What are health benefits you can get by acupuncture?
Health benefits of acupuncture include relief from chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, depression, migraine, nausea, postoperative pain, and obesity.Acupuncture is one of the most widely used alternative medicines throughout the world, and in simplest terms, acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with small needles at specific points on the body.
What are the pros and cons of acupuncture treatment?
- Refer to an acupuncture point’s chart to find the same.
- Acupuncture treats a number of disorders and qualified practitioners and physicians treat various diseases with the help of it.
- You needn’t be unduly scared of needles and the treatment in general as Acupuncture is considered to be a safe treatment.
What type of treatments is acupuncture most effective?
- Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
- Dental pain after surgery
- Addiction
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back pain
What does acupuncture actually do?
What are 3 benefits of acupuncture?
Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture for Workplace Stress and PainReduced Back Pain, Neck Tension and Relieve Joint Pain in the Hands and Arms. ... Relief from Headaches. ... Reduced Eye Strain. ... Improved Immune System and Reduced Sick Days. ... Enhanced Mental Clarity and Increased Energy. ... Relief from Digestive Conditions. ... Allergy Relief.More items...
How long do the effects of acupuncture last?
In summary, the amount of time the effects of acupuncture last largely depends on the individual's age, symptoms, and treatments they are receiving. This means that the effects can last for either a few days to a couple of weeks.
What are the positive side effects of acupuncture?
Positive Side Effects of AcupunctureA reduction in stress or anxiety. ... You don't get sick as often. ... Better sleep. ... Less painful periods. ... Happier digestion. ... More energy. ... Increased fertility. ... Better relationships.
How do you know if acupuncture is working?
Acupuncture needles are much thinner than medical needles, and they are solid, not hollow. The needles may cause some muscle sensations, such as dull ache or tingling. Your practitioner will ask you to report when you feel a deep heaviness or numbness. Those sensations usually mean the treatment is working.
What are the negative side effects of acupuncture?
Side effects may include:Pain and bleeding from the needle insertion.Nausea.Infections.Skin rash.Allergic reaction.Bruising around the area the needles were placed.Dizziness17.
How often should I get acupuncture?
A common treatment plan for a single complaint would typically involve one or two treatments a week. The number of treatments will depend on the condition being treated and its severity. In general, it's common to receive 6 to 8 treatments.
What should you not do after acupuncture?
So, what should clients avoid after acupuncture? Clients should avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, junk food, alcohol, cold temperatures, digital screens, and, where possible, stressful situations.
How long does it take acupuncture to work?
Generally after 30 minutes of treatment you should feel something working. The length of time needed for it to work depends on what medical problem is being treated and the type of accupuncture being used.
What happens to your body after acupuncture?
What to Expect After Treatment: In general, people tend to feel relaxed after an acupuncture treatment. And the days following might even mean better sleep, digestion, and an overall sense of well-being. But some patients report having a deeper, more intense effect in the days following a session.
What can acupuncture treat list?
What conditions are commonly treated by acupuncture? Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show that it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems (back pain, neck pain, and others) to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility.
What happens if an acupuncture needle hits a nerve?
If a needle hits a small nerve, muscle, or blood vessel, you may feel some pain or a more intense sensation. A single sensation is OK as long as it's brief. Points on the extremities are more likely to produce stronger reactions in the form of dull aches or tingling sensations.
Can acupuncture affect bowel movements?
This typically occurs in patients with bloating and water retention. Some report changes in bowel movements. This is all very normal as acupuncture can stimulate metabolism, help eliminate toxins, and bring the body back to a state of equilibrium.
Why do people use acupuncture?
Some people use acupuncture to promote fertility. It is also used to quit smoking and as a component of the treatment for other addictions. Cosmetic acupuncture, also known as facial acupuncture, is used to improve the appearance of skin.
What is the role of acupuncture in the body?
Acupuncture is also said to influence the autonomic nervous system (which controls bodily functions) and the release of chemicals that regulate blood flow and pressure, reduce inflammation, and calm the brain. 1 .
Why do acupuncture needles work?
Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles to specific acupuncture points throughout the body to restore the flow of qi, balance the body’s energy, stimulate healing, and promote relaxation.
How many needles are used in acupuncture?
Typically, acupuncture will use anywhere from six to more than 20 tiny need les per treatment (the number of needles doesn't indicate the intensity of the treatment). The needles are often left in for 10 to 20 minutes. The acupuncturist may gently twist the needles for added effect.
What is laser acupuncture?
Laser acupuncture: This method is said to stimulate acupuncture points without the use of needles. Ear acupuncture, also known as auricular acupuncture, is sometimes used during the treatment for weight loss, 2 smoking cessation, addictions, 3 and anxiety.
