Acupuncture originated from mainland China. It is a traditional way of treating certain ailments experienced by a person. It is said that in China, traditional Acupuncture is incorporated with local herbal traditional Chinese medicine and in some other countries, incorporation of medicine is not practiced but it is replaced by electrical currents in the acupuncture sites or acupuncture pressure points.

There are around 1,000 pressure points located in our body. Acupuncture is basically inserting needles at certain points because it is believed that our body is interlinked with each other by a vital energy known as Qi, which circulates inside the body around 12 invisible lines of energy known as the meridians. Each meridian is linked with a specific organ and if there is any block in the passage of energy, disease is known to begin. This is a non-pharmacologically based treatment and therefore, it is well encouraged for those who are not able to take, or simply cannot bear taking, medications and also those who are allergic to certain types of medications. So here are some conditions that are said to benefit from acupuncture as they are eliminated, if not relieved, when acupuncture is being applied.

• Stress and Anxiety

  When we are stressed out over work or feeling anxious about a speech the next day, our body system also responds to that differently. When stress strikes, you cannot really pinpoint directly what is wrong since your body masks any possible feeling that is happening in your body. Also, if you are one of the many people who do not like to keep on taking medications to help you decrease your anxiety, then this is the best option that you can have. There are no side effects to this kind of treatment compared to drinking anti-anxiety pills, tranquilizers and sedatives.

  In a 2005 study conducted by JC Butler and company, it showed that when 55 patients with emotional disorders related to stress were treated with acupuncture, 100 percent of the patients reported a 95.4 percent reduction in symptoms. Furthermore, people who have been lucky enough to experience acupuncture reports feeling rejuvenated, revitalised and they felt as if the weight of the world has been lifted off their shoulders now that energy channels returned to its normal course. Additionally, migraine headaches and other forms of headaches can also be treated with acupuncture.  

• Weak Immune System

  It has been said that since acupuncture releases the trapped energy in your body, the treatment helps the system inhibit certain ailments and also prevents common diseases from occurring. When the system is restored back to normal, normal circulation starts too. Thus, it helps to circulate more healthy and revived blood around the body, transporting needed nutrients smoothly and efficiently.  Seven studies conducted in China, and information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), helps support this fact. Paired with the proper diet and exercise, acupuncture can do wonders to your immune system. Also, stay away from people with contagious diseases. Remember, prevention is always better than the cure.

• Insomnia

  Many people experience insomnia, or the inability to sleep during the night, and end up being awake even during the wee hours of the morning. Some people refer to this as sleeplessness and they end up feeling exhausted during the day and are not productive enough to work because the daytime has become their night time. Some people take large doses of sleeping pills in order to sleep at night when a regular glass of hot milk is not enough. And for some people, unfortunately, they die an untimely death due to overdose.

  To prevent the dangers brought about by taking sleeping pills, acupuncture is an alternative treatment for people whose sleep cycle has been disrupted. Acupuncture is a healthier option since there are no ill side effects compared to taking sleeping pills. A research study conducted by post-doctoral nursing students from the University of Pittsburgh revealed that acupuncture may be an effective form of intervention for insomnia relief. Other studies are also published at Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and International Journal of Clinical Acupuncture.

• Low Back Pain

  Low back pain is commonly experienced by people who work at an office, who basically sits all day. People who have bad posture may also suffer from low back pain as much as those who do not use proper body mechanics when lifting and carrying heavy objects. For some people, they take over-the-counter drugs to relieve them of the quite uncomfortable pain on their back – but only momentarily. They may have to take medications for quite some time to relieve them of the pain and this may lead to dependency. The worst part of all is that this may actually cause damage to the liver or even to the kidneys. Not only that, this may also be a cause of drug addiction, due to the inability to wean from the medication and the inability of the pain to dissipate.

• Arthritis

  Arthritis, or the inflammation of the joints, is a very painful condition once it strikes. Taking in medications only relieves you from the stress but not really from the cause of pain. Acupuncture has been proven to be effective when this is done, thus giving the person a sense of wellness and healing from the condition experienced.

  Findings of a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine journal, revealed that acupuncture may help with relieving the pain as well as in improving function of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

• Addiction

  Addiction is difficult to overcome whether it is about drugs, smoking or alcohol. It affects not only your physical wellness but also your social, emotional and mental state of being. There are other treatments available that would help a person overcome their addiction but still end up returning to the same old habits since some may have to take inhibitors which will only mask everything. Acupuncture helps a person overcome addiction since it unblocks the energy trapped within, detoxify the body and revives it. The person will experience a renewed self-awareness and healing since true healing starts from within. With proper guidance and continued sessions of acupuncture therapy, this would really help the person phase out from addiction.

In addition, before any treatment, assessment always comes first. The Acupuncturist assesses the client first and hands out a questionnaire about the client’s health history. This way, they can assess where to begin. Also, the number of needles inserted does not necessarily mean that your illness is grave. It only means that insertion of needles and the placement must be precise to the needs of the client.

Upon the insertion of needles, the client feels a slight sting or prick in the skin but it is not painful all throughout. But should you feel any numbness, pain or any discomfort during the treatment, you should notify the acupuncturist immediately. You should feel comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. Length of treatment varies from client to client. Some may take only seconds and some are longer. But the average time is 20-30 minutes.

Sources
all4naturalhealth.com
acupuncture.org.uk
webmd.com
acupunctureamerica.com
altmedicine.about.com