By - June 7, 2021
Categories: General
Western medicine has taken a long time to come around to the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but studies are now starting to show just how effective treatments like acupuncture can be!
How does acupuncture work?
I know what you’re thinking; how can sticking needles into my face treat my allergies or high blood pressure? You may be surprised to learn that acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of healing in the world. The human body has over 350 acupuncture points that connect meridians (pathways for energy and blood flow). By inserting these hair-thin needles, I’m able to redirect and improve the flow of your life energy (Qi), thereby improving your health.
Because of the natural flow of qi, the acupuncture points that affect different organs may not actually be located near those organs. Think of a river that gets dammed – to get the mill downstream working again, we have to unblock the river upstream. By getting really specific about your symptoms, I can focus into the acupuncture points where your energy is not flowing properly. So, what conditions can acupuncture treat?
Cold & Flu
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to improve immune function. This immune stimulation can prevent colds and flus from taking hold (if you’re getting regular treatments), and can shorten the duration of the cold if we catch it early enough (especially if we combine your treatment with Chinese herbs).
Chronic Pain
Study after study has shown that acupuncture is effective in treating chronic pain conditions – especially back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, knee pain, and headaches. And it does it without the side effects of traditional pain management! One study even found that 32% of people taking opioids for pain were able to cut back on their medications with the addition of acupuncture. In a country in the middle of an opioid crisis, this seems pretty important! And imagine if the practitioner were allowed to treat the underlying causes of the pain as well!
Arthritis
Arthritis causes painful inflammation in your joints that can truly interfere in your daily life. Research shows that inserting an acupuncture needle induces the production of cortisol – a hormone that helps control inflammation. There is also evidence that a well-placed needle can set of a cascade of pain-relieving hormones and neurotransmitters. So schedule your appointment and get moving again!
High Blood Pressure
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing 1 in 4 deaths. High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease, but again, acupuncture to the rescue! Through acupuncture, I can help you to reduce your blood pressure and increase the oxygen that makes it to your heart!
Stress & Anxiety
Acupuncture has the amazing ability to regulate the release of adrenaline (the chemical in our bodies that makes hearts pound and blood pressure soar). With the level of stress that we’re all walking around with on any average day, we typically have waaaaaaaaay too much adrenaline flowing through our bodies. If we regulate that production, then you can stay calm and collected through your day. Not to mention the general relaxation benefits that come from taking 15 minutes during your session to unplug and focus on your breathing!
Fatigue
Our bodies rely on balance to function properly, but stress and poor habits can easily get us all out of whack. Acupuncture can bring your yin and yang energies back into balance to relieve symptoms such as extreme exhaustion, foggy head, and cognitive impairment. Depending on your symptoms, I can identify the location of your imbalance (spleen-pancreas, lung, blood, yang), which can in turn relieve other symptoms!
Insomnia
There is a wide variety of conditions that can cause insomnia, but the most common causes are related to emotional issues like anxiety, depressions or PTSD, side-effects and reactions to medications, alcohol, caffeine, and even some foods. Once we figure out the root cause of your insomnia, you’ll be amazed at how quickly acupuncture can help. In fact, it’s not uncommon for clients to fall asleep during their treatment, thanks to acupuncture’s ability to regulate the nervous system!
Reproductive Issues
Acupuncture is often advised starting 3 months before beginning fertility treatments such as IVF or IUI, but it’s not just used for reproduction. Treatment can also aid with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian reserve, sperm quality, and hormone balance.
Sports Recovery
By increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation, acupuncture can help to optimize the body’s natural healing process, helping to relax tight muscles and reduce overall muscle fatigue and soreness. This translates to shorter recovery times and better sports performance!
Skin Issues
You’ve probably heard of the health benefits of acupunctures (like in the parts of the article you’ve already read), but you might be surprised to learn acupuncture can be a great alternative to botox! That’s right, even holistic practitioners worry about their skin. Even better? Facial acupuncture addresses the skin’s overall health (not just your wrinkles). The needles stimulate your lymphatic and circulatory systems. This results in an increase in nutrients and oxygen delivered to your skin which helps to even out your complexion and promote your skin’s glow, while also stimulating collagen production to minimize fine lines.
Emotional Imbalances
In Western cultures, we like to think that our organs and our emotions are completely separate, but in Traditional Chinese medicine, we know better. There are direct correspondences between organ function and emotional health, and unblocking those energy channels can have profound effects on our well-being. Studies also show that acupuncture stimulates serotonin and norepinephrine production, as well as the emotional processing areas of the brain. Translation – it helps you feel better!
Digestive Disorders
Like so many areas of our health, our digestion is connected to more than just our gut. By balancing the gut-brain axis and the nervous system, I can help you get relief from symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, IBS, Crohn’s disease, acid reflux, and ulcerative colitis. When combined with herbal medicine, we can get your gut running like a well-oiled machine!
Headaches & Migraines
It’s pretty common knowledge that migraines can knock you on your butt. But even regular headaches can seriously disrupt your day. Acupuncture can stimulate your body to release hormones (such as those happy happy endorphins) into your system. This immune and circulatory system stimulation can help relieve migraines and the tension headaches that are so common these days.
Women’s Health
Once you reach womanhood, it can feel like our bodies turn against us. Our cycles come complete with cramps, headaches, fatigue…. And menopause? Try hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, heart palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Through a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine, I can help you level out those hormones and alleviate those symptoms.
Is acupuncture right for me?
Probably 😉 Even if your condition (or symptoms) aren’t listed here, there’s a chance that Traditional Chinese Medicine can help you out. Contact me for an evaluation, and we can get you feeling awesome!
