If you're new to holistic medicine as a treatment method, acupuncture may seem a little scary. How can putting a needle into your skin possibly make you feel better? Doesn't it hurt?
Well, no, it's definitely not the overtly painful procedure you might imagine, and considering it's been studied and practiced for over 2,500 years, it seems acupuncture enthusiasts have something to take seriously.
Some people swear by acupuncture, calling it a "miracle" for improving their quality of life, as it is said to treat everything from depression and allergies to morning sickness and cramps.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a method based on ancient Chinese medicine that uses needles to stimulate specific points on the skin to treat a variety of illnesses.
Acupuncture is a minimally invasive method that stimulates nerve-rich areas on the surface of the skin, thereby affecting tissues, glands, organs, and various functions of the body.
Each acupuncture needle causes a tiny injury at the site of insertion, and while it's slight enough not to cause any discomfort, it's enough to signal the body that it needs to respond.
This response involves stimulating the immune system, promoting circulation to the area, wound healing and pain modulation. Contemporary acupuncture research mainly relies on this theory.
What is the philosophy behind acupuncture?
The Chinese philosophy behind acupuncture is a bit complicated, as the ancient practice is not traditionally based on science and medicine.
They believed that the human body is filled with an invisible life-giving force they called "Qi", and when the Qi flowed well and went to all the right places, people experienced good mental and physical health. When Qi flows incorrectly (blocked or insufficient), disease can result.
The concept of Qi is not too far-fetched – think of it as the natural inner workings of your body. Sometimes, when you're stressed or anxious, you're more likely to get sick.
When you are relaxed and healthy, your body reflects this. After all, your mood, mental health, and overall well-being do impact your physical health. Therefore, acupuncture is designed to help people achieve balance, or Qi, which can lead to relief from many ailments.
What does acupuncture do?
You may be interested in acupuncture for a number of reasons. For example, I seek treatment for chronic headaches and sinus pressure.
Acupuncture has been found to help treat many conditions and symptoms. Here are just a few:
- allergy
- anxiety and depression
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain, usually in the neck, back, knees, and head
- hypertension
- Insomnia
- Menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMST)
- Migraine
- morning sickness
- multiple sclerosis
- sprain
Research shows acupuncture can also help with cancer treatment. Most cancer centers now include acupuncture as part of their standard of care.
Limited evidence:
- acne
- stomach ache
- cancer pain
- obesity
- Insomnia
- infertility
- diabetes
- Schizophrenia
- stiff neck
- alcohol dependence
While there is no evidence that acupuncture is a panacea for all ailments, there appears to be some evidence that it can be a valuable treatment for people who may be suffering from a variety of conditions.
There's a reason it's been around for over 2,500 years, and as research continues, our understanding of exactly what works and what works will continue to grow.
Integrating acupuncture into real life
An acupuncture session can last 60 to 90 minutes, but most of the time may be spent discussing your symptoms and concerns with your doctor without the use of needles.
The actual treatment portion of acupuncture may last about 30 to 40 minutes. Many actually asked for longer. Dopamine is released during acupuncture, and many patients who enjoy the relaxing experience of dopamine release prefer a longer retention time.
In terms of results, it's almost impossible to say what people should expect because everyone responds to and experiences acupuncture differently.
There is no universal response to acupuncture. Some people feel relaxed and maybe a little tired, while others feel energized and ready to tackle anything, some feel improvements immediately, and for others, it may take multiple treatments to notice positive changes.
However, what are the most common reactions to acupuncture?
People feel happy and content, which is hard to describe in words, but acupuncture gives most people a distinct feeling of balance and harmony, and it just feels good .
You may also feel tired after treatment and have changes in your eating, sleeping, or bowel habits, or no changes at all.
Acupuncture is considered safe and beneficial for many conditions, but it is not a panacea for all ailments—you should still take medications. While it may not eliminate your symptoms, it may still provide relief. So it might be worth a try, especially when dealing with chronic pain.
If you're still skeptical, discuss your concerns with your doctor. They'll look at your symptoms, medical history, and overall health to help determine if acupuncture is right for you.