How long does acupuncture help with knee pain?
An analysis of previously published studies found that acupuncture improved physical function in the short and long term in people with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, but it appeared to provide only short-term (up to 13 weeks) relief of pain.
How does acupuncture work?
One theory is that acupuncture works by stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain-relieving chemicals. 1 .
Why is acupuncture good for you?
Acupuncture promotes the body's healthy energy flow, and if need be, the opening of the blockages that lead to physical and emotional disorders in the first place.
Why is acupuncture important?
Acupuncture not only strengthens the immune system to fight back infections and other harmful threats to the organism, but it speeds up healing time as well. Another function of acupuncture is to balance the immune function that, when overactive, could lead to the development of various autoimmune diseases.
How does acupuncture help you fall asleep?
Acupuncture increases your body's natural ability to produce more melatonin. This hormone — when present in optimal amounts — regulates your sleep- wake cycles. Today, largely thanks to our modern lifestyle and poor sleep habits, it is often underproduced, leading to insomnia, frequent awakenings at night, or being exhausted all the time. If this is ongoing for a prolonged time, it is a breeding ground for other future health problems. Acupuncture will help restore your natural ability to fall — and remain — asleep easily, once again.
Why do people use acupuncture?
During and after the application of acupuncture needles, your central nervous system becomes stimulated and releases endorphins and other chemicals that lift your mood. The process helps you to think more positively and support your body to fight off the damaging effects of the state of prolonged anxiety.
How does acupuncture help with pregnancy?
Acupuncture supports the healthy progression of a pregnancy , and even has the capacity to optimize the child's position in the uterus for a natural and problem-free delivery, thereby preserving the mother's fertility and bodily reproductive health.
What is the effect of acupuncture?
Most have heard about the amazing effects of acupuncture when it comes to chronic pain reduction and the improvement of life quality with various musculoskeletal disorders. This ancient healing method has a vast number of other physical, mental, and emotional benefits that not many individuals are familiar with.
Does acupuncture help with digestive problems?
By supporting the healthy functioning of the digestive system and its organs, as well as the rebalancing of the potentially faulty energetic fields, acupuncture can treat virtually all problems of the digestive system. Whether it be acute gastrointestinal problems, or severe manifestations of long-term ongoing issues that have not been addressed properly, such as gallstones, Crohn's Disease , or inflammatory bowel disease , acupuncture can help.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
Health benefits of acupuncture include relief from chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, depression, migraine, nausea, postoperative pain, and obesity. Acupuncture is one of the most widely used alternative medicines throughout the world, and in simplest terms, acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with small needles ...
What is the purpose of acupuncture?
The uses of acupuncture traditionally centered on actuating different bodily functions that may be stalled or working improperly, warming the body, defending against pathogens, containing bodily fluids, and transforming those fluids into other usable forms of material or energy.
What is acupuncture used for?
Another of the most popular applications of acupuncture in recent years has been for the relief of migraines and headaches, both in terms of pain relief and reduction in frequency.
What is the oldest form of medicine?
Acupuncture originated as a traditional practice of Chinese medicine, and in its classical form, acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicinal practice in human history still being used today.
How many meridians are there in acupuncture?
Acupuncture offers a different option for reducing the painful and debilitating effects of arthritis. In the traditional belief system of acupuncture, there are 14 meridians, or energy channels, in the body that allow for the flow of qi, or natural body energy.
Where is the acupuncture point?
There is a particular acupuncture pressure point on the underside of the forearm, near the wrist, that when stimulated, is thought to reduce the sensation of nausea that can induce vomiting. After surgery, when a patient is recovering from the effects of anesthesia, they very often experience postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Why do acupuncturists not place as much importance on point specificity?
Furthermore, many of the modern acupuncturists do not place as much importance on point specificity (meaning the accuracy of placement of each needle), because there are vying theories regarding the importance of locational accuracy versus the process of relaxation and skin penetration.
What are the benefits of acupuncture?
National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat the following: 1 Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy 2 Dental pain after surgery 3 Addiction 4 Headaches 5 Menstrual cramps 6 Tennis elbow 7 Fibromyalgia 8 Myofascial pain 9 Osteoarthritis 10 Low back pain 11 Carpal tunnel syndrome 12 Asthma
What is the purpose of acupuncture points?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.
Why is acupuncture controversial?
Because scientific studies have not fully explained how acupuncture works within the framework of Western medicine, acupuncture remains a source of controversy. It is important to take precautions when deciding about acupuncture.
