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Acupuncture

An Ancient Practice for a Healthier You!

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By Leslie Byrne

For thousands of years, practitioners have been using forms of acupuncture to help people manage acute and chronic pain and disease. Of course, the past couple of centuries have produced an incredible number of life-changing and life-saving procedures, medicines, and treatment techniques for which we are all grateful. You have to admit, though—any technique that has stood the test of time the way that acupuncture has deserves a second look from even the most modern people!

Acupuncture is a holistic, non-invasive procedure that involves very thin needles placed at strategic points on the body. The technique is currently an important part of traditional Chinese medicine practiced every day. In Western medicine, the technique is used somewhat differently.

In traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is used to balance the energy or life force, known as chi, that flows through pathways or meridians in the body. The needles are inserted at specific points along the body’s meridians. Originally, needles were made of stone or bone; throughout the years, the needles have been made of bronze, gold, and silver. Today, needles are made of stainless steel. In traditional Chinese medicine, this re-balancing is used most commonly to treat pain.

Many Western acupuncturists turn to acupuncture to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissue to boost the body’s natural ability to manage pain. It is also used for overall wellness and even stress management.

Acupuncture is used to relieve chronic pain and to address a wide variety of painful issues such as arthritis, headaches, migraines, knee pain, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries. Patients undergoing cancer treatment may seek acupuncture to address the troublesome side effects of treatment. Women going through menopause may choose acupuncture to minimize the discomfort of hot flashes. Other people use acupuncture to help with immune system issues, irritable bowel syndrome, or pain from overuse or repetitive strain disorders.

When needles are placed on any of the 14 major meridians, or energy channels, they stimulate the body to react, even if you can’t feel the needle. This reaction releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

A first visit to an acupuncturist may be a little different than what you’ve experienced at other health care appointments. First, you will be asked about your health history, which is a pretty standard practice. Next comes something you may not have expected:

The practitioner will examine your tongue, evaluating its shape, color, and coating. This is a part of diagnosis in traditional Chinese medicine.

During the procedure itself, the patient lies down while the needles are strategically placed along specific meridian points. The needles used are sterile and as thin as a hair. Many patients report that they do not feel anything when the needles are inserted. Some report feeling a slight pinch or a dull ache or tingling. The needles are left in for five to 30 minutes.

How frequently someone needs acupuncture treatment varies from person to person and depends on the issue being treated. Some people report immediate relief, while others need several visits over several months. Some, but not all, insurance plans cover acupuncture, so it is smart to check with your carrier and your practitioner beforehand. Acupuncture can be performed on someone as young as three months old, but most patients are adults.

If you think acupuncture is right for you, look for a board-certified, licensed acupuncturist. As you would with any new health practitioner, ask plenty of questions! Where were they trained? How extensive was their training? How many years have they been in practice? What experience do they have in treating your specific ailment?

If you are having trouble finding an experienced acupuncturist in your area, consider working with a chiropractor who has obtained the necessary training and certification to offer acupuncture as another form of treatment. This pairing is actually quite common. Although acupuncture and chiropractic are very different types of treatment, they are both forms of care that are non-invasive, drugfree, and promote whole-body healing while targeting specific injuries.

Some people even find advantage in combining the two. Having an acupuncture treatment before a chiropractic adjustment can reduce inflammation and leave the muscles more relaxed, helping to provide a better response to the chiropractic treatment. Acupuncture can also help patients feel better and ease chronic pain between chiropractic treatments.

For anyone looking to reduce chronic pain or stress or looking for a more holistic and non-invasive way to promote good health, maybe it’s time to try something that is not new at all but may be new to you! Become one of the countless people who have benefitted from acupuncture over the last 2,000 years. Find a practitioner today!

Sources for this article included: nyacuhealth. com, mayoclinic.org, my.clevelandclinic.org, and medschool.ucsd.edu.

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