The physical and mental health benefits of Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body to stimulate, relax, reduce, release and regulate your body by stimulating the central nervous system. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters which aid in reducing pain, relaxing muscles, and increasing circulation to alleviate sore muscles.
Additionally, acupuncture is non-invasive and has been found to produce long-lasting results for patients suffering from various ailments such as arthritis, migraines, and chronic joint conditions.
Does Acupuncture work?
Although Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, recent research conducted by the NIH and reported in Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that acupuncture is a successful form of therapy either as an independent treatment or combined with traditional therapies to manage various conditions. These include:
- Low back pain/spinal cord
- Headaches
- Osteoarthritis
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
- Dental pain after surgery
- Addiction
- Menstrual cramps
- Myofascial pain
- Asthma
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Sore muscles
According to the renowned Mayo Clinic, acupuncture can help alleviate aches and pains caused by numerous afflictions. Specifically, they highlighted that this ancient form of healing is used to address the discomfort associated with a myriad of diseases and conditions such as the following
- Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Labor pain
- Neck pain
- Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis
What certifications should a doctor or acupuncturist hold?
When deciding which acupuncture practitioner to use, make sure you see a doctor accredited by a national institute. While requirements vary by state, chiropractors can become certified in acupuncture by pursuing diplomate status through the American Board of Chiropractic Acupuncture (DABCA). This requires passage of the DABCA exam, which is offered on an annual basis and includes written and oral portions. Each state also has different clinical education and continuing education requirements.
How Does Acupuncture work?
Through the use of acupuncture needles strategically placed on various points along the body’s meridian pathways, acupuncturists can stimulate the body’s natural healing response. This stimulation encourages increased blood flow to nourish affected areas, promotes cell regeneration, and repairs tissues injured or weakened by disease or injury.
Does acupuncture help reduce tension and stress?
Acupuncture is a non-invasive technique used to stimulate pressure points in the body to relax and reduce tension. Upon stimulation of these acupoints, specific chemicals are released including neurotransmitters and hormones that stimulate the body’s own regulation system.
What are other forms of stimulation used instead of acupuncture?
Different types of acupuncture treatments can bring about different results, such as releasing endorphins to alleviate pain and regulate stress levels; stimulating the production of collagen for better skin health; or balancing out hormones and brain chemistry.
Other forms of stimulation are sometimes used over the acupuncture points, such as the following:
- Suction (cupping)
- Heat (moxibustion)
- Pressure (acupressure)
- Friction
- Impulses of electromagnetic energy
What chemicals are released during acupuncture?
Acupuncture has several healing properties, but some of its more intriguing effects occur on the physiological level.
Several specific chemicals are released when needles are inserted into particular pressure points throughout the body. beta-endorphins are released which act as feel-good hormones, reducing cortisol levels and improving overall emotional well being.
Acetylcholine is released which helps to reduce inflammation, while serotonin and melatonin help with pain relief and improve the quality of sleep. Together these various chemicals contribute to the body’s overall healing process, making acupuncture an ideal complementary therapy for many conditions.
Furthermore, adenosine, a hormone involved in pain regulation, is also released – allowing the body to relax and reducing overall stress.
Lastly, oxytocin is present during an acupuncture session, promoting a feeling of safety and trust between both patient and practitioner. Not only does acupuncture encourage physical healing by resetting vital balance systems in the body; it produces long-lasting mental health benefits as well.
Is Acupuncture painful?
When people think of acupuncture, they may immediately associate it with pain. In reality, though, this traditional Chinese medical treatment can be surprisingly painless. The thin needles used in acupuncture are FDA-approved and specifically designed to cause minimal discomfort during insertion.
When a patient lies down on the treatment table, the practitioner ensures that the area is warm and relaxed before carefully inserting the needles into specific points along the body. This can create an endorphin rush and a slight tingling or heaviness sensation that might occur at certain pressure points.
For patients who do feel moderate discomfort when receiving acupuncture treatments, it is often because their bodies have restricted blood flow and need to be released for healing to occur; however, once they have experienced successful acupuncture sessions with their practitioner, even these patients will generally find them very pleasant in comparison with other treatment methods.
Is acupuncture treatment right for me?
Acupuncture is an excellent choice for individuals who are looking for a safe and natural way to reduce pain, and inflammation and improve their overall mental health. With its proven ability to help with many physical ailments like muscle tension as well as mental health issues such as anxiety or depression, it’s become increasingly popular among people seeking holistic ways to address their medical concerns.
While acupuncture has been known to provide relief from a variety of physical ailments ranging from acute pain management due to injury or surgery recovery all way through chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia or arthritis – anyone considering starting an acupuncture treatment plan should always consult with their healthcare professional first before trying out any new therapy program so that any contraindications can be discussed beforehand in order ensure maximum safety during treatments session(s).
How long does it take to feel the effects of Acupuncture?
The effects of acupuncture can be felt almost immediately after the procedure. Patients often experience decreased pain, improved range of motion and flexibility, better sleep, and a feeling of overall relaxation.
Does acupuncture help with mental health issues?
For those suffering from chronic conditions like migraines, anxiety, or depression, acupuncture can be a valuable tool in managing symptoms without the use of medications or other invasive treatments.
Research shows that acupuncture may be especially effective as a tool to manage symptoms associated with mental health issues.
Studies have found that acupuncture can produce calming effects by reducing anxiety levels and helping individuals better cope with anxiety or stressful situations. Additionally, this form of treatment can help relieve some of the physical pain felt by those suffering from chronic headaches and migraines. Overall, if used correctly, acupuncture can be beneficial for both physical and mental well-being.
Visit Anew Chiro for your Acupuncture treatments
If you want to feel better both mentally and physically, come visit Anew Chiro Chiropractor in The Woodlands Texas. We offer a safe and natural solution that can reduce pain, and inflammation, and enhance your mental health with a treatment plan that includes acupuncture! With over 20 years of experience as a certified acupuncture doctor, Dr. LeBouef is well-equipped to provide customized treatments to help alleviate your symptoms and optimize your well-being. Schedule your appointment today and experience the healing power of acupuncture!
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