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.

Everyone gets anxious at some point. It is a natural response to stressful situations or an instinctive reaction to imminent danger. Anxiety keeps us alive by alerting us of potentially dangerous situations. For the most part, it does its job excellently. However, sometimes, our minds don’t know how to relax, even when there’s no present danger. In small occasional doses, anxiety is harmless, but when it becomes a part of your daily routine, it can have significant negative effects on your life and wellbeing.

Anxiety is no laughing matter

Alongside depression, anxiety disorders are one of the worst mental disorders we know. It exists by different names: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Chronic anxiety has debilitating effects on the body. First, it increases the presence of the hormone cortisol, a known stress hormone. Extreme anxiety, which is often in the form of a panic attack, can cause difficulty breathing, tightness around the chest, sweating, and irregular heartbeats, which can be dangerous.

Perhaps the biggest impact anxiety can have on someone is making it impossible to interact with people in social settings. Social anxiety affects a large percentage of the adult population. People suffering from this disorder have difficulty making friends and often end up with suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety is, therefore, a grave medical condition that can cause harm if left untreated. Conventional treatments do work, but more often than not, they come with side effects. There are a number of non-pharmaceutical anxiety medicines, and one of them is acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Anxiety

Acupuncture is a treatment as ancient as Chinese civilization. For millennia, it has served as a remedy for a number of illnesses. In traditional China, it was believed to work by restoring the flow of Qi around the body. Since then, we’ve discovered that anxiety can do much more for our health and wellbeing. It has now been adapted as an alternative treatment for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, stress, hormonal imbalances, musculoskeletal injuries, depression, and anxiety.

The question is, how exactly does acupuncture help in the treatment of anxiety?

Traditional Chinese healers were not far off when they guessed that acupuncture restored the body’s natural state of balance. Qi, or the aura of energy that surrounds each individual, is emitted by pores, and they believed that if your qi was weak, you could easily fall ill.

In a way, they were right; acupuncture does help restore the body’s homeostatic balance. Acupuncture needles are stuck just above the nerves in the skin, a process that triggers an immune response. Patients of acupuncture report feeling instantly better after the session, and that’s because acupuncture promotes the production of feel-good hormones like serotonin.

Anxiety, like any other mental disorder, is typically caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Homeostasis is our body’s natural way of self-regulation, so when induced through acupuncture, the body’s healing process begins, and good hormones are released.

Even as a temporary solution for chronic anxiety, acupuncture is far better than any prescription drug because it is natural, effective, and quite powerful.

Where can you find a qualified acupuncturist?

Acupuncture is a widely practised art form, but not every acupuncturist will be able to solve your problems in one or two sessions. Acupuncture Continuum is a one-stop-destination for all things acupuncture and the right place to visit if you’re interested in managing anxiety using the powerful effects of acupuncture.

Our staff is experienced, patient, and welcoming, and will walk you through the process until you’re ready. When it comes to natural treatments, acupuncture is one of the most effective, and we recommend it to everyone, not just people with anxiety. Nevertheless, the benefits of acupuncture on anxiety patients are evident, so call Acupuncture Continuum and experience them for yourself.

The art of pressing needles into the skin originated from ancient China, where it was used to treat a long list of ailments. Acupuncture has been around for over two and a half millennia, and according to recent research, it may be more effective than was previously thought.

How Does It Work?

Acupuncture is a minimally invasive type of therapy. It involves the use of needles to stimulate nerve clusters under the skin, a process that influences not only body functions, but also the well-being of surrounding glands, organs, and tissues.

In acupuncture, each needle is used to create tiny wounds on the skin. These injuries are too small to cause any pain or discomfort, but they are

enough to elicit a response from the immune system. The injured area receives special attention from the immune system in the form of better circulation and pain modulation, and the immune system prepares to initiate the wound-healing process.

Why Is Acupuncture So Effective?

We are yet to understand how acupuncture works at a molecular level. What we know for certain is that it does have a positive impact on health and well-being.

Acupuncture is most effective when used to treat chronic pain and nausea. For the longest time, its primary use was to relieve pain in the head, neck, and back.

In ancient China, acupuncture was believed to restore the flow of qi, a type of energy that supposedly coursed through and animated the human body. Back then, it was believed that disruptions in the flow of qi caused illness.

Today’s acupuncture treatments are not based on the same principles. One of the most popular theories about why acupuncture works suggest that the needles stimulate the nerves, which in turn signal the brain to release beta-Endorphins.

Beta-Endorphins are the feel-good hormones responsible for the euphoric feeling acupuncture patients get after sessions. It also increases the body’s pain thresholds, which explains why it is an effective treatment for chronic pain.

Another theory suggests that acupuncture works by reducing pro-inflammatory markers. Certain areas of the body, for instance, an area below the knee known as stomach 36, is known to have this anti-inflammatory response when stimulated.

Acupuncture is also used to help cancer patients manage some of the side effects of cancer treatments. It can alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea as well as peripheral neuropathy, a similar chemo-induced condition that’s characterized by numbness in the extremities. It allegedly does this by stimulating the brain into producing nerve growth factors, which promote nerve healing and regeneration.

Who Needs Acupuncture?

At Acupuncture Continuum, we believe that everyone could use the rewarding benefits of this therapy. Nevertheless, most of our patients come to us seeking comfort from never-ending pain, discomfort, and persistent hormonal issues. Our door is always open for you if you suffer from any of the following conditions:

•Chronic pain – Headaches, migraines, pain in the neck, back, and knees, whether induced by injuries or preexisting conditions, can be alleviated by acupuncture therapy.

