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.