Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that has been practiced for over 3,000 years. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into the body at various points to stimulate the flow of energy or life force (Qi) through channels called meridians. The goal is to use acupuncture as a way to balance and regulate your natural energies so you can achieve better health.2500 years, it’s something that a lot of people believe in and with good reason.
- The benefits of acupuncture are vast and varied
- How acupuncture works
- Acupuncture for specific ailments
- Why choose an acupuncturist over a Western doctor
- How acupuncture works on the body
- What to expect when you come in for your first treatment
- Types of needles used during treatments and their functions
The benefits of acupuncture are vast and varied
Some of the most common benefits are pain relief, improved immune function, increased circulation, and relaxation. Acupuncture can be used to treat a number of symptoms including asthma, nausea/vomiting from pregnancy, or chemotherapy treatments among many others.
The positive effects acupuncture has on people who suffer from anxiety have been studied extensively, with over 200 studies on the subject. Many of these show acupuncture to be more effective than a placebo in reducing anxiety and improving mood.
Health benefits from acupuncture often start to be seen after just a few treatments, and the benefits can last for months or even years.
Many people have found acupuncture to be an effective way of addressing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
It is also helpful in treating chronic pain conditions including lower back pain and endometriosis. Acupuncture can help with fertility by increasing ovulation rates and lowering the risk of miscarriage.
Acupuncture treatments can be used for all ages, from children to seniors and everything in between.
It is very effective with weight loss when it’s combined with a healthier diet and increased physical activity. Research has shown acupuncture as an adjunct therapy helps people lose weight more effectively than just following a traditional Western medicine approach.
We have the following two options: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which is based on ancient philosophies, or Western Acupuncture that has many similarities to TCM but utilizes modern equipment such as an electro-stimulator rather than traditional needles.
How acupuncture works
It can vary from patient to patient, but it’s often thought of as an extremely effective pain management technique.
Acupuncture can be used for: headaches and migraines; chronic low back pain; arthritis and other joint aches. It also helps with insomnia, depression, digestive problems (such as stomachaches), fatigue, or lack of energy due to stress.
Some people say acupuncture minimizes the side effects of chemotherapy, boosts immunity levels, and stimulates fertility in women who are struggling with infertility issues.
How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture is thought to stimulate a certain part of your brain that controls pain perception or gives you a sense of calmness by releasing endorphins. It may also stimulate the release of neurotransmitters.
In many cases, acupuncture is not expensive and it can be done at a variety of locations including clinics, hospitals, or your own home.
What does acupuncture feel like? Acupuncture needles are usually thin enough to penetrate skin without discomfort when inserted correctly into certain points in the body. Patients may experience some minor soreness, but needles are typically not painful.
What conditions can acupuncture help? Acupuncture is a popular treatment for many different health issues like pain management and infertility treatments.
Some people also use acupuncture to treat depression or anxiety because it works on the central nervous system by releasing endorphins that produce feelings of well-being.
Acupuncture for specific ailments
Acupuncture Physicians apply needles at specific points of the body, often to relieve pain. Acupuncture for fertility: acupuncture can help with infertility treatments by regulating hormone levels and stimulating blood flow in the pelvic region. Acupuncture for depression or anxiety: acupuncture is a popular treatment that works on the central nervous system by releasing endorphins which produce feelings of wellbeing.
Every Acupuncture Physician has a different technique and some people may experience more discomfort than others, but it is generally safe.
How acupuncture works on the body
Acupuncture benefits are linked to its ability to stimulate energy in our bodies that regulate pain and inflammation through neurotransmitters like serotonin or GABA. Acupuncture needles send electrical signals into muscles to “turn off” pain messages to the brain.
Another way acupuncture helps with chronic or acute pain is by regulating hormone levels, such as thyroid and cortisol. Acupuncture has been found useful for fertility treatments because it regulates hormones that are released from the pituitary gland in response to stress and can be helpful for both males and females. Acasualties may also experience reductions in depression or anxiety through acupuncture treatment- acupuncture works on the central nervous system by releasing endorphins which produce feelings of wellbeing and relaxation.
