Acupuncture is a treatment method that has been around for over 3000 years. The fact that it is currently accepted as a mainstream alternative to conventional treatments is a testament to its effectiveness. As early as 1997, the U.S National Institute of Health acknowledged its safety and efficacy and publicized its documented evidence. It is one of the most popular holistic approaches to treatment with no synthetic medication and the associated adverse effects.

Acupuncture helps in the treatment and management of various health conditions, but the most popular one is acupuncture for pain. Some of the other conditions treated by acupuncture include the one below, which has been identified by the WHO as being treated or managed effectively by acupuncture.

· Allergies

· High and low blood pressure

· Chemotherapy treatment symptoms like vomiting and nausea

· Asthma

· Coughs

· Ear infection

· Sore throat

· Lupus

· Constipation and stomach aches

· Urinary incontinence

· Numbness

It also helps with several skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rashes. It can also help with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, stress, irritability, and insomnia. The treatment can also help with lifestyle health conditions, including alcoholism, drug, and smoking addiction.

Acupuncture for pain treatment also covers a wide range of conditions and sources of the pain from short term pain to chronic pain. These conditions include;

· Arthritis and tendonitis

· Lower and upper back pain

· Pain from migraines and other headaches

· Post-surgical pain

· Muscle spasms and tremors

· Fibromyalgia

· Neurological pain

· Menopause pain

· PMS pain

· Hemorrhoids

Acupuncture is also effective and useful for athletes and those who suffer from sports injuries. Pain conditions form sports where acupuncture helps include elbow injuries, sprains and strains, splints, and other injuries. By relieving the pain, the treatment offers increased mobility and aids faster recovery.

Philosophy behind acupuncture

Acupuncture is based on the ancient oriental philosophy that the body’s health is based on the smooth flow of the life-giving force known as Qi. Any imbalance results in illness and pain, and, to restore the proper balance, the acupuncturist focuses on the pathways through which the Qi flows. Access is possible through 350 acupuncture points in the body, and needles are inserted in proper combinations depending on the medical condition.

While scientific proof is not conclusively given for how acupuncture works, experts have used neuroscience to explain that the meridians are a location where muscles, nerves, and connective tissue can be stimulated. The stimulation increases blood flow in the affected areas and triggers the action of the body’s pain killers and restorative agents.

Acupuncture offers several benefits to the treatment for pain including;

1. It is a safe procedure when done by a professional

2. Has few light side-effects

3. It can safely and effectively be used along with other treatments.

4. It works for a variety of conditions.

5. It helps patients who cannot use drugs.

If you are looking to manage any of these or other health conditions, your best port of call is Acupuncture Continuum, a specialist center in oriental medicine. We have been serving San Diego and Encinitas since 1996, and the owner Ms. Sulgar has a Masters in Oriental Medicine.

Not only do you benefit from our experience and expertise, but we also have one of the largest Chinese herbal apothecaries in the county. The experience and knowledge make us able to help patients with varied conditions. Call today for a free consultation and let us help you get better.

Ask those who swear by Acupuncture how the technique helps the body, and you be told that it triggers the flow of healing energy leading to a decrease in pain and a boost in mood.

Acupuncture is a holistic Chinese traditional technique of relieving pain. It involves carefully jamming special needles through the skin at specific points of the body known as acupoints.

Before getting to it, the acupuncturist will ask you some questions and assess your condition. They then carefully insert the needles and use some stimulation techniques to enhance the healing process. Manual massage, application of topical herbal medicines, heat therapy, pressure, and electrical stimulation are the most commonly used techniques. The needles stay on between 5-30 minutes before being removed. Depending on your condition, you may need one to three acupuncture treatments for positive results.

Benefits of Acupuncture.

Acupuncture boosts your body’s functions triggering the release of natural anesthetics leading to self-healing. How? When the needles are jammed into your skin, they stimulate the connective tissue and nerves releasing nitric oxide, which in turn increases the flow of blood and triggers the release of therapeutic hormones.

But it is not a painful procedure at all. Except for the mild stinging sensation, you are going to feel as each needle pierce your skin, the rest of the procedure is quite healing; expect a rush in warm and cooling sensations leading to a decrease in pain and improvement in mood.

Acupuncture also helps to restore homeostasis; did you experience a rush in warm and cooling sensation? Yes, that is your homeostatic system working. Before, it was a bit wacky. Chemicals and toxins in your body were wrecking all manner of havoc, but during acupuncture, the increase in blood flow means blood sugar level is restored, hormones are balanced, toxins are carried to eliminating organs, and so on.

