Acupuncture is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that uses thin needles to stimulate precise points of the body. Studies conducted on the effectiveness of acupuncture have shown promising results, helping patients that suffer from everything from headaches to osteoarthritis.
When performed by a licensed physician, acupuncture can be an effective natural alternative to prescription medication. Here are a few of the ways acupuncture can improve your health:
#1 Improving Chronic Pains, Headaches
Study upon study has proven that acupuncture is highly effective at managing chronic pain, usually better than any other treatment method. One of the largest studies of acupuncture, conducted in 2012, showed that acupuncture greatly improved symptoms of back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and migraines when compared to placebo. Other pains it treats effectively include knee pain, shoulder pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel, etc.
#2 Regulating Menstruation and Menopausal Symptoms
We live in a society where it is considered normal to get a little irritable one time a month, and have severe cramping during menses. But in fact, just because these symptoms are common, they are not normal! Acupuncture helps to reduce these unpleasant symptoms related to menses by balancing the pathological pattern that has caused them (have you ever heard of liver qi stagnation ladies?-a common pattern that can lead to painful periods). Just when you think you finally get a break from this period thing, your menopausal symptoms start with a vengeance. Guess what? Acupuncture is wonderful at treating menopausal symptoms, often we need to tonify yin, in Chinese medicine terms.
#3 Sinus Congestion/Colds/Flus
Acupuncture is very good at boosting the immune system. When you are congested, the needles work wonders to get those sinuses running and cleared. And help you to get feeling back to your regular self faster. Acupuncture is also good for allergies and asthma.
#4 Improved Sleep
People who suffer from insomnia are often at risk for other harmful diseases. Not getting enough sleep has been linked to increased risk for diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. While medications do exist to treat sleep disorders, they often have dangerous side effects, including the chance for addiction.
Acupuncture offers a natural alternative without the risk of dependence of other sleep treatments. In fact, researchers at a Chinese university in 2009 discovered that acupuncture treatment benefitted sleep disorder patients more when added as a treatment alongside herbal supplements. Unlike other treatments, the acupuncture study patients reported no ill side effects.
#5 Recovery from Cancer Treatment and Chemotherapy
Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, often leave patients feeling sick, fatigued, and miserable. Often, recovery from these treatments can stretch on for months.
Now, recent data published by the National Cancer Institute has proven that acupuncture significantly improves the rate of healing after cancer treatment, as well as many symptoms associated with treatments like chemotherapy. One trial even discovered that acupuncture leads to improved immune system response and less healthy cell loss during chemo treatments.
#6 Preventative Treatment for Cognitive Deterioration
Cognitive decline is one of the most disruptive age-related health issues. It’s a significant symptom of diseases such as Parkinson’s, which can severely impact a patient’s overall quality of life. The good news is recent research has shown promising results for acupuncture’s effect on cognitive decline. One such study at the University of Maryland showed 85 percent of Parkinson’s patients treated with acupuncture reported greatly improved mental and physical symptoms with no adverse effects.
All credit goes to Dronyk Health Clinic