How many acupuncture points are there in the human body?
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians. These pathways create an energy flow (Qi, pronounced "chee") through the body that is responsible for overall health.
Treats Chronic Pain
People of all ages can experience chronic pain such as shoulder pain, back pain, or arthritis. This can be caused by sitting posture, sports injuries, or a lack of fluid in the joints as people grow older. There are several ways to combat chronic pain, acupuncture is one of them.
Treats Insomnia
Insomnia is a condition that prevents you from getting the sleep you need to feel rested and function in the world. It affects people of all ages and dispositions. Getting adequate sleep is not only vital for your general wellbeing, it can significantly influence your mental and emotional health.
Promotes Flexibility
If you want to obtain the excellent benefits of a yoga practice but you don't have the flexibility for many of the postures, acupuncture can help. Many people don't have the flexibility for yoga by virtue of the culture they have grown up in. Performing yoga poses is a challenging retraining exercise.
Increases Energy Levels
To function optimally day-to-day you need to have good mental and physical energy. This optimal state is usually depleted in the course of our busy lives and needs to be somehow replenished. This is especially the case if you suffer from exhaustion.
Prevents Allergic Reactions
When the seasons change in particular you may find yourself coming down with common flues and colds that affect your life and your performance in your job. If you want to move through the changing seasons in a bubble of immunity you might want to consider acupuncture as a way to support your immune system.
Controls Blood Pressure Levels
If you have issues with your heart health or your blood pressure levels then acupuncture can help. Many people take medications to help with blood pressure issues but medications have side effects and adverse health effects you don't have to think about with holistic therapy.
Improves Digestion
Do you or your children have digestion issues such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, gallstones, or Crohne's disease? If you do you might be given medication by your medical consultant for pain relief. However, medication has side effects and can be addictive.
Why do people do acupuncture?
Why it's done. Acupuncture is used mainly to relieve discomfort associated with a variety of diseases and conditions, including: Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Dental pain. Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. Labor pain . Low back pain. Neck pain. Osteoarthritis.
How to determine acupuncture treatment?
To determine the type of acupuncture treatment that will help you the most, your practitioner may ask you about your symptoms, behaviors and lifestyle. He or she may also closely examine: The parts of your body that are painful. The shape, coating and color of your tongue. The color of your face.
How to become a non-physician acupuncturist?
Most states require that nonphysician acupuncturists pass an exam conducted by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Interview the practitioner.
The Numerous Benefits of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is making waves in the world of complementary and alternative health care, and for good reason. Many patients experience incredible results when they see a professional acupuncturist and receive the appropriate treatments.
Becoming an Acupuncturist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, complementary and alternative health care is expected to continue to grow for many years to come.
Why is acupuncture important?
What many people do not realize is that acupuncture can benefit everyone, as it treats virtually every medical condition and is excellent for helping to maintain a high level of health when used preventatively. Here are my top 10 reasons why EVERYONE should be getting acupuncture treatments as part of their self-care practice:
How does acupuncture help the nervous system?
Acupuncture is one of the best ways to relax the nervous system and promote a state of calm and relaxation.
What can help with menopause?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can help to regulate digestion and restore optimal digestive function. 9. Acupuncture can help with disorders related to menstruation and menopause:
What is acupuncture in Chinese medicine?
Acupuncture is a modality that is part of the Chinese Medical system. The ancient Chinese discovered that the body was comprised of distinct energetic channels called meridians that are associated with the organs in the body. By stimulating these meridians at specific points with needles (Acupuncture) and by touch (Acupressure), the body can be brought back into balance and harmony. Acupuncture has gained increasing popularity over the last century throughout the world and is now accessible to almost everyone. What many people do not realize is that acupuncture can benefit everyone, as it treats virtually every medical condition and is excellent for helping to maintain a high level of health when used preventatively. Here are my top 10 reasons why EVERYONE should be getting acupuncture treatments as part of their self-care practice:
How to reduce musculoskeletal pain?
Instead of turning to another cup of coffee, consider increasing your energy in a balanced and sustained way with acupuncture . 4. Acupuncture can decrease musculoskeletal pain: Acupuncture is one of the best options to consider for both acute and chronic pain.
How does blood flow help with healing?
increasing blood flow to surrounding tissue to bring in nutrients, oxygen, hormones and chemicals to increase the healing process. stimulates your body’s release of natural anti-inflammatory compounds that decrease pain and promote healing.
Does acupuncture help with sleep?
Acupuncture can help improve sleep: 10% of the US population suffers from chronic insomnia, which is difficulty falling or staying asleep. This lack of sleep is detrimental to a person’s quality of life and has significant health consequences.
