With alternative therapies on the rise, health care treatments such as chiropractic and acupuncture are becoming a popular topic of discussion.
To help you join the conversation and become better informed on the growing health care topic, in this blog, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions regarding acupuncture to answer! Read on to find out more about acupuncture and how it may be relevant to your own health.
What is acupuncture and how does it help?
Acupuncture is a form of alternative body-based therapy which involves the stimulation of your central nervous system. Through the insertion of fine needles into acupuncture points of the body, chemicals may be released into the muscles, spinal cord and brain.
Such chemicals may stimulate your central nervous system and encourage your body’s natural healing abilities into action. Acupuncture may help to improve your physical and emotional well being.
Where does acupuncture originate from?
Acupuncture is generally believed to have originated from China. It was first recorded a few hundred years before the Common Era. Acupuncture is an ancient health care practice and is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
What is acupuncture used for?
Acupuncture may be used to help patients improve their overall wellness, as well as manage their stress. Acupuncture may also be used to treat pain.
How does acupuncture work for pain?
As mentioned previously, acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into particular points in the body to stimulate chemical production.
One of the chemicals that may be produced by acupuncture includes endorphins, which is the body’s natural pain-killing chemical. Acupuncture may also treat pain by affecting the part of the brain responsible for serotonin production, causing positive changes in your mood.
Acupuncture may also be used as a chronic pain management strategy, as cited by the ACI’s (Agency for Clinical Innovation) Pain Management Network. Acupuncture is considered a Complementary Alternative Medical (CAM) therapy and may be used in addition to, or instead of, traditional medical treatment for chronic pain. Acupuncture is classified as a manipulative body based method and may help with chronic pain management.
Is acupuncture painful?
Acupuncture treatment may be painful for some patients as it may cause temporary soreness in the body. However, acupuncture usually does not cause discomfort nor pain.
When is acupuncture recommended?
Due to the lack of scientific research surrounding the effects of acupuncture on health, acupuncture is never recommended as a health care method by doctors and health professionals practising traditional western medicine.
However, before trialing acupuncture, you should still visit a health practitioner for their advice and concerns regarding the potential impact of acupuncture on your health. You will also need to consult with a qualified acupuncturist and TCM practitioner before undergoing the health care treatment.
Be sure to do your research and find answers to your own questions regarding acupuncture before booking a session yourself. Acupuncture has its benefits and risks and it is important that you weigh such factors up in consideration of your health.
