Acupuncture is considered a holistic approach to curing disorders and discomfort in the body’s system. It is the Asian way of cleansing the body from these illnesses, working its way to clear the natural flow of energy inside the body, as they are weakened or blocked by certain conditions, whether physical or psychological.
In the 70’s, acupuncture treatment was considered subjective and undependable. But through a series of research and studies, it has thus been proven that acupuncture offers a very effective way of treating many kinds of illnesses, and it is now considered part of conventional medicine.
Acupuncture mainly works with the following results, whatever condition they may be:
- It provides energy, strength and vitality to a recovering patient.
- It works to boost the immune system.
- It eliminates the need to take painkillers or it eliminates the actual pain.
- Patients seem to recover faster as a result of continuous acupuncture sessions.
- Acupuncture was proven to improve the body’s circulation and in some cases, even reduce stress symptoms.
- It may be administered alongside clinical treatments without causing dangerous side-effects.
- It can be a form of preventive medicine, as some may undergo acupuncture without any particular ailment, but nevertheless, reaps the benefits of it.
Specific benefits include the following:
After Accident Treatment
As a therapy for patients who have been in accidents, it acts as a supplement to actual physical therapy and helps improve a patient’s physical trauma.
Angina
For patients who have a condition like Angina, acupuncture helps in reducing myocytes, a muscle cell that is found in the heart region.
Anxiety and Depression
Acupuncture may be a form of treatment for anxiety and depression. Studies have proven that people suffering from neurosis caused by these conditions have significantly improved their outlook. Sometimes, anxiety and depression may even cause insomnia and this too can be relieved by acupuncture.
Balance Disorder / Vertigo
People suffering from balance disorders resulting from whiplash injury have resulted in a high cure percentage rate when undergoing acupuncture. This result is higher than if treated by physiotherapy or medicine.
Blood Pressure Reduction
Studies have shown that acupuncture provides a hypo-aldosteronemic effect. This is a condition that affects most people who have high blood pressure. With acupuncture, polypeptides beta-endorphins that bring about pressure to the arteries are reduced.
Diabetes
Although, not yet definitively proven, acupuncture is regarded as a safer therapy for managing neuropathy experienced by people with diabetes.
Fatigue, Muscle and Joint Pains
Muscle joint pains are effectively relieved with acupuncture. Following the Asian techniques, people who are chronically fatigued will find that acupuncture not only lessens the pain, it also increases a person’s pain threshold. It also helps as an alternative, non-invasive treatment to joint pains (knee, arms, neck, shoulders and legs, as well as the back). It works to effectively reduce osteoarthritis, a condition felt in the knee, and epicondylitis, a condition otherwise known as tennis elbow.
Headache or Migraine
Attacks caused by headache or migraine are significantly reduced with acupuncture. Pressure points in important regions trigger a calming and soothing effect that removes the pain altogether.
Inflammation
Bacteria that cause inflammation and increased temperature to the body may be suppressed with acupuncture; thereby preventing any untoward and irritating swelling or tenderness.
Postdental Discomfort
Dental pain may be treated with acupuncture, rather than with analgesic.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
The decrease in use of painkillers by patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis was noted in a study conducted in the UK in the 2001. Patients have confirmed that pain was reduced remarkably by at least 75% that taking analgesic became unnecessary.
Rhinits and Asthma
It helps to control rhinitis and asthma, caused by allergy by building up a person’s immune system.
Stroke Rehabilitation
For long term results, acupuncture is recommended for stroke patients, whether they have chronic or acute paralysis. Some function can return to normal or may be improved in at least 4 months after acupuncture treatment is administered.
Weight Reduction
Obesity may be treated with full body acupuncture. It also results in a decrease in appetite which results to a loss in weight of about 5 kg.
Women Health Issues
For women, dysmenorrhoea becomes bearable for those who are undergoing acupuncture. It also helps alleviate PMS symptoms by modulating certain psychosomatic conditions. Urinary tract infection most common to women may also be prevented with regular acupuncture treatment.
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Your article is very informative for those who don’t understand the benefits of acupuncture. It is usually listed as an “alternative medicine” at the end of articles or web sites that diagnose symptoms. I heard about it helping shoulder pain and after physical therapy didn’t work, gave it a try. It’s amazing. It’s also a whole body approach, so I experienced other benefits, such as no asthma, better sleeping, less food cravings, apetite control, and others. I think people are afraid of the needles, but you don’t really feel them. Afterwards, you feel great. After all, it’s been around for a few thousand years.
Comment by Judy Gasperini — December 16, 2007 @ 5:12 pm