Why is it important to have a good sanitation process for acupuncture needles?
The quality of the sanitation process on the acupuncture needles is essential to the success of this alternative medicine practice . Without proper sanitation, it is very easy to create an infection that can be extremely painful and even potentially life threatening in rare circumstances.
How long does it take to become an acupuncturist?
It generally requires 3-4 years of study in order to obtain the knowledge and practical skills that are required to become a practicing acupuncturist. Those who wish to practice this form of alternative medicine must also pass a national level exam in the United States in order to become a licensed acupuncturist.
What to ask before acupuncture?
Before having any acupuncture session, ask to see the sanitation process for the needles being used or how they come packaged if disposable sterile needles are being used. 2. The training of the acupuncturist can affect the quality of the treatment. The only way to gain real experience is to provide acupuncture.
Does acupuncture work for everyone?
The pros and cons of acupuncture show that there is a chance for many people to receive some unique benefits. Although acupuncture doesn’t work for everyone , it may be worth a try if other forms of medicine have failed to relieve pain, stress, or other chronic conditions.
Is acupuncture good for you?
18 Pros and Cons of Acupuncture. As a form of alternative medicine, acupuncture is one of the most popular options that is used routinely today. It has the potential to relieve many different types of pain, reduce stress levels within the body, and numerous other well-being needs that someone may have. There is even the potential of relieving joint ...
Is acupressure a noninvasive treatment?
Because acupressure is non-invasive, many doctors are recommending this practice as a acupuncture alternative, especially when there is an aversion to needles. 9. It can be a reassuring practice. Many people have experienced trauma that is only enhanced through a medical evaluation.
Does acupuncture require needles?
New forms of acupuncture don’t even require needles. In the last 2,000 years, acupuncture has only evolved new practices a few times. Thanks to modern technology, one of those innovative periods in this alternative medicine practice is today.
Benefits
Origin
- Acupuncture originated as a traditional practice of Chinese medicine, and in its classical form, acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicinal practice in human history still being used today. Many nations around the world swear by acupuncture, and the popularity of the practices has spread throughout the world, though it is variably accepted as an effective and trusted meth…
Health
- The popularization of alternative medical techniques has led to a plague of sham acupuncture which is not necessarily based on ancient tenets or techniques originally associated with the Chinese methods. Furthermore, many of the modern acupuncturists do not place as much importance on point specificity (meaning the accuracy of placement of each needle), because th…
Overview
- Arthritis can be a debilitating disease that affects tens of millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, the benefits of modern medicine often fall short in fixing it over the long term, which means you must constantly (at least once daily) take powerful medicine to relieve the joint pain. Acupuncture offers a different option for reducing the painful and debilitating effects of art…
Uses
- Another of the most popular applications of acupuncture in recent years has been for the relief of migraines and headaches, both in terms of pain relief and reduction in frequency. Although the exact mechanism to prevent these conditions via acupuncture around the face, neck, and scalp is not fully understood, positive results from research have in some ways justified, dozens of gener…
Side effects
- Neck pain has actually been one of the most highly verified and proven conditions for which acupuncture is effective. In a 2011 review, there was nearly unanimous support and proof of acupuncture being a reliable and side-effect free way to relieve chronic neck pain, very often the pain that can lead to constantly tense muscles, soreness, and headaches.
Medical uses
- Along with strong proof in support of acupuncture alleviating neck pain, it has also been shown as a very effective tool against nausea and vomiting. There is a particular acupuncture pressure point on the underside of the forearm, near the wrist, that when stimulated, is thought to reduce the sensation of nausea that can induce vomiting. After surgery, when a patient is recovering fro…
Prevention
- Studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce the frequency of insomnia for many people. It shows that acupuncture increases the secretion of nocturnal melatonin, which is a chemical that aids and induces sleep. The study showed that in less than five weeks, regular acupuncture significantly decreased the presence and effects of insomnia in the test study group. So, if you c…
Treatment
- The Final Word: As mentioned before, there are dozens of other potential treatments that acupuncture might positively effect, including help quitting smoking to improved vision, weight loss, hormonal balancing, fertility, and erectile dysfunction. Ongoing research in many of these areas will bring answers to light in the coming years, but at the moment, verified scientific proof …
Results
- Except for occasional, slight aching and soreness at the point of skin penetration, there are no side effects, provided you go to a trained acupuncturist that knows the body and has sterile needles, etc. Most importantly, keep your eyes and ears open to new scientific proof about the additional benefits of acupuncture. So far, it has proven to be a wonderful benefit to millions of …