Conditions that may be managed using Acupuncture

An imbalance in the homeostatic system leads to weariness, aging, increase in illnesses, among others. By focusing on restoring this system, Acupuncture proves to be an efficient, holistic healing process that focuses on the whole body, including the mental. Acupuncture, therefore, seems to be the answer to almost everything, from slowing down the aging process to managing chronic pain, treating insomnia, infertility and even being used in combination with traditional weight loss methods, Acupuncture is now widely appreciated.

Among the conditions the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) says can surely be helped with Acupuncture include acupuncture chronic anxiety, migraines, neck, joint, knee and lower back pain, low and high blood pressure, cramps, and osteoarthritis among others.

Before booking a session with an acupuncturist, though, keep in mind that there are risks involved. If you have a bleeding disorder, this is not for you. Other risks involve the use of unsterile needles and wrong insertion procedures. Always seek the services of a qualified, licensed, and experienced acupuncturist.

For safe, powerful, healing acupuncture sessions, visit our Acupuncture Continuum center in Encinitas. Our team of experienced holistic healers guarantees positive results just after a few sessions.

Acupuncture, the controversial Chinese traditional technique of treating pain, most people know it just involves the insertion of specialized needles through the skin at strategic points of the body to target �chi’ points, and that is about the limit of their knowledge

Acupuncture is both an art and science in practice, and it is beyond just using needles. It requires an in-depth understanding of how the body works and whole sections of the skin. The needles stimulate these sections by accurately targeting specific parts of the skin rich in nerves, which in turn trigger respective body functions in glands, tissues, and organs that result in the required effect.

In the study, 25 people were treated to the acupuncture technique, and the biological effect of the procedure was measured. The results were that at the pints where needles were inserted, more nitric oxide was released into the bloodstream increasing blood flow and stimulating the production of natural anesthetics, which lead to either cooling or warm sensations.

These warm or cooling sensations must be the reason some holistic medicine enthusiasts swear by acupuncture that it allows the ‘chi’ to flow well to the right places leading to desirable physical and psychological health.

Increasingly, acupuncture is used to treat migraines and tension headaches. According to the National Center for the Complementary and Integrative

Health, acupuncture can be used to manage the following:

• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Low back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Migraines
• Low and high blood pressure
• Cramps
• Facial pain
• Nausea and vomiting

The efficacy of acupuncture depends on how the procedure is performed. During an acupuncture session, a combination of very thin, disposable, sterile needles are used. You want to work with the best healer for your own safety.

The acupuncturist will first examine and assess your condition then safely insert very thin, sterile needles to stimulate connective tissues, nerves, and muscles. To enhance the effects of the procedure, pressure, electrical, or heat stimulation may be used.

Don’t be scared by the mention of needles. Acupuncture is a relatively painless procedure. The only sensations are the brief tingling or stinging feeling as the needles get inserted and a dissipating dull ache once the needle is in position. And that is all about acupuncture.

The needles are left in place for 5 to 30 minutes to stimulate blood flow and the release of natural anesthetics. The number of acupuncture sessions needed depends on how chronic the condition is. You may need one to three treatment sessions for positive results.

Before booking an acupuncture treatment, though, keep in mind that like all therapies, acupuncture, too, has risks. Acupuncture may be dangerous to patients with bleeding disorders, other dangers may arise in case unsterile needles are used, or insertion is not done correctly. Always ensure your acupuncturists is a licensed professional who knows what they are doing.

For your safe and healing acupuncture procedures, visit Acupuncture Continuum. We are a fully insured and licensed team of experienced holistic healers in Encinitas and San Diego. In just under 3 sessions, you are going to be reeling from how powerful and healing our acupuncture procedures are. Feel free to check past client testimonials on our website.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that has overtime gained global recognition from medical professionals as an effective therapy for pain and a host of other conditions. The WHO recognizes over 40 physical and mental health, which can be effectively treated by acupuncture. These range from musculoskeletal diseases and skin conditions to emotional issues and gynecological conditions. The right acupuncture San Diego specialist could be the answer to your painful conditions.

Acupuncture is both an art and science in practice, and it is beyond just using needles. It requires an in-depth understanding of how the body works and whole sections of the skin. The needles stimulate these sections by accurately targeting specific parts of the skin rich in nerves, which in turn trigger respective body functions in glands, tissues, and organs that result in the required effect.

Benefits of Acupuncture

Contrary to the picture portrayed the process is not painful nor uncomfortable and offers numerous benefits including the following;

Pain Management

Acupuncture is an excellent pain relief therapy for many conditions and has proven to be effective, whether in injury recovery or neurological conditions.

