All About Acupuncture
Acupuncture has become a popular therapy for those experiencing a myriad of health symptoms. It combines well with other body and brain work from Posture Massage and can be a catalyst for improving your health!
What is acupuncture?
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine:
Acupuncture is part of the ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM is a system of healthcare that has evolved over thousands of years to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. TCM believes that the body's vital energy, called qi (pronounced chi), flows along specific channels or meridians. If the qi is balanced then the person has spiritual, emotional, and physical health. But when the qi isn't in balance, disease may occur. Qi can be blocked, causing unbalance between the yin and yang. This refers to two opposite but connected principles in Chinese philosophy TCM uses many approaches to create harmony between yin and yang and restore correct flow of energy through the meridians. One of these approaches is acupuncture. Acupuncturists believe the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points. They are linked through the various meridians. The use of acupuncture on certain points within the meridians is believed to improve the flow of blocked or stagnant qi. Acupuncture can unblock these meridians. This restores movement of qi and improves health.
The actual practice of acupuncture includes placing thin needles into the skin on certain points of a meridian. These are then activated by the provider's hands or through electrical stimulation. Studies have shown that acupuncture works well for many conditions. These are discussed in more detail below.
What does acupuncture feel like?
Acupuncture is done using hair-thin needles. Most people report feeling little pain as the needle is put into certain points. Needles are only inserted to a point that causes a feeling of pressure or ache. Needles may be heated during the treatment. Mild electric current may also be applied to the needles. Some people say acupuncture makes them feel energized. Others say they feel relaxed.
How does acupuncture affect the body?
Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. They may promote physical and emotional well-being. This combined with lymphatic drainage, bodywork and brain work, can be a powerful combination for your health!
Studies have shown that acupuncture is effective alone or when used with conventional therapies to treat these conditions:
- Upset stomach (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
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Asthma
- It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.
What conditions may be helped by acupuncture?
Many people in the U.S. get acupuncture treatment to ease long-term (chronic) pain. This includes arthritis and low back pain. But acupuncture has other uses around the world. Conditions that may be helped by acupuncture include:
Digestive:
- Gastritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Hepatitis
- Hemorrhoids
Emotional:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Neurosis
Eye-Ear-Throat:
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
Gynecological:
- Menstrual pain
- Infertility
Musculoskeletal:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Muscle cramping
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
Neurological:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction
- Parkinson's disease
- Postoperative pain
- Stroke
Respiratory:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Bronchitis
Miscellaneous:
- Irritable bladder
- Prostatitis
- Male infertility
- Some forms of impotence
- Addiction
My Experience With Acupuncture
Although I am not an acupuncturist, I get acupuncture done frequently, especially when I know my nervous system is struggling. Acupuncture therapies combined with the therapies/services offered at Posture Massage combine well to boost your health or get your body and brain back on track faster.
Remember our bodies are a combination of complex systems including an electrical system (nervous system) and our drainage system (lymphatic system) and many others. These systems do not operate in isolation inside our bodies. Any help we can give one can also help the rest of our bodies and brains.
I welcome discussions and chit chats about acupuncture therapy! I even have acupuncturists that I would recommend if you are looking to try it out!
