. During and after treatment, people feel very relaxed and refreshed. In some practices, the acupuncturist will heat needles after insertion.

Acupuncturists will always use new, sterilized needles and will dispose of them safely after every session. This reduces the risk of any infection and blood-borne diseases.

How many treatments will you need?

Treatments vary from person to person. One to two weekly treatments for several months may be needed for complex or long-standing chronic conditions. For severe problems, only a few visits are required, a total of eight to ten. The expected number of treatments will be discussed by an acupuncturist during your initial visit, depending on your condition.

How to choose the right acupuncturist

Choose an acupuncturist who is certified and holds a current state license. Some certification requirements slightly differ by state. Before getting started, ask any questions you have about the process. An acupuncturist will tell you what to expect and a precise treatment plan. Feel free to ask about their experience treating the problem you are seeking help for because some acupuncturists might have more experience treating specific conditions or symptoms.

Things to consider

Acupuncture is a complementary treatment that has an origin in China. It should not take the place of doctor-recommended treatments. Before the person wants to go for an acupuncture procedure for chronic pain, headache, back pain, neck pain, or other conditions, they should take advice from their primary care physician. In some cases, acupuncturists themselves can be primary care physicians.

Conclusion

The benefits of acupuncture are sometimes difficult to measure, but people find it helpful in controlling painful conditions. Acupuncture is generally considered a safe complementary medicine with few side effects. And if you are looking for an affordable acupuncturist, you can check out https://shoreline-acupuncture.com/.

It benefits many conditions, such as headache, back pain, neck pain, and menstrual period pain. It may not eliminate your symptoms but surely will ease them. It only has a few side effects, so if you are considering any alternative treatment for pain, anxiety, or digestive problems, it will be worth giving acupuncture a try.

This is a sponsored post