•Hormonal imbalances – acupuncture provokes a homeostatic response, so it is quite effective when dealing with incessant menstrual cramps and intense pre and post-menstrual symptoms brought on by hormonal issues.

•Nausea – whether chemo-induced or brought on by pregnancy, acupuncture can be used to manage nausea.

•Sprains – moderately injured joints respond well to acupuncture treatments, which expedites the healing process while reducing pain.

Visit Acupuncture Continuum in Encinitas to get quality acupuncture treatments from a certified, skilled, and experienced acupuncturist.

Sleep can either be one of the greatest pleasures of life or the biggest frustrations. As per statistics by the AMA (American Sleep Association), most normal adults require between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to function correctly and optimally.

SleepScore Labs in 2017 released the most significant consumer sleep study ever, proving that only a few individuals actually get the minimum amount of rest that they require to remain healthy. Luckily, there are numerous all-natural remedies to assist you in sleeping better at night, with one of those remedies being acupuncture. So what is acupuncture? And how is it great for healthy sleep?

What is Acupuncture?

In essence, acupuncture is among several ancient Chinese medications. Currently, the practice is now widespread in the Western medicine sector as a complementary or alternative therapy. More and more patients are going for acupuncture for its ability to relief a diverse array of health concerns ranging from diseases to alcohol and drug addiction, as well as sleep issues such as insomnia.

In fact, according to acupuncture, the primary cause of insomnia is the disruption of light and dark, yin and yang energy, or day and night.

How does it Work?

Typically, acupuncturists utilize significantly long and thin needles, which they insert in several sections of the body along with the various energy flow points known as meridians. Besides being painless, these needles are used in opening life energy channels that are blocked. Usually, when your spiritual and physical energy flow is effectively shut off, the body subsequently responds with various symptoms, either of sickness or another disaccord, such as insomnia. In essence, these particular symptoms indicate energy obstruction that acupuncture alleviates.

Acupuncture for Insomnia treatment

For centuries now, acupuncture has been used in the successful treatment of insomnia symptoms. Insomnia basically represents the inability to sleep or catch sleep. According to Chinese medicine, insomnia represents a distinct energy imbalance.

In essence, acupuncture is known to help with insomnia, although it requires several continuous sessions. Usually, most patients report relaxation and calmness like never before, while others were reporting a virtually involuntary emotional release.

Acupuncture for sleep apnea treatment

Another sleep dysfunction is sleep apnea, which is a disorder where a person stops breathing while sleeping. This can either be caused by a blocked airway that can be as a result of a brain condition, obesity, or a physical abnormality. This condition causes snoring and can result in the person gasping or choking, which subsequently rouses then from sleep.

Nonetheless, acupuncture can aid individuals suffering from this condition by effectively stimulating the tissues and muscles of their airways. This way, they get stronger and are less likely to collapse during sleep, hence resolving apnea.

Essentially, auriculotherapy acupoint pressure may help in alleviating sleep apnea symptoms by the stimulation of muscles around the ear also. In fact, according to a recent research study that involved 362 persons indicates that acupuncture can be as effective or even better in comparison to chin devices or CPAP machines.

Ideally, acupuncture designed for sleep apnea strengthens tongue muscles to prevent the tissue from subsiding and subsequently blocking the airway while a person is sleeping. This finding can be backed by independent Brazilian research that indicated that acupuncture strengthened patient tongues by between 3 and 4 times in addition to decreasing apnea-related symptoms by 50%.

Professional Acupuncture services

If you experience trouble sleeping or you continuously struggle with symptoms of insomnia or sleep apnea among any other sleep disorders, you should consider going for an acupuncture treatment plan. When pooled with various other sleep hygiene practices such as herbal teas and meditation, acupuncture treatments may transform your nightlife into a dream, and you will feel well-rested.

At Acupuncture Continuum, we will establish a distinct acupuncture treatment plan just for you. We are an accredited acupuncture specialist backed by vast knowledge and experience to deal with any sleep condition. Get in touch with us for a free consultation and set up a precise treatment plan.

 
We believe that Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can play an integral part in fertility/ infertility treatments. Acupuncture is based on the theory that vital energy flows through the body along certain pathways. At Acupuncture Continuum, we try to balance this energy and restore health by stimulating specific points along energy pathways with very thin needles. Although acupuncture and herbal medicine has been a staple of Chinese culture for health and healing for thousands of years, acupuncture has gained wide acceptance in the American medical community only in the past few decades.

Our traditional herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy can be very effective in correcting many imbalances which are the cause of complex hormonal and physical disorders that lead to infertility or reduced fertility. Proper lifestyle and nutrition are very important in achieving balance and wellness. Once this has been achieved, conception is far more likely.

How does acupuncture help improve fertility?

• Acupuncture increases blood flow to the ovaries, which provides the optimal conditions necessary to improve egg quality and increase follicle count.
• Acupuncture improves blood circulation within the uterine lining to promote successful implantation.
• Acupuncture reduces the side effects of medications used in IVF protocols and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures.
• Acupuncture decreases uterine contractions, which encourages implantation and prevents miscarriage.
• Acupuncture reduces the stress of trying to get pregnant.
• Acupuncture helps to balance the immune system and supports general health.

At Acupuncture Continuum, we offer an effective medical system for fertility/infertility utilizing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, which is natural and safe. It is our purpose to offer our patients our dedication, experience and integrity to insure the best chances for an effective treatment for fertility/infertility. Our Acupuncture Encinitas serves the San Diego, CA area, including Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, and surrounding areas.

Click here to schedule your free consultation.