Understanding acupuncture and how it can help you!

What is acupuncture?

It’s that the time of the year when many people are developing seasonal colds or viruses. The weather has already started to get colder and you are likely considering taking precautions or at least finding an alternative method of treating impending illnesses or colds. If you are, we recommend the treatment of acupuncture.

The practice of acupuncture is conducted by puncturing the skin with very thin needles at certain anatomical points in the body. This might sound dangerous, but virtually in all cases it’s safe. Acupuncture helps to relieve certain symptoms that are related to particular diseases. The acupuncture points or anatomical points are believed to have specific electrical properties that affect chemical neurotransmitters within the body.

The practice of acupuncture is one of the oldest and is the one of the most commonly used medical practices in the world. It originated in China well over 2,500 years ago and since then it has spread to many parts of the world.
According to the well-established theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points, which are connected via pathways, or meridians. These particular pathways produce an energy flow, which is known as chi. This energy flows through the body and is believed to be responsible for overall health. When the chi is disrupted it can cause diseases. Acupuncture is used to correct these imbalances, while improving the flow of chi and helping one to develop a healthy mind and body.

The theories of acupuncture are based on extensive laboratory research, and are becoming widely known and accepted by the medical and scientific community. In addition, controlled studies in which external variables have been controlled have shown evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture for certain conditions, which I will go more in detail latter on.

What is an acupuncture treatment like?
The needles that are used during acupuncture are metallic, solid, and are very thin. The feelings and sensations that are associated with acupuncture differ and vary depending on the individual. However, most feel very little pain as the needles are inserted. The needles are inserted only to a point that produces a sensation of pressure or ache. At times, during an acupuncture treatment the needles may be heated or in other occasions a mild electric current may be applied to the needles. For some people, they report feeling energized, while others say they feel relaxed and at peace.

How does acupuncture affect the body physiologically?
There have been numerous studies documented on the physiological effects of acupuncture, but still it is not fully understood how the treatment actually works.
In theory, acupuncture points are thought to stimulate the central nervous system, which releases certain chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. It’s believed that these chemicals either alter the experience of pain or release other chemicals that influence the body's self-regulating systems. The body's natural healing abilities may be stimulated by these biochemical changes, which then promotes physical and emotional well-being.
The health benefits of acupuncture supported by the National Institutes of Health

Clinical studies presented by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that acupuncture is an effective treatment for nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy, as well as for dental pain after surgery.

The NIH also has found that acupuncture is useful by itself, or in conjunction with conventional therapies, to treat addiction, headaches, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, osteoarthritis, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, and to assist in stroke rehabilitation.

Other health benefits of acupuncture include reduced stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Also, many people have reported feeling more energized and focused and a better overall well-being.

To conclude, I described that acupuncture is a treatment that is used by inserting very thin needles into specific anatomical points in the body. It is believed to function by affecting certain chemicals in the body that stimulate the body’s natural healing properties. I hope you now have a better understanding of acupuncture and how it can benefit you.