If you are skeptical about this type of therapy, and you’re not even sure if it really works, you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we will explain everything you need to know about acupuncture, and how it has been proven to help with inflammation in the body.
Does Acupuncture Really Work?
Even though acupuncture is a well-known technique that is used in 103 nations across the world, some people are still skeptical about the effectiveness of it.
The problem here is that acupuncture’s mechanism of action and underlying causes are still poorly understood. Although research is ongoing, it is yet unclear why acupuncture has such positive outcomes.
Of course, there have been countless instances of acupuncture that have been successful, proving that it, at the very least, benefits the vast majority of patients.
Some people, however, are not persuaded that the claimed symptom and pain relief via acupuncture is not a placebo effect.
However, there is evidence to suggest that acupuncture is effective.
This is demonstrated in studies where subjects underwent brain scans after receiving acupuncture, showing that the treatment had a positive impact on the nervous system’s activities.
The most clear evidence that acupuncture really does work is that so many patients have reported feeling better following their sessions. Perhaps some of these people experienced placebo effects, but surely not all of them.
So, if you ask us, yes; acupuncture does work. It has an effect on the brain and the body which can relieve uncomfortable and painful symptoms for so many people, including those who suffer from chronic diseases.
How Acupuncture Relieves Inflammation
Acupuncture has been used as a means to relieve inflammation for many years across the world, but it has only really been adopted by Western medicine over the past few decades.
Acupuncture works by targeting specific areas of the body that are related, or responsible, for the inflammation.
Tiny needles are used to poke those areas, through your skin, which somehow leads to those symptoms being relieved over time.
While it sounds impossible, this has been proven time and time again to be a helpful method that patients benefit from.
Acupuncture stimulates the release of molecules that lessen swelling, and eliminate unwelcome immunological and allergy responses.
In turn, this not only lessens any inflammation but also, ideally, stops it from happening again in the future.
It can also help to strengthen the immune system, which will also help to keep inflammation at bay. The stronger your immune system, the less likely you are to experience any kind of flare-ups.
The Pros And Cons Of Acupuncture
If you suffer from inflammation in your everyday life, and you feel like you have tried everything you can to cure it, you may be thinking about giving acupuncture a try.
Before you jump into booking your first appointment, it is important to do your research beforehand. Below, we have put together a list of the pros and cons of acupuncture to help you come to a decision based on your own body.
Pro: Acupuncture Can Make You Feel Happier
Studies show that acupuncture has the ability to make a person feel happier, and provide them with more energy, even after only one session.
According to data, acupuncture increases levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, all of which are linked to elevating mood and promoting happiness.
Con: Acupuncture May Cause Your Issues To Feel Worse Before They Get Better
While acupuncture has been known to relieve a lot of painful symptoms, and help with certain disorders, it can often cause these issues to get worse before they get better.
This is common for many kinds of therapies, so you will have to stick at it if you want to experience the true benefits of acupuncture.
Pro: Acupuncture Is A Drug-Free Form Of Therapy
Acupuncture uses absolutely no drugs, in contrast to several other forms of physical rehabilitation. As a result, the majority of patients experience very little adverse effects after receiving acupuncture.
There is little chance of infection or injury, providing that clean, sterile needles have been used.
Con: It May Take Some Time For Acupuncture To Start Working
While we mentioned earlier that acupuncture can cause some issues to get worse before they get better, it can also take some time for it to start working at all.
Some people have reported relief from migraines, nausea, digestive problems, sleep problems, infertility, and other symptoms after receiving acupuncture.
Acupuncture can frequently provide alleviation from these symptoms, and in some cases, they can prevent those symptoms from reoccurring in the future.
Con: Acupuncture, Performed Incorrectly, Can Cause Problems
When performing acupuncture, it is so important that the needles being used are completely clean and sterile.
If the needles being used are not clean, it can cause infection in the person receiving the therapy. You should also check that the person performing the acupuncture has a license, and is fully trained.
Pro: Acupuncture Should Be A Painless Procedure
A big reason that so many people will avoid getting acupuncture done is because they have a fear of needles, or they are worried that it will hurt.
Despite the fact that acupuncture involves a needle penetrating the skin, it is not a painful procedure. At worst, it will feel like a pinch.
Con: Acupuncture Does Not Work For Everyone
Unfortunately, just like all other kinds of therapies, it is possible that this specific one will not work for you.
While it is definitely worth giving it a try, you should think about giving something else a try if you do not find that it’s working for you after trying it for a while.
Acupuncture Points That Target Inflammation
Below, we have listed a few of the acupuncture points that are most often used when it comes to relieving inflammation. We have listed the names, along with the location of each point.
Targeting The Lungs
If you are suffering with inflammation in your lungs, the acupuncture point that should be focused on is the LU 7, otherwise known as the Lieque. This can be found on the inside of your wrist, towards your thumb.
Targeting The Liver
The acupuncture point for inflammation in the liver is LV 3, or Taichong. This is located between your big toe and your second toe.
Targeting The Kidneys
For the kidneys, the point you’ll want to focus on will be the KI 3 (Taixi). This is found on the back of your ankle.
Targeting The Bladder
For an inflamed bladder, the pressure point you’re looking for will be BL 40, or the Weizhong. This can be found behind your knee.
Targeting The Large Intestine
The point that targets inflammations located in the large intestine is the LI 4, or the Hegu. This can be found on the back of your hand, between your thumb and your pointer finger.
Targeting The Gallbladder
For the gallbladder, you’ll need to find the GB 20 (Fengchi). This can be found on the back of your neck, at the base of your skull.
Final Thoughts
While this form of therapy does not work for everyone, it is definitely worth giving a try, as it may just be the answer to all (or, most) of your health issues. This is especially true if you suffer with inflammation in your body.
Even if you try it out, and you find that it has no effect on you, at least you can say that you gave it a try!
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.