Non-invasive

It is a non-invasive procedure that results in fast recovery and places you at no risk of injury or pain associated with the treatment.

No Side Effects

Unlike other pain therapies, there are no side effects after the treatment, and it can be styled to suit a person’s unique needs and medical condition.

Safely Supplements Other Treatments

Acupuncture can be used safely with other drugs and therapies, supplementing them without any contraindication or negative effect.

What to look for in the best acupuncturist

You will need to be under the care of the best acupuncturist to reap maximum benefits from acupuncture and even use it as an alternative medicine.

Here is how to know you have such a specialist

Credentials

There is no going around the need for proper training and credentials. Acupuncture is a precision therapy, and each condition requires a specific approach. The right credentials show that at least the person treating you is knowledgeable in the treatment.

Experience and Expertise

Experience comes with years of practice, and with credentials and further training, it helps build expertise. These two help an acupuncturist perform the right diagnosis and prescribe the most effective approach to a patient.

Communication

Beyond their skills and expertise, and acupuncturist should communicate clearly and plainly to the patients. An essential part of this is listening and paying attention to the patients’ needs and concerns. Find an acupuncturist who seeks to understand you and also makes sure you comprehend the treatment process without being pushy or brushing off your worries.

Feedback and Reviews

You can gauge the suitability of an acupuncturist based on the kind of feedback you get from prior patients using referral sites, contacts from the specialists, social media pages, and other review sites.

Why choose Acupuncture Continuum for Your Services

If you are looking for the best acupuncture San Diego specialist, then Acupuncture Continuum is the right place for you. We have the necessary experience and expertise, providing acupuncture services since 1996. All the staff are certified professionals, and our acupuncturist is fully licensed and has a Masters in Oriental Medicine.

Our clinic also offers treatment for various conditions, including pain management, women’s health concerns, and facial rejuvenation. We also embrace oriental herbal medicines to provide excellent natural care. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us plan a treatment plan that will start your journey to relief.

Acupuncture is one of the oldest yet most effective treatments for an array of conditions and ailments. While the practice dates back hundreds of years ago, it was not until towards the tail end of the 20th Century that the method gained critical acclaim, especially from the medical and scientific fields.

Today, acupuncture is a widely recommended practice for various conditions and diseases. Some of the top uses of acupuncture include:

· Reliving dental pain
· Alleviating labor pains
· Helping fight headaches, migraines, and tension headaches
· Helps against respiratory conditions, such as allergic rhinitis
· Remedies low back pain
· Osteoarthritis
· Neck pain
· Menstrual cramps

How does acupuncture work?

While most people do know acupuncture involves needles, few actually understand the intricacies of the practice. While there is a lot to know about the practice of acupuncture, it can be easily broken down in an easy way to comprehend.

For instance, when you look at professional acupuncturists such as Acupuncture Continuum, they have a necessary yet comprehensive explanation of the practice. Basically, acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment approach used to treat and manage the aforementioned diseases and conditions.

Acupuncture involves using needles to trigger specific points of the skin with needles. The pinpoint accuracy with which the practice is carried out allows the needles to stimulate specific nerve-rich areas on the skin. In turn, this influences glands, organs, tissues, and various body functionalities.
Contrary to what most believe, acupuncture is neither an invasive procedure, nor it is necessarily a painful experience.

What are the benefits of acupuncture?

Acupuncture is regarded as one of the most effective treatments against pain and discomfort. Additionally, it is widely recommended by health professionals as an alternative or supplement to modern medicine. Some of the highly sought after acupuncture professionals, such as Acupuncture Continuum, come highly recommended in the field.

While you may be thinking about having an acupuncture therapy session, you may want to know and understand more about the benefits of acupuncture. Here are some of the top benefits you’ll experience in an acupuncture therapy session.

1. It is a safe and noninvasive procedure

As formerly mentioned, acupuncture is thought of as a practice where you get a ton of needles all over your body. Pop culture references have widely spread this myth.

The actual acupuncture practice is very far from what you would see in most movies. For start, it is a very safe and harmless procedure. The needles are designed to inflict little to no pain.

Moreover, you won’t always have your full body covered in needles, different procedures call for different styles and execution.

2. It is an effective pain remedy

If you look at the list of uses for acupuncture, you’ll notice a significant portion of the list revolves around different types of pain. This is because acupuncture is one of the most effective remedies of pain today.

