With the stresses of everyday life building and building, it can be challenging to find a way to relax. Your first thought may be prescribed drugs, however, there are endless side effects.
When you want to opt for a more holistic approach to ease your worries and bring your shoulders down from your ears, you can try holistic acupuncture(see also: What Is Holistic Acupuncture?).
Acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine have become increasingly popular in the U.S. for quite some time. Since 2007 there have been over 3 million people trying and enjoying the benefits of acupuncture.
So, are you ready to be pricked and prodded in the name of health and wellness? Below are 9 remarkable benefits of holistic acupuncture that give you the peace of mind that this is the right approach for you.
What Is Acupuncture?
You know the scene in Kung Fu Panda where Mantis sticks him with needles at the most inconvenient time? Well, that is a relatively simple and much more humorous explanation of what acupuncture is.
Acupuncture is a holistic medical therapy that evolved from TCM methods in which skilled practitioners use tiny needles to stimulate particular spots on the body.
Many people seek out the effects of acupuncture in order to reduce chronic pain, help them relax, and as a form of self-care.
There is currently more research being done on the conditions in which acupuncture may be able to treat. With hopes of being able to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, and hot flashes.
How Does It Work?
Contrary to popular belief, an acupuncturist is not just sticking needles in your body willy-nilly. There is a structure and extremely sacred method to acupuncture.
Acupuncture is viewed as a variety of techniques rather than a specific method for treating pain or a condition. In all forms of acupuncture, particular spots on the body are stimulated using a variety of tools, most frequently needles.
The process of acupuncture is typically done by a trained practitioner who carefully pierce needles into specific areas of the body into the body. There are often 10-20 needles used at one time to target certain areas of the body.
There are also acupuncture techniques that employ either no needles or very light electrical stimulations that pass through the needles.
Acupressure, for instance, is frequently referred to as “acupuncture without the needles” and uses focused massage-style techniques to press on certain areas to generate energy in the body.
Now, you may be wondering if it hurts to have needles inserted into your body. And normally, it would not be a painless procedure. However, acupuncture needles are so small that they can fit inside a regular needle.
Making the process pretty painless.
Acupuncture works by the practitioner inserting the needles in specific areas that are called meridians or pathways. Inserting needles at certain points, it helps to stimulate the central nervous system.
This then increases blood flow and muscle function.
A meta-analysis from 2018 on acupuncture’s impact on chronic pain, suggests that the treatment can offer pain alleviation effects that are different from placebo. However, it is unclear how acupuncture actually functions.
9 Benefits Of Holistic Acupuncture
Now even with the information of what acupuncture is and how it works, you may still be unsure if it is the right approach for you. We have X benefits of holistic acupuncture to show what it could do for you.
1. Safe
While you are being pricked with 10-20 tiny needles, the practice of acupuncture is actually extremely safe. So safe that it can be used on everyone from adults to babies to even pregnant people.
This, of course, is working under the fact that you are attending sessions with a fully qualified acupuncturist. Working with a practitioner who is still in training is acceptable.
So long as they are being supervised by their seniors and you feel completely comfortable under their care.
2. Lasting Effects
Unlike most Western medicinal drugs, acupuncture has long-lasting effects. It has been discovered that people with chronic pain who are treated with acupuncture will see results for up to 12 months.
This long-term benefit is due, at least in part, to the neuroplastic changes in the brain that can be brought about by acupuncture treatment.
So acupuncture literally rewires your brain to improve function. There are hardly many treatments that can accomplish this.
3. Natural Healing
Throughout all of history, our bodies have been capable of healing itself. Whether we are sick, scrape our knees, or even break a bone, the body will work to heal itself over a certain period of time.
Acupuncture works with the body’s natural healing abilities. Inserting needles at certain points helps to stimulate and support the inner workings of our ability to heal ourselves.
For example, when we have a headache(see also: How To Get Rid Of A Headache From Not Eating) our body releases a chemical called Endorphins. This is the body’s natural painkiller. Acupuncture can help increase the levels of endorphins that are released into the body to help with pain.
Whereas prescription drugs may mimic the result of endorphins in order to reduce the pain we feel. These can lead to addiction and have drastic side effects that can cause us great harm in the future.
4. Target More Than One Symptom
As you attend your first acupuncture appointment, you may have multiple concerns to address. You may also think that you are going to need a different session for each concern. That is not the case.
Acupuncture is incredible as it can treat various symptoms at one time. For instance, people with chronic pain frequently struggle with depression and sleep issues.
Whether you are as fit as a horse or find yourself falling under the weather multiple times a year, you are all subject to becoming ill. Especially when flu season comes around the early winter.
Acupuncture can help support the body’s natural immune system. This is a common benefit for people who go for acupuncture treatments regularly.
A person is less likely to become unwell when exposed to a virus or bacteria because their body is better prepared to fight them off.
This is excellent for anyone who finds themselves ill regularly or simply wants to improve their body’s natural barrier.
6. Manage Blood Pressure
Another great benefit of holistic acupuncture is the ability to manage blood pressure. From high stress jobs to obesity to diabetes, high blood pressure is becoming more common than it should be.
Blood pressure can be lowered with regular acupuncture treatments and medical care for the cardiovascular system.
Often more effective than medication at regulating blood pressure, the practice supports healthy cardiac function and blood flow.
Acupuncture plus a healthy balanced diet and active lifestyle can help you gain better control over your blood pressure. An excellent benefit if you are diabetic and are struggling with getting the right balance.
7. Enhance Fertility
Much like helping to aid our body’s natural healing abilities, acupuncture can aid in fertility. It can help optimise the function of the reproductive hormones which will help a couple get pregnant a lot easier.
Many pregnant women even continue the holistic practice throughout their pregnancy to ensure everything goes smoothly. It can help alleviate nausea, pain, and swelling during pregnancy without causing harm to the baby.
You may even find that you heal faster after giving birth if you continue your practice.
8. Improved Sleep
As I have mentioned before, insomnia is a common reason for people to seek the benefits of holistic acupuncture. However, even if you do not suffer from insomnia, you still may not be getting the best sleep you can.
Many people are better able to fall asleep at night when the body’s energy is balanced and the neurological system is suitably stimulated.
People who experience insomnia can benefit from acupuncture, according to scientific studies, and in some cases, the treatment was even more effective for patients than sleep aids.
9. Improved Digestive System
It is becoming more and more common for people to be plagued with heartburn, constipation, and even irritable bowel syndrome. All of which can be painful and extremely inconvenient.
Your general health and wellness are harmed when your digestive system isn’t functioning properly. Treatment with acupuncture aids in regulating intestinal health and provides relief from several frequent conditions.
Pair acupuncture with a well-rounded, high-fibre diet, and your bowels may be up and running in no time.
Final Thoughts
Acupuncture is an incredible and extremely respected medicine within Chinese culture. And its popularity is only growing as we look for natural, holistic solutions to our problems.
Whether you are having trouble sleeping, are looking to get pregnant, or simply want to improve your overall health, acupuncture is an effective practice.
Above are 9 remarkable benefits of holistic acupuncture that could be just the thing to get you along to your first appointment.
Prepare to be relaxed, soothed, and feeling like a whole new person by the time your treatment is up. We all deserve a little R&R now and then!
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
