You’ve heard about acupuncture and all the medical miracles it can do. But you’re also wondering if it really works. Based upon many millennia of ancient Chinese tradition, acupuncture has proven itself to be effective in treating many medical conditions. Research from both the United States and Europe have even proven acupuncture works. The studies have shown a significant improvement with pain and nausea when acupuncture is used.
One such study on acupuncture—the largest to date—involved 18,000 patients and was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in October 2012. The analysis found that acupuncture was effective in treating chronic pain, and because of this, has been a goto treatment for doctors.
Illness and Acupuncture
In China, acupuncture is used for all illnesses and conditions, sometimes as an alternative medicine, sometimes as a complementary one. In the United States and Europe, it’s mostly used to treat pain and nausea, especially nausea as a side-effect from chemotherapy. In Lincoln Ne acupuncture is very popular and people take treatment from here.
Currently in the west, acupuncture is used to treat conditions like:
- muscle spasms and pain
- chronic back problems and pain
- headaches, including reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines
- Nausea
- neck pain
- Osteoarthritis
- knee pain
- Allergies
- digestive problems
- mood, depression
- fertility issues
How Does Acupuncture Work?
Detailed written accounts about acupuncture date back to 100 B.C., but researchers believe it has been in existence much longer than that. If it’s been around so long and it’s the primary form of treatment in China, it must work, right? But, how?
In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed that disease is the result of disruptions to the flow of energy, or qi, in the body. Acupuncture stimulates points on or under the skin called needle points, releasing this qi. Then, the qi travels through meridians or channels, according to the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota.
In western medicine, though, acupuncture doesn’t work this way. Western doctors believe in several different hypothesis as to how acupuncture works.
Dr. Ting Bao, an integrative medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York says, “One major hypothesis is that acupuncture works through neurohormonal pathways. Basically, you put the needle through specific points in the body and stimulate the nerve. The nerve actually sends signals to the brain, and the brain releases neural hormones such as beta-Endorphins. By doing that, the patient may feel euphoric, or happy, and this increases the pain threshold and they feel less pain.”
Another hypothesis is that acupuncture works by reducing proteins or pro-inflammatory markers in the body. By reducing these proinflammatory markers inflammation and pain is decreased.
Finally, another hypothesis is that by putting the needle into nerves, “you stimulate the brain to secrete some nerve growth factor, and then that helps the nerve to regenerate,” Bao said.
Consider Acupuncture
If you’re suffering from an illness or medical condition, why not consider acupuncture? With its proven success, you just might find the relief and help you’re looking for in medical treatment. You can use acupuncture as an alternative or complementary medicine. Whatever you choose, you’ll be sure to be on your way to feeling and living better.
Visiting an Acupuncturist
If you’re a South Florida resident who is suffering from any of the maladies that both eastern and western doctors have successfully treated with acupuncture, you have a variety of options available to you. The popularity of acupuncture in Miami means that there are dozens of options and locations for individuals seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals, surgery, and other riskier remedies.
When you make an appointment, expect to be interviewed by your acupuncturist and for them to examine your tongue. After the preliminary preparations, your acupuncturist will insert the needles into the appropriate points for your illness or condition. You will rest with the micro-thin needles in your body for about 15-20 minutes. You may need several treatments before noticing an improvement.
Title Tag: Does Acupuncture Work?
Meta Description: Acupuncture isn’t just alternative treatment, but also clinically effective in relieving pain throughout the body. But does acupuncture work?