What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese method that is used to relieve health conditions and symptoms, such as pain. An acupuncturist actually inserts a thin steel needle into your skin at multiple “acupoints.” The needles are used to rebalance the body’s energy, or qi, and prompt the body to release natural chemicals to fight the illness or symptom.
The goal of Acupuncture is to relieve a health condition or symptom, such as pain. Scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness for some conditions.
What conditions does acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture can treat different types of health issues. People tend to use it as a treatment to relieve chronic (long-term) pain, such as:
- Sports injuries.
- Knee Pain
- Arthritis.
- Back pain, neck pain or muscle pain.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Menstrual cramps. (yes, ladies, it can help treat menstrual cramps)
Other than relieving chronic pain, Acupuncture can treat other conditions like:
- Infertility.
- Immune system problems.
- Cancer and cancer treatment side effects.
- Face pain and other nerve discomfort.
- Repetitive strain disorders and overuse syndrome.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Menopause and hot flashes.
- Pregnancy discomforts.
Different types of acupuncture:
Some Acupuncturists will follow the more traditional/ancient Chinese principles and will focus exclusively on directing the flow of qi (pronounced “chee”), or energy, throughout the body. Other practitioners might apply Western medicine, and use the needles to stimulate the body’s systems. It is common for acupuncturists to use a combination of both approaches.
Lastly, another acupuncture approach treats myofascial pain. This common condition involves muscles and their connective tissue. When your muscles are stressed, strained or injured, they will often form trigger points — tight, painful knots. A trigger point in one muscle can create pain in a different area of the body (referred pain).
Acupuncturists can use trigger point therapy to ease myofascial pain. They stimulate certain points on the body to relieve the pain.
CONTACT PEAK WELLNESS
Interested in learning more about acupuncture or wonder if it is the right treatment for you? Contact Peak Wellness today!