Unlike most modern medicine and other treatment options, acupuncture does not have any of the raging side effects. This makes it one of the best and practical options for when you’re experiencing pain. Expert acupuncturists Acupuncture Continuum can help you identify the kind of acupuncture approach that would be best suited for any pain you’re experiencing.

3. It doesn’t interfere with other treatments

One of the reasons why acupuncture is widely recommended by health professionals -other than its efficacy rate, is it doesn’t interfere with other medications or procedures. You can continue with additional treatments while on acupuncture therapy and not have to worry about the two clashings.

Ultimately, acupuncture is one of the best alternative treatments available today. With the help of experts like Acupuncture Continuum, you can get to enjoy the benefits of the practice and rid yourself from any pain while subsequently improving your health.

A migraine is a moderate to severe headache that usually affects one side of the head. It can be triggered by things such as noise and light, and sometimes, it may cause nausea and vomiting.

Migraines are likely hereditary. In about 90 % of cases, the underlying cause is genetics. To put it simply, most people who suffer migraines get it from a family member. Unlike bacterial or viral illnesses, hereditary problems, like migraines, can be hard to deal with.

Migraines cannot be treated. They can only be prevented or managed. Most people use prophylactic drugs to reduce their frequency, and some resort to painkillers and anti-nausea pills to suppress the symptoms. It is an effective way to deal with the condition except for one part: the side effects.

Most pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, and prophylactics are no different. For the people who need these drugs, the side effects, which can include more headaches, are a necessary evil.

Some people opt for an alternative therapy to handle their migraines. Among the therapies that stand out is acupuncture, an ancient Chinese treatment that’s based on an unorthodox yet highly effective method of restoring the body’s natural balance.

Acupuncture – An Art and a Science

For thousands of years, acupuncture was a highly successful therapy to the people of ancient civilizations. It worked on the principle of Qi. Qi refers to the energy that constantly flows through our bodies. According to the traditional healers, this energy had a lot to do with our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

When Qi was blocked from flowing into a particular part of the body, it was bound to experience sickness and complications. Qi could be affected by tension and stress as well as spiritual and physical factors.

To remedy this, the ancient healers would insert long needles into specific points to aid in the flow of Qi, which was considered the life force. These needles were carefully stuck along the body in lines that were called meridians. The practice was said to cure everything from physical ailments to mental and spiritual issues.

Acupuncture today is recognized as a powerful homeopathic remedy for illnesses that are brought on by stress. One of them is migraines.

Acupuncture is Effective against Migraines

For those who suffer from migraines, but prefer not to take medication due to the side effects, acupuncture is a valid alternative.

Before you schedule a session, however, it is good to have a chat with a headache specialist (or your doctor) to understand whether it is a reasonable course of action for your case. Furthermore, you need to realize that it (acupuncture) may have side effects like bruising, bleeding, or in rare cases, infection.

Acupuncture has a positive effect on people who suffer from migraines. It can have an immediate impact, which makes it a viable way to manage ongoing migraine attacks.

To prevent migraines using acupuncture, you may need up to eight 45-minute sessions spread out over a week or a month.

Acupuncture is an art, and that means that all acupuncturists are artists. They use different styles of acupuncture to get the job done. For example, some stick the needles on the arms, legs, or back, while others prefer the neck, head, or face.

Acupuncture needles are always sterilized, so the risk of infection is extremely low. When it comes to choosing a practitioner, you stand to get more value from your sessions if you pick an acupuncturist from Acupuncture Continuum. In this line of work, training and experience matter a lot, so it’s best to ensure that you’re in qualified hands.

Though initially, acupuncture seemed like an improbable or exotic treatment for pain; today, the age-old practice is now an accepted and effective treatment for neck pain, osteoarthritis conditions, and low back pain.

Acupuncture, part of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is one of the oldest healing methods on the planet. It wasn’t recognized in the western world or regulated until James Reston, a Journalist, returned from Asia and wrote a piece about it in the New York Times in 1971.

Does It Work for pain?

According to NIH (National Institute of Health), many studies suggest that the treatment works very well, especially on chronic pain such as neck and back pain, headache, and knee pain. It works by reducing severity and incidence headaches and may also counter migraines. As such, many medical regulatory bodies, including NIH, conclude that acupuncture is an effective and reliable option for chronic pain patients.

Similarly, according to an article by the Practical Pain Management, acupuncture relieves pain by inactivating the underlying cause of pain, through modulating a patient’s endorphin levels. Now, during the treatment, patients will visit an acupuncturist regularly to maintain their well-being. Although it is performed by inserting small needles into the various body parts, acupuncture is regarded as gentle and non-invasive.

