Acupuncture is a popular method that involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific areas of the skin to stimulate target points. The goal is to promote the body’s natural self-healing properties by balancing its energies.
It’s a centuries-old Chinese technique that’s growing in popularity for its numerous benefits. Nowadays, with the growing evidence of its effectiveness, more and more people are willing to give it a try.
For some, it’s a way to relax and reduce stress after a long working week. For others, it’s a way to promote better sleep, treat pain to address more complicated issues, such as migraines and high blood pressure.
Keep on reading as we discuss the top six benefits of acupuncture and why you should try it yourself.
Helps With Chronic Pain
Pain can affect us in various ways and come all over the body. Some people complain of neck, shoulder and lower back pain from poor posture. Others may experience symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain, swelling and limited range of motion.
Nevertheless, acupuncture can help in almost all of these occasions and more. Studies from the past decade show that acupuncture reduces pain and has more than a placebo effect.
If you’re experiencing chronic pain or muscle tension for whatever reason, then acupuncture might be a good option for you. After all, it’s a drug-free method that can alleviate pain and address other inflammation-related symptoms.
Can Help With Sleep Issues
Sleep deprivation is becoming a more and more common issue. Stress, anxiety and other factors can often hamper our sleeping patterns. However, with sleep deprivation, other problems are sure to follow. We can experience fatigue, lack of motivation, poor mood, forgetfulness and more. The list can go on forever!
However, sometimes simply telling yourself that you should sleep more doesn’t do the trick. Well, acupuncture can help you improve your sleep quality. Studies show that this ancient method can help you sleep better, perhaps by increasing melatonin levels.
Moreover, in some people, it shows similar if not better results compared to taking sleep medications.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Chronic stress and anxiety are common problems of modern society. Busy everyday lives and personal issues can significantly raise our stress hormone levels and lead to a cascade of adverse effects on the body.
Stress is also one of the main reasons for people to seek treatment from an acupuncturist. The method can bring you a sense of deep relaxation and peacefulness.
Moreover, a few studies show that acupuncture can decrease the levels of cortisol and adrenaline. Thus it can reduce the adverse effects of stress on the body and help with anxiety and depression.
Can Relieve Headaches and Migraines
Treating headaches was perhaps one of the main applications of acupuncture practiced centuries ago. It’s a drug-free approach that might alleviate headaches and potentially benefit migraine control.
The effects probably correspond with the release of hormones, such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins that can affect pain perception and contribute to a state of euphoria.
If you’re experiencing headaches or migraines often, then acupuncture can be a brilliant option for you. Recent systematic reviews show that it can reduce the frequency and severity of these conditions. Some even suggest that it can exhibit a similar effect to migraine preventive drugs.
Enhances Your Mood and Energy
Acupuncture can positively affect the hormone balance in our bodies. It can reduce stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline while stimulating the release of positive hormones like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine.
Also known as “happy hormones,” these last three can significantly enhance your mood and turn your bad day into a great one. Combined with the overall effects on the nervous system and chronic stress, the result is a surge of energy and a positive mood.
Most people after acupuncture treatment report a sense of calm, happiness and peacefulness and often an improvement in their initial symptoms.
Can Help With Blood Pressure Control
Many believe that we can only treat high blood pressure with medications. However, while they can be inevitable on many occasions, sometimes they can exhibit side effects.
Moreover, we can almost always benefit from blood pressure control by introducing positive lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing stress, doing sports, and having a balanced diet.
In addition, some studies show that acupuncture can activate specific neural pathways and stimulate natural blood pressure control. Moreover, it has little to no side effects, so don’t hesitate to give it a try. If you’re looking for acupuncture near you, try out Park Place Clinic and empower your health and wellness!
