The number one reason that people use acupuncture is to relieve pain, but you can use this form of treatment for other health conditions. You are able to use it by itself or in combination with other treatments. Numerous studies have shown that the use of acupuncture has relieved nausea and vomiting that chemotherapy patients experience as well as for post surgery pain.
Acupuncture can relieve:
- Headaches-migraines which are painful, throbbing headaches that last from 4 to 72 hours. If you’ve ever experienced a migraine then you know that they can be so painful that you are not able to follow your normal routine or every day activities.
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal tunal
- Asthma
- Toothache and gum problems
- Reducing labor pain
- Tension, stress, and emotional conditions
Most acupuncturists espouse the traditional Chinese view of health and disease and consider acupuncture, herbal medicine, and related practices to be valid approaches to the full gamut of disease. Others reject the traditional approach and merely claim that acupuncture offers a simple way to achieve pain relief. The diagnostic process used by TCM practitioners may include questioning (medical history, lifestyle), observations (skin, tongue, color), listening (breathing sounds), and pulse-taking. Six pulse aspects said to correlate with body organs or functions are checked on each wrist to determine which meridians are “deficient” in chi. (Medical science recognizes only one pulse, corresponding to the heartbeat, which can be felt in the wrist, neck, feet, and various other places.) Some acupuncturists state that the electrical properties of the body may become imbalanced weeks or even months before symptoms occur. These practitioners claim that acupuncture can be used to treat conditions when the patient just “doesn’t feel right,” even though no disease is apparent.
Is Acupuncture Safe
Acupuncture is safe when it’s done by a certified acupuncturist. Sterilized or disposable needles must be used to minimize the risk of infection however today most acupuncturists use disposable needles. You can ask your physician or health care provider for an acupuncturist that they recommend.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments required depends on the condition and usually differ from person to person. Treatments can range from one to two a week for several months to fewer visits for minor health issues. Some problems can be resolved in as little as one or two visits.
Do the needles hurt?
Every person has a different threshold for pain. Some illnesses make you more sensitive to pain as well. But for the most part patients feel only minimal pain when the needles are first inserted; some feel absolutely no pain at all. There is no pain felt when the needles are in place. Some patients fall asleep during the session and leave more relaxed. Acupuncture needles are very thin, solid and made from stainless steel. The point is smooth which makes inserting it through the skin painless unlike injections or having your blood drawn. The risk of bruising and skin irritation is minimal.
Advantages of Acupuncture
There are numerous advantages of acupuncture. You don’t need to take medication or require any form of surgery for it to work. It increases your body’s energy level. It helps you to feel better and relieves pain. The treatments are individually customized to meet each patient’s needs. Acupuncture can also be used for health maintenance with as little as four sessions a year.
