We live in a consistently busy society, and, as of late, there has been an increase in the help that alternative medicine can offer to people.
For example, treatments for physical and mental health issues are now finding that instead of less of a “one size fits all” approach, supportive therapies and more alternative methods can help treat and prevent pain and symptoms.
One of those methods is acupuncture, an ancient Chinese method involving the use of needles and pressure points to help balance the body’s systems.
In many cases, acupuncture’s physical and mental benefits have been proven by science to be at least as effective as pharmaceutical drugs.
With self-care and mental health a significant part of your overall physical health, more people have started to understand that treating mental issues like depression and anxiety helps treat their needs.
By restoring the internal functionality of the body, acupuncture can help reduce and even eliminate symptoms both mentally and physically.
So, what sort of benefits can you expect if you decide to try acupuncture? More widespread acceptance and practice demonstrate numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Table of Contents: The Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Acupuncture
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a method of repairing imbalances within the body and has been used for thousands of years. Tiny needles are placed strategically around your body in different areas, helping to stimulate the nervous system and its relationship with organs and their functions.
Acupuncture has been recognized for enhancing wellness, finding relief from chronic pain, preventing injuries, and improving performance. Each needle is placed in a specific spot within the body that will help to revitalize energy flow.
The Physical Benefits of Acupuncture
When we suffer a physical ailment, we look to our doctor to prescribe medication or even offer a procedure or surgery that can fix the problem. But on the other hand, acupuncture provides an opportunity to improve your physical health with a non-invasive approach.
The expert doctors at WTHN acupuncture specify that a qualified acupuncture doctor goes beyond the scope of traditional medicine to create a unique and customized treatment plan for each patient.
But, of course, your health plan doesn’t just stop at acupuncture, either; the road to better health would involve exploring every possible root cause, including your lifestyle habits and diet.
The goal is to get all of the organs within the body functioning correctly to get longevity with your healing. Medications and procedures are sometimes only temporary relief of symptoms and pain and don’t always last if other changes within your life do not happen.
Acupuncture helps the following physical ailments:
- Infertility
- Allergies
- Chronic pain and joint pain
- Digestive issues
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Headaches/migraines
- Insomnia/fatigue
- Hormonal imbalance
For example, if you have heartburn or indigestion due to stomach issues, a traditional doctor may prescribe antacids or heartburn medication to treat it. However, that only treats the symptom and does not locate the actual problem.
Acupuncture can also help to stimulate what is called the “rest and digest” response, putting you in a more relaxed state and allowing the blood flow to your digestive tract to increase.
The salivary gland is then stimulated, which helps to make more digestive enzymes and improves your intestinal activity. Common digestive concerns acupuncture can treat constipation, diarrhoea, bloating, gas, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and more.
The Mental Health Benefits of Acupuncture
There are millions of people worldwide who deal with anxiety and mental health disorders. Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious can lead to being more isolated and affect your daily activities. Even something as simple as getting out of bed in the morning can be challenging.
A traditional doctor would usually prescribe therapy and medication to help cope with the hormonal imbalance and increased feelings of depression. But, unfortunately, there are multiple side effects with drugs, and sometimes they can make you feel just as bad, or sometimes worse.
In addition, they can create other problems for people, including lack of energy, sleep disorders, and excessive weight gain.
However, scientific evidence has shown that acupuncture can be a natural, safe, and effective course of treatment for mental issues. For example, the Journal of Endocrinology published a study on acupuncture and its effect on those feeling stressed and anxious. The result demonstrated that acupuncture slows down the body’s production of stress hormones.
Other symptoms of stress such as headaches, insomnia, and irritability can occur. In addition, our society’s focus on having a busy lifestyle leads to significant burnout and stress.
Acupuncture provides people with a way to help manage their stress, take time for themselves, relax and feel more centred.
Acupuncture FAQs
Do acupuncture needles hurt?
The needles utilized in acupuncture are extremely thin, and patients do not usually feel much when they are inserted into the skin. If you are concerned about the size or the idea of a needle, almost 30 acupuncture needles would fit into just one hypodermic needle.
What do I do during the acupuncture procedure?
During acupuncture, listen to the doctor. Often, you simply need to try and relax, do some deep breathing exercises, or in some cases, even take a nap.
How can I expect to feel after an acupuncture treatment?
Almost all patients of acupuncture report feelings of relaxation and rejuvenation after just one session! Take a journal, record how you feel going into the treatment, and note how you feel immediately afterwards. This way, you can track the differences you feel with each treatment.
Conclusion: Consider Acupuncture Treatments
For those interested in taking control of your mental and physical health and creating lasting changes within their lifestyle to improve their overall well-being, acupuncture is worth considering. The benefits of acupuncture to health have been proven effective by science and multiple patient testimonies.
Moreover, if you have tried multiple ways to resolve your current medical issues to no avail, you could try seeking a qualified and licensed acupuncturist and see if acupuncture works for you.
Since it’s a non-invasive and natural approach, what do you have to lose?
