Acupuncture is the practice of insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points in the body. Acupuncture has been used for years to naturally treat pain, as of more recent years, it has been used for overall wellness and stress management.
According to Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a technique used for balancing the flow of energy. The energy that flows through pathways or (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these pathways it is believed that your energy flow will then re-balance.
Natural Pain Relief with Acupuncture
Each acupuncture session generally lasts no longer than 60 minutes. The number of treatments is recommended based on the condition being treated, and the severity of the condition, though it is common to receive 6-8 treatments spread out to 2 treatments per week.
Acupuncture is used to relieve discomfort associated with a number of conditions and diseases.
Conditions and diseases acupuncture can treat include:
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Knee pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Foot/ankle pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Shoulder pain
- Respiratory disorders
- Headaches/Migraines
- Elbow/Wrist pain
- Allergic rhinitis
The treatment process is simple. You are laid flat on a padded table, whether or not you need to remove clothing will depend on the areas of your body being treated and will be discussed prior to your session. Your acupuncturist will provide a gown, towel, or sheets for you to cover up with.
Needle insertion: a typical treatment consists of 5-20 thin needles inserted to different depths at strategic points of the body. People often don’t feel the needles being inserted at all though the process may cause some discomfort when a needle reaches the correct depth.
Needle manipulation: once needles are placed your acupuncturist may move, twirl or apply pressure and heat.
Needle removal: during the session needles remain in place for 10-15 minutes while you lay still and relax. In most cases there is little to no discomfort during the removal of the needles.
Many people find acupuncture to be helpful in pain and stress management. Other benefits of acupuncture include:
- Improve blood flow
- Strengthen immune system
- Reduce muscle spasms
- Relieve seasonal allergies
- Relieve nausea and vomiting
- Asthma relief
- Improved respiratory health
- Improved quality of life
After treatment you may feel extremely relaxed or even feel more energized, though not everyone responds to acupuncture. If your symptoms do not improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be right for you.
To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture treatments contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.