Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that has been used for many centuries to treat various conditions and relieve pain.
At present, it is being used in the United States and other parts of the world to ease everything from lower back pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps to nerve pains, fibromyalgia, and other conditions with painful symptoms.
If you’re wondering why acupuncture is effective for pain relief, continue reading this article as we dive deeper and learn more about this holistic approach to healing.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely fine needles into the skin at certain acupoints.
The acupuncturist may turn or twirl the needles gently to apply heat or electrical stimulation to improve its benefits.
The philosophy behind acupuncture involves maintaining a harmonious balance of the invisible life force called Qi, pronounced “chi”.
Advocates of this ancient healing method believe that illness results from an imbalance of this life force.
Qi flows through pathways throughout the body, which are accessible through 361 acupuncture points.
By inserting needles into these points at the appropriate combinations, energy flow can be restored back to normal.
During each session, around four to 10 needles are inserted and left in place for 10 to 30 minutes.
Depending on your needs and condition, a full treatment may involve 6 to 12 sessions conducted over a span of three months.
This ancient art of healing is a generally safe and minimally invasive method that brings significant benefits.
It stimulates the immune system, promotes circulation, enhances the functions of your tissues, glands, and organs, as well as boosts healing and pain modulation.
Some of the specific conditions and symptoms that acupuncture has been found to help with include:
- Chronic headaches and migraine
- Chronic pain in the back, neck, or knees
- Sinus pressure
- Sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypertension
- Menstrual cramps and PMS
- Morning sickness
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates needles used in acupuncture as medical devices, and ensures that their manufacture and labeling meet certain standards.
They must be non-toxic, sterile, and labeled “for one use only” by a licensed acupuncturist.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief
Acupuncture may be used for pain relief, as it stimulates the release of endorphins, which is the body’s natural pain killer.
It can also affect the part of the brain that influences the release of serotonin, which affects mood.
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), a number of studies suggest that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic back or neck pain, osteoarthritis or knee pain, and headaches.
There’s also some evidence that suggests acupuncture can reduce the frequency and severity of tension headaches, as well as prevent the occurrence of migraines.
The NIH stated that acupuncture may be a reasonable option for people who suffer from chronic pain.
In a review article in Practical Pain Management, it was found that acupuncture is effective for pain relief because it can inactive the source of pain by regulating the levels of endorphin.
This treatment method has also been found to address temporomadibular joint disorder.
In a 2017 review, it was found that many acupuncture points are at areas or receptive fields where simulation can influence the activity of multiple sensory neurons.
The physical stimulation due to needle insertion can then affect the pain processing of your central nervous system and muscles, as well as improve the blood circulation to specific parts of the body.
If you have chronic or severe medical conditions, it is not recommended to use acupuncture as a replacement for conventional treatment methods.
Rather, it should be treated as complementary therapy alongside your treatment to boost your healing or recovery.
Many people also visit their acupuncturist regularly, simply to achieve a feeling of general well-being.
Aside from pain relief, other benefits that people experience by getting acupuncture include improved sleep, higher energy, better mental clarity, and less stress.
Finding the Best Acupuncturist
If you want to try out acupuncture for pain relief, the first step is finding an acupuncturist that you can trust.
So check their credentials and reviews from previous clients to ensure that you’re working with reliable professionals.
Licensing requirements for acupuncturists vary from one state to another.
It is recommended to choose licensed acupuncturists accredited by trade associations such as The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM), The Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM), and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).
Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture is one of the most trusted acupuncturists in Williamsport and Danville, Pennsylvania that specializes in sports therapy and pain management.
Aside from acupuncture, they also offer dry needling, cupping, soft tissue mobilization, electrostimulation, and strength assessment for athletes.
Whether you want to improve your athletic performance or simply want to improve your well-being, book an appointment with us today!