In this day and age, many of us are becoming more dependent on medications. A band-aid relief to the pain that we suffer from every single day. But because of the side effects that these medications can possibly bring about, people are looking for other alternatives but without the side effects. Many are going back to traditional medications, especially acupuncture. If you are interested to know more about acupuncture, then you have come to the right place. Let us learn more about this traditional method, as well as the health conditions that it can treat.
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional medicine that involves the insertion of fine- hair-like needles into the skin. This is in conjunction with the 8 constitutional medicine and is used to treat different diseases, pain conditions, and other health disorders. Eastern philosophy suggests that an imbalance of energy or blood flow in the body can cause certain diseases. This is where acupuncture can help.
When the needle is inserted, it is placed along the specific points in our body that can improve the body’s vitality, restore its natural balance as well as the blood circulation. Acupuncture does not hurt. During the treatment, you might experience a mild tingling sensation, a little heaviness, and slight soreness and numbness along the skin channels as it is being stimulated.
Conditions Treated With Acupuncture
Through the years, acupuncture is proven to be successful in relieving stress, muscle tension, and also ease chronic pain like headaches. This can also help normalize any menstrual irregularities. If the conditions are resulting from an energy blockage, acupuncture can effectively encourage your body to naturally heal.
Here are other health conditions that acupuncture can treat:
- Allergies
- Chronic back problems
- Digestive disorder
- Infertility
- Knee pain
- Mood and depression
- Muscle Spasms and Pain
- Neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Skin problems
- Stress
Acupuncture – Is It Safe?
According to the National Institute of Health, acupuncture is considered as generally safe as long as this is performed by an experienced and well-trained practitioner. Sterile needles should be used during the process too. The good news is that the Food and Drug Administration is now regulating the acupuncture needles and classified as a medical device. This means that acupuncturists are required to use sterile and non-toxic needles that are labeled for single use only. However, the risk is still there.
Remember that it is very important that you choose a practitioner that you can trust as well as to a facility that is safe and reputable. Remember that serious side effects may occur when the non-sterile needles are used. According to experts, acupuncture should be considered as a complementary treatment method, something that you can try in addition to other methods for pain.
