Acupuncture has a long history in Eastern medicine, going back more than two thousand years. It has been successfully used to treat both acute and chronic conditions. It is often considered an alternative when traditional Western medicine cannot help or causes unwanted side effects. It can also be used to supplement other clinical treatments.
Acupuncture is administered by inserting thin needles into the skin at certain points on the body. Though it sounds painful, it is virtually painless when administered by a professional. The insertion of needles is thought to correct imbalances in energy flow in the body, called Qi. Acupuncture works by interacting with and impacting neurotransmitters, the immune system, and hormone levels. It is often considered a desirable treatment because the patient can achieve results with few or no side effects.
For many patients, acupuncture can reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, which often corresponds to an increase in their quality of life. It can be used to treat a wide range of illnesses or conditions, including:
- Headaches: Acupuncture can help ease chronic headaches, including migraines and tension headaches caused by various reasons including sitting in front of a computer or phone for prolonged periods.
- Reproductive issues: Acupuncture can help fertility issues and, ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome:Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can cause debilitating exhaustion, reduced stamina, neurological problems, and other flu-like symptoms.
- Depression: Depression is a chronic condition that impacts many people in the United States. Acupuncture can help tremendously when depression is related to mental-emotional stress.
- Fibromyalgia: This disorder causes fatigue and chronic pain that impacts fibrous tissues in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Asthma: Acupuncture may effectively treat many respiratory diseases, including asthma, and may reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks.
- Gastrointestinal issues: Acupuncture may also help relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as chronic liver disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Mental health disorders: Acupuncture can release endorphins and increase the amount of oxygen in the blood. These effects can impact emotions, relationships, job performance, and other areas of life that may be challenging due to mental health issues.
- Chronic skin conditions: Chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and others, can be alleviated with acupuncture. The skin may become clearer.
- Musculoskeletal conditions: Issues with the back or neck, or those caused by sciatic or arthritis, may help fix some of the underlying physiological issues contributing to pain.
- Autoimmune diseases: Many autoimmune diseases are non-specific and will attack many systems in the body. Acupuncture can alleviate pain, boost energy, and balance the immune system to help the body stop attacking itself.
- Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke: Recovery of patients with these conditions can be better than those treated with only conventional medicine, particularly when treatment is not delayed. Muscle tone can be restored while tremors and pain decrease or stop altogether. And in some cases, cognitive function is improved.
In addition to these chronic conditions, acupuncture may benefit other patients that suffer from a lack of strength, fatigue, or a weakened immune system due to other conditions. It is also very effective at alleviating chronic pain,including pain caused by spinal stenosis, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, and ankylosing spondylitis. Additional chronic pain conditions that may benefit from acupuncture include:
- Chronic back pain
- Pain in the neck region
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Shoulder pain
- Pain resulting from cancer, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery
- Pain from stomach disorders
- Sinus headaches
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Indigestion
- Stomach ulcer pain
Acupuncture often alleviates chronic conditions because it can reduce inflammation and swelling. This effect provides relief from conditions such as pain and stiffness. It is also a safe and effective alternative to many prescriptions used to treat chronic conditions. Acupuncture can work particularly well when combined with other therapies that address the causes of chronic conditions. Lifestyle changes that result in better nutrition and fitness can also enhance the efficacy of acupuncture.
In many cases, acupuncture can address the root causes of chronic conditions or ease the symptoms of a condition. It can often improve one’s quality of life by reducing stress, promoting better sleep patterns, and enhancing mood.
While the benefits of acupuncture are substantial, patients are advised to work with reputable and skilled acupuncturists. These clinicians understand that each person requires a unique approach to treating their conditions. Many patients with chronic conditions will need long-term treatment plans to manage symptoms. However, many people find acupuncture to be comfortable and feel a sense of well-being during the treatment. To learn more about the benefits of acupuncture for chronic conditions, contact MK Integrative Wellness today.
MK Integrative Wellness offers various natural medicine options that use naturopathic medicine principles, from consultations, acupuncture, customized herbal formulations, natural pain management, and more. Our team can help you manage your health and wellness through herbal medicine options proactively.