Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most popular forms of alternative treatment. It has been practiced for centuries in China where it originated. Acupuncture became popular in the US and other Western countries only in the latter part of the 20th century.
Acupuncture has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a viable treatment for over 25 conditions. Several studies have pointed to this method’s healing and therapeutic benefits, and some have shown that its effectiveness is grounded in science.
Here are 5 great benefits:
- Acupuncture relieves headaches and migraines
- Acupuncture relieves persistent pain
- Acupuncture helps you sleep better
- Acupuncture helps your digestive system
- Acupuncture treats anxiety
Acupuncture needles are usually placed around the face, neck, and scalp to relieve headaches or migraines. Your acupuncture professional will position around 5-20 needles at different pressure points while looking for the area that has the most effective response to the treatment.
As the needles come in contact with small blood vessels, blood flow increases and endorphins are released. Endorphins act as a natural painkiller and can relieve headaches instantaneously.
Acupuncture helps relieve chronic neck, back, and knee pain and eliminates the common side effects of persistent pain like soreness, tense muscles, and headaches. Again, acupuncture needles are placed at different pressure points to stimulate the flow of blood and to release endorphins.
Arthritis is another type of chronic pain that can be treated with acupuncture. Needles are placed all over the body and not just around the area where the joint pain is felt. The treatment also reduces the joint inflammation that’s symptomatic of arthritis.
Acupuncture reduces instances of insomnia. Treatments increase the production of nocturnal melatonin, a chemical that helps you sleep. It also promotes uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.
Acupuncture helps the digestive system break down food more easily which results in improved metabolism and the drastic reduction, if not total elimination, of constipation, bloating, and heartburn. Getting rid of blockages in your digestive system increases the flow of energy in areas of the body that need it.
Studies have been shown that acupuncture can help reduce anxiety without medication. Acupuncture slows down the production of the stress hormone, cortisol. It also works to restore the balance and energy in the body. Patients report that just after one session of acupuncture, they already feel relaxed and in a better state of mind.
Check out our Holistic Acupuncture page to read about the holistic, natural approach to wellness by WholeBody Solutions. The goal of our acupuncture treatments is to improve both physical and spiritual health by putting into balance the body’s own ability to heal itself.
For more information on the benefits and effects of acupuncture, check out the following blog posts:
- How acupuncture relieves pain
- What you need to know about acupuncture and fertility
- Acupuncture and weight loss
You can also call WholeBody Solutions at 617-328-6300 for safe and natural solutions to your health concerns.
Our goal is simple – to make sick people well and to help more people enjoy the many benefits of living a healthier lifestyle.