Similarly, recent studies by a team, a group of researchers throughout the world analyzed results of over 25 studies in which around 17,000 participants received sham acupuncture, no acupuncture, and acupuncture. All the patients who received the treatment felt relieved by over 50 percent. The details of the report can be found here.

Reasons to choose acupuncture for pain over other methods.

Acupuncture promotes relaxation

In today’s fast-moving world, it is infrequent to meet an adult that is not stressed out. Many people feel like the 24 hours in a day are very few to meet the various demands that come with work, self-care, and family. This often results in most people living in an environment of chronically high stress, which can be damaging to the body and awful. Acupuncture is an excellent way to deal with such a problem and help relax your nervous system while promoting relaxation and calm.

Acupuncture counters musculoskeletal pain

Acupuncture treatment is an effective treatment for both chronic and acute pain. It has shown results with recovery and pain after an injury, post surgeries, and accidents. It does this in several ways:

• Triggering your body to produce pain moderating hormones (enkephalins and endorphins).
• Improving blood flow around the painful areas to bring in oxygen, nutrients, and chemicals to enhance the healing process.
• Stimulating the body to release anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce pain and improve healing

Acupuncture treats headaches

Acupuncture is also a useful therapy for chronic headaches. It can effectively counter tension, headaches, migraines, and hormonally triggered migraines.

Helps heal disorders associated with menopause and menstruation

Most women suffer from hormonal imbalances that manifest through painful menses, heavy menses absent menses, menopausal disorders, premenopausal, endometriosis, and infertility disorders. Standard medicines are ordinarily ineffective for such conditions and rarely treat the primary cause. Chinese herbs, in conjunction with acupuncture, on the other hand, are very effective at not only countering underlying cause but also offering symptomatic relief.

Does insurance cover acupuncture treatment?

Some companies do cover the procedure for specific conditions, so check with your provider before scheduling an appointment.

The thought of having numerous needles inserted at specific points in your body might seem terrifying. On the contrary, acupuncture has been proven to boost your immune system without harmful side effects generously. The medical practice dated as far as the eleventh century and was used to prevent smallpox then. The complementary and ancient Chinese practice enhances the flow of energy via strategic points.

How does acupuncture boost your immune system?

Strength and support

In Chinese Medicine, a human’s immune system is referred to as Defensive/Wei Qi. It is between our muscles and the skin. Wei Qi, usually comprising of food and water, is the first form of defense against pathogens and bacteria. Acupuncture treatment works by stimulating your immune system, which in turn prevents any harmful and foreign substances from causing diseases. A weak Wei Qi is not a strong enough barrier to fight illness.

The medical practice not only strengthens your immune system but also supports it as it defends your body. Additionally, the acupuncture rebalances Wei Qi in case of any foreign pathogens.

Keeps external pathogens at bay

During some seasons of the year, it is common to catch the flu, bronchitis, or a cold. The weather, our diet, and stress are huge factors that affect our immune system. When external bacteria weaken our systems, they are prone to germs and viruses that cause the common cold, flu, allergies, or bronchitis.

Acupuncture has been proven to prevent not only colds but also shorten the period of the infection or virus. The treatment boosts the number of white blood cells in the body. In return, you respond much to bacteria.

Rebalancing low immunity

Regular monthly or weekly sessions have better results. The treatment moderates the system and balances your resistance whenever it is affected by external factors. These range from stress, trauma, extreme use of antibiotics, frequent infections, chemotherapy, grief, and surgical operations. These elements weaken your immunity, but acupuncture rebalances Wei Qi, thus an improved immune system. In addition to fighting germs and supporting our immunity, the medical practice also helps with:

· Allergies
· Anxiety and depression
· Stroke
· Hypertension
· Insomnia
· Chronic pain
· PMS
· Migraines
· Osteoarthritis
· Morning sickness
· Stiff neck

Why should you choose Acupuncture Continuum?

Acupuncture is a treatment that is practiced globally, and there are many specialists. Therefore, it is vital to have a qualified and experienced acupuncturist who will perform the practice to produce the best results. Acupuncture Continuum is your top selection as our staff take care of your needs in one or a few sessions, depending. It is crucial to never try acupuncture on yourself. This may make your situation worse, or interfere with your Wei Qi.

Our process is very straightforward, and our skilled team patiently walks you through every step. We give you a safe, non-invasive, and affordable treatment for people of all genders. Our treatment optimizes tranquility and serenity in your brain while enhancing your immune system and relieving pain. Acupuncture has been practiced for over 2,500 years, and its benefits do not cease.