Acupuncture is a growing form of alternative medicine, which offers many health benefits that even some prescription medications can’t replicate. Acupuncture involves the process of inserting tiny, thin needles into certain areas of the body that are associated with the particular ailments or diseases the patient is suffering from. This is said to release “stuck” or “blocked” energy, allowing it to flow more naturally through the body.
Most acupuncturists believe that illness and maladies are caused by the blockage of energy somewhere in the body, and releasing the block will ease symptoms and possibly cure the disease or disorder. Regardless of how acupuncture works, it has been scientifically proven that acupuncture does work. Through both clinical studies and patient testimonials, acupuncture has been shown to have a variety of health benefits!
1. Increased Feelings Of Energy And Wellness With Acupuncture
Regardless of the particular disorder the acupuncture patient is being treated for, the practice has been known to increase a person’s feelings of energy and wellness. Most patients report feeling especially “vitalized” after an acupuncture treatment, and have increased energy levels for a period of time following the appointment. Most patients also report having a feeling of overall “wellness,” which follows along with the mentality that acupuncture treats the person as a whole, not just a particular disease or symptom.
2. Prevention Of Many Illnesses And Disorders
Many people simply have the feeling of being “unwell,” even though they have no marked symptoms or diagnosed issues. Western medicine typically focuses on symptoms and a diagnosis in order to be treated, and many times patients will report various symptoms that lead to no definitive conclusion based on current Western medicine diagnoses.
However, many people receive acupuncture treatments without a current diagnosed medical condition or particular illness, and simply have feelings of being unwell. Acupuncture treats the person as a whole, and the health as a whole, and therefore after an appointment, patients will report an increased sense of wellness and a decrease in various unrelated symptoms. Regular acupuncture treatments can help stave off certain illnesses or disorders by keeping the channels of energy in the body open and flowing, and can help a patient to feel healthier, longer.
3. Emotional Balance And Mental Clarity
Acupuncture not only benefits the body, but it also benefits the mind. Patients who receive acupuncture treatments report feelings of relaxation, emotional balance and mental clarity. Treatments can help patients who suffer from mental issues such as depression, stress and anxiety feel more at peace, and can help them deal with life’s problems more effectively. Since many acupuncture points along the body have dual uses for both physical and emotional health, patients get both physical and mental benefits from a treatment.
4. Reduction In Chemotherapy Side Effects
Acupuncture is especially effective at battling the unpleasant (and often debilitating) side effects of radiation and chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute recognizes acupuncture as an effective treatment for chemotherapy and radiation side effects, following several studies reporting that treatment increased platelets (an important blood component that assists in clotting) and prevented decreased leukocytes (another important blood component that helps fight infection).
Chemotherapy and radiation is well known for causing drops in both platelet and leukocytes, to the point where many cancer patients require additional medication and injections to bring the levels back up. Acupuncture, however, is a safe alternative to managing this particular side effect. Many cancer patients also report that acupuncture is exceptionally effective at reducing the instances of nausea and vomiting following chemotherapy, helping cancer patients to manage their disease with a better quality of life.
5. Pain Control
Many people live with chronic pain daily, as a result of injury, surgeries or other issues like headaches and migraines. Often, traditional pain medication is not effective for chronic pain, or is not recommended due to the fact that it can be habit forming. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe opiate based pain medications for patients with chronic pain, because they are exceptionally habit forming and often do not provide complete pain relief, leading the patient to take more than originally prescribed for pain relief. For patients with chronic pain, seeking relief in pill form just doesn’t cut it.
Other forms of pain management must be utilized if the pain is considered long term. Acupuncture is an excellent form of pain relief, and many patients report that acupuncture treatments provide the type of lasting pain relief that traditional pain medication just cannot. Acupuncture is much safer than many opiate based pain medications, and can be used frequently to help manage chronic pain.
There are many, many more benefits to acupuncture that simply have to be experienced to be understood. Most people who try acupuncture find relief for whatever ails them, be it pain related, disease related, mental, or simply a general feeling of being unwell. Many people who have regular acupuncture treatments will never go back to solely being treated with Western medicine again, and acupuncture can actually be used in conjunction with traditional Western therapies. Talk with your doctor or a licensed acupuncturist to find out if acupuncture is right for you, and begin your journey of whole body healing!