Acupuncture treatments can also be useful for gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS or Crohn’s disease- acupuncture helps to regulate the gut by improving intestinal motility and reducing spasms. Acupuncture has been found to help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who have difficulty falling asleep by regulating their circadian rhythm and helping them experience more restful sleep.
Why choose an acupuncturist over a Western doctor
Acupuncturists are trained in both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, allowing them to recognize when it is time to refer a patient on for more specific treatment.
Your acupuncturist will assess your symptoms holistically- by evaluating the whole person rather than just one symptom or body system they are able to determine which acupuncture points need stimulation
Acupuncture Physicians do not take a “one size fits all” approach to treatment. The specific acupuncture points chosen will depend on your unique condition and symptoms.
Why Acupuncture Works-Acupuncture works by stimulating the nerves under the skin at these acupressure points, which in turn stimulates certain parts of your nervous system. This changes how signals are sent through your body’s central nervous system, relieving pain or another discomfort.
It is known that acupuncture can help with many health conditions like anxiety and depression because it affects the central nervous system when endorphins are released, also known as feel-good hormones. These feelings relieve stress levels for those suffering from chronic mental issues such as anxiety disorders or depression.
Acupuncture Physicians will also usually prescribe a series of acupuncture treatments that are meant to help patients learn how their body reacts to the treatment. They will then be able to take that knowledge and practice it at home by rubbing the needles on themselves.
A doctor of oriental medicine will insert long scissors thin metal needles into specific points along your body’s meridians which can be found at major energy channels including those around your head, legs, arms, and torso region; these are called acupoints. The way they’re inserted varies depending on what is being treated but most people find them very painful nonetheless when first receiving treatment because their nervous system is not accustomed to the feeling yet.
And once they’re inserted, your doctor will manipulate and twist them in order to massage all of these points along that channel; this is known as needle-induced stimulation. They can also use heat or electrostimulation which are both methods used for acupuncture analgesia.
What to expect when you come in for your first treatment
The first words out of your doctor’s mouth will be telling you to get undressed from the waist up. This is because they need access to your back in order for them to insert needles and manipulate those points on it. There are two common areas where people have acupuncture done: their neck and shoulders, or their lower back (sacral).
– Even though most needling doesn’t hurt, patients often say that it does feel like a bee sting when the needle goes into place. You’ll know this has happened if you can see blood dripping down onto what looks like an eggshell with little bristles sticking out at its highest point on one side; these are called “hairs” which help gather tactile stimulation as well as anchor the needle.
– According to acupuncture theory, it’s not the needles that are doing anything but rather what those needles do when they’re inserted into specific points on your body and then rotated or twisted; stimulating certain nerves in this way has an effect on blood flow, endorphins released to ease pain, and natural healthful chemicals called neurotransmitters which produce effects such as relaxation or a sense of calmness.
– The session will be over once you’ve had about ten minutes’ worth of treatment (or more if necessary). Afterward, you’ll need some time for these new sensations to settle down before returning home so plan accordingly. If you have questions after your first session with acupuncture don’t hesitate to contact us for help!
Types of needles used during treatments and their functions
Needles being inserted into the skin at acupuncture points to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms
Acupuncture needles are made of various materials and come in a variety of shapes. The needle size is selected based on what point it will be stimulating, as well as the person receiving treatment. – There are two major types of acupuncture needles: single-use disposable acupuncture needles which can only be used once for one patient; and reusable thin stainless steel acupuncture needles that can be sterilized to provide many treatments before they need replacing.
Many types of needles are used during acupuncture treatments. The needle that is inserted into the skin at acupuncture points to stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanisms comes in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Acupuncture Physician use needles that are made of various materials and come in a variety of shapes. The needle size is selected based on what point it will be stimulating, as well as the person receiving treatment.
There are two major types of acupuncture needles: single-use disposable acupuncture needles which can only be used once for one patient; and reusable thin stainless steel acupuncture needles that can be sterilized to provide many treatments before they need replacing.