Acupuncture is one of those topics that you either know very little about or are a semi-pro advocate, spreading its gospel to any friend that will listen.
If you’re just beginning your journey or have been a bit skeptical, not to worry. There are many more reasons to try acupuncture than what we’ve listed out below.
If you’re new to acupuncture, here are a few reasons why you should consider it.
1. It Focuses On Your Body’s Ability To Heal Itself, Naturally
Acupuncture was originally believed to regulate the flow of energy (or “Qi”) in your body, according to traditional chinese medicine. Qi was believed to flow through meridians (or pathways) through the body.
Over time, this view was refined with more formal medical reasoning. Meridians are generally tied to the central nervous system and the neurology relating to the brain. Research in the past few years has exploded into studying acupuncture to further to try and explain this, with extremely promising results.
Regardless of the explanation (traditional beliefs of regulating energy versus stimulating your central nervous system), acupuncture circulates the flow of blood throughout your body and allows it to naturally heal itself.
Everyone’s acupuncture treatment plan is unique, and the combination of acupuncture points chosen will generally trigger a unique biochemical response (which is one of the reasons why research and clinical studies are so challenging in this field).
2. Pain Management and Chronic Pain
One of the most important applications for acupuncture is to help manage chronic pain and related conditions. Pain has always been difficult to evaluate because it’s quite subjective. Pain tolerance also varies between people (what someone else finds unbearable, you might be able to tolerate and vice versa).
But still – within the world of acupuncture, one of the most prevalent uses of the treatment has been to manage pain. Research has shown that acupoints selected for pain management triggers the release of endorphins, which effectively acts as the body’s natural pain killer.
Furthermore, our central nervous system can be overwhelmed if it’s hit with too many nerve impulses. As a result, it can close very small pain centers that carry “pain messengers.” What’s incredible is that extensive research is being done (with promising results) to show that acupuncture may control pain by affecting the pain messengers in our body as they travel through the spinal cord.
3. Improves Blood Flow and Regulates Pressure within Your Body
Acupuncture stimulates your body, resulting in dilation (“opening up”) of your blood vessels to help increase blood flow and reduces muscular stress. This helps reduce regulate high blood pressure and even trains your body to keep a moderated level of blood pressure when you’re stressed.
Interestingly, improvements in the circulatory system helps older patients that tend to experience poor circulation in their legs. Acupuncture restores oxygen to issues and removes lactic tissue buildup associated with low circulation.
4. Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
A popular application of acupuncture is to help manage your body’s response to various emotions. This can particularly be applied to stress and anxiety, while even helping manage more perverse conditions such as depression.
And surprise – it does this by affecting our central nervous system.
The nervous system in our body can be broken down and explained further into two broader categories: the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system.
These fancy words simply mean the following:
- Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – this controls our body’s ability to balance itself internally and maintain its well-being, when exposed to external factors (homeostasis). This is basically controls our rest and digestive functions
- Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): this controls our body’s response to a perceived threat. It triggers our natural “fight or flight” response and is generally responsible for stress and anxiety
When your body is stressed, it releases a hormone called cortisol. Acupuncture has been shown to help manage stress by controlling and regulating the body’s release of cortisol. This helps manage conditions related to anxiety and depression. Acupuncture has been shown to affect the body’s neuroendocrine and immune systems when specific acupoints are stimulated.
Acupuncture was also shown to affect neurotransmitters in the brain associated with an increase in serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Serotonin is a hormone associated with general well-being while norepinephrine is associated with reducing stress.
Overall, there have been very positive signs showing that acupuncture is effective when managing stress, anxiety, and depressive behaviour.
It’s important to note that for severe conditions of depression and anxiety – it’s always recommended you visit a psychotherapist, counselor, and/or a family doctor first, to ensure primary care needs are met.
6. General Boost to Your Mood
Because neurotransmitters are positively affected through acupuncture, it can actually improve your mental wellness. In turn, this can improve your mood – making you feel good.
How does this work? As mentioned in the above section, research shows that acupuncture increases serotonin levels. Due to this increase, your mood improves. Your risk of depression may decrease. It’s also been used in some countries as a treatment method for depression. Researchers also state that these effects may even help a person with obesity, specifically if a low mood or depression is the cause.
7. Cosmetic Acupuncture and No-Tox
Acupuncture is leading the way as a “no botox” style beauty treatment. Unlike other methods to slow down the aging process or produce glowing skin, acupuncture doesn’t use any chemicals or toxins. It’s a natural way to improve the look of your skin. Individuals who have used acupuncture as a beauty treatment boast about its ability to even out their skin tone, reduce under-eye bags, decrease fine lines, reduce deep wrinkles, and improve overall circulation and vitality.
Experts and researchers alike believe these positive benefits happen due to the small microtraumas in the skin caused by the acupuncture needles. The body increases blood flow to the area. It also may activate collagen production, restoring the skin and reducing unwanted aging effects.
Our experienced acupuncturist will be able to further discuss options with you that are tailored to meet your individual healthcare needs.
Book your next appointment and discover a life where pain doesn’t get in your way.