Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, but modern Western medicine is just now uncovering some surprisingly positive outcomes to this traditional Chinese medicine.
The basic overview of how acupuncture works is : thin needles are inserted into specific points of the body.
These acupoints, in traditional medicine are places where energy flow is commonly disrupted and the acupuncture needles help correct the imbalance of the flow.
In Western medicine, these points have been found to stimulate the central nervous system, connective tissues, and blood flow.
Acupuncture therapy as a complementary and alternative medicine can have some surprising effects on your overall health and quality of life. Here are some of the lesser known (though greatly beneficial) health conditions that can be treated with regular acupuncture sessions:
1) Hot flashes: a controlled trial studying acupuncture and the effects of menopause revealed that regular acupuncture sessions could help ease hot flashes. Those who received acupuncture therapy during the study saw a decrease in vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes, and an increase in the quality of sleep and wellness. It took only three visits for participants to begin to experience the benefits of acupuncture therapy.
In another study, which was a systematic review and meta-analysis done in 2018, results also revealed a decline in hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms after acupuncture therapy.
A third study showed that acupuncture can hep relieve hot flashes in women who had been diagnosed with hot flashes and were receiving hormonal treatment.
2) Cancer treatment side effects. A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that acupuncture lessened fatigue associated with cancer treatments and has been shown to lessen nausea and pain associated with treatment.
3) Migraines. Controlled trials revealed that acupuncture was a beneficial treatment when it came to acute migraine attacks. It was as effective in decreasing the duration of migraine attacks as some prescription medications…but without harmful effects. Shoulder and lower back pains can also be relieved using acupuncture.
4)Osteoarthritis Acupuncture is an effective way to deal with the chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis. A review of controlled trials showed that it reduced pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee.
Another systematic review revealed that it reduced pain in peripheral joint osteoarthritis. One of the reasons that acupuncture is effective in pain management is that it releases endorphins — the body’s natural painkiller.
5)Mental health. Integrative medicine has been incorporating acupuncture in order to lessen the effects of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
When patients received antidepressants and had regular acupuncture sessions, they reported lower anxiety than those who received antidepressants alone.
A meta-analysis of 29 studies also showed that acupuncture therapy could lower the severity of depression.
6) Asthma. A study available on the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed that acupuncture is an effective way to manage asthma. A review of studies showed that acupuncture therapy reduces inflammatory cells which helps relieve chronic asthma.
In addition, acupuncture also regulates the immune system and other factors that could prevent or reduce asthma attacks.
7) Infertility. Some studies have shown that acupuncture can help treat infertility in men and women, however others have shown inconclusive results.
Overall, a meta-analysis in 2020 concluded that more research is needed, but there was evidence of potential benefits in seeking acupuncture treatment for infertility.
Dr. Anne (The Top 10 Benefits of Acupuncture) lists 10 benefits of acupuncture: 1) Pain relief; 2) Stress reduction; 3) Improved digestion. For persons who are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and constipation, acupuncture can help them.
Acupuncture activates the opposing parasympathetic nervous system which initiates the ‘rest and digest’ response;
4)Boosted immune system. Studies have shown that acupuncture can help boost the immune system by increasing the production of red and white blood cells —-this can help the body fight off infections and illnesses more effectively.
Conversely, acupuncture can also play a role in reducing inflammation and modulate an overactive immune system.
5) Insomnia. Acupuncture can alter the brain’s mood chemistry thus reducing the serotonin levels and increasing endorphins and neuropeptide Y levels, which improve sleep; 6) Improved fertility. Acupuncture has been used for centuries to treat fertility issues in both men and women and has gained popularity as part of integrated care to prepare and support both natural fertility and In Vitro Fertilization; 7) Allergy relief. Acupuncture has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. By targeting specific points on the body acupuncture can help regulate the immune systems and reduce inflammation, leading to fewer allergy symptoms; 8) Improved mental clarity. Acupuncture has been shown to have a positive effect on cognitive function, improving memory, concentration, and mental clarity; 9) Hormonal balance. Hormonal imbalances can lead to a variety of health issues, including irregular periods, mood swings, and weight gain.
In patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, acupuncture has shown to normalise insulin insensitivity and help balance reproductive hormones and normalise ovulation; 10) Increased energy. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture can help improve circulation and promote the production of energy-boosting hormones, leading to increased vitality and stamina.
So my dear friends, feel better, live better — book your acupuncture session today!
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Author’s email: nptayko@gmail.com
