There’s a reason why acupuncture is still being used as an alternative treatment today. Aside from managing pain, regular treatments can also provide your body with several benefits.
So if you’re still on the fence about booking your first session, maybe this list below will help you reconsider.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a type of physical therapy rooted in Traditional Chinese medicine. It aims to rebalance the flow of your energy or Qi so you can obtain optimal health. It believes that your Qi travels through pathways throughout your body called meridians. A blocked pathway can be a cause of illness, that’s why acupuncture focuses on rebalancing its healthy flow.
It uses thin needles that are inserted into specific acupoints of the body to relieve pain and manage certain symptoms. According to Jon Kukor of Orlando Alternative Health, acupuncture can also be an excellent alternative for treating sports injuries, migraines, digestive disorders, and stress.
What are the benefits of getting acupuncture?
Aside from treating pain, there are also several other ways that consistent acupuncture sessions can benefit you. Depending on your goal, proper treatments can help you with the following:
1. Speeds up recovery
If you’re an athlete or live an active lifestyle, the chances of getting physical injuries can be doubled due to the strain it can put on your body. That’s why you should consider incorporating acupuncture into your regular routine.
If you ever get any muscle strains or soreness, a few sessions will help speed up your recovery. Since acupuncture can stimulate your central nervous system, it causes it to produce endorphins – which are your body’s natural painkillers. It will also decrease inflammation and swelling so you’ll have no problem returning to tip-top shape a few days later.
2. Improves immune system
If you’re struggling with a weak immune system, regular sessions of acupuncture can help strengthen it by stimulating your antibodies. When done correctly, this will create a strong line of defense against pathogens entering your body.
This will also increase the production of your red, white, and T-cells to manage immune-related symptoms and diseases, like asthma, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, and bronchitis.
Over time, acupuncture can also normalize your body’s response to varying stimuli, which can be beneficial for managing and eliminating allergies and their symptoms without medication.
3. Reduces stress and anxiety
The secret to overall health not only relies on having a toned body. So if you’re feeling stressed and anxious, acupuncture can be helpful.
Aside from releasing your endorphins, it can also improve your blood circulation which will oxygenate your tissues and cycle out toxic chemicals produced by stress, like cortisol.
Acupuncture can also relax your muscles that’s why you often feel a calming sensation during your treatment. Afterward, you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated as if you’ve spent the whole day at a spa!
4. Boosts energy
If you’re feeling low in energy or fatigued lately, vitamins and supplements can only do so much if you don’t address the root of the issue. To prevent your condition from turning into chronic fatigue, you might want to try a few sessions of acupuncture.
It’s been shown that consistent acupuncture treatments can reduce mental and physical fatigue since it creates a calming sensation in your body. It can also increase the production of your serotonin levels, which will help improve your sleep and mood regulation.
Athletes that receive regular treatments of acupuncture can also perform better since they feel more energized compared to those that don’t include acupuncture in their lifestyle.
5. Prevents injuries
Another great benefit of getting acupuncture regularly is it improves your flexibility. As discussed above, acupuncture can relax your muscles which will help eliminate any muscle knots or stiffness. It can also reactivate weak muscles and enhance your range of motion.
Since your movement won’t be as restricted as before, thus preventing injuries. This can be beneficial for athletes or anyone that has a physically-taxing job, so you can always perform your best. But of course, stretching and keeping your body in good shape is still recommended to prevent you from getting injured on the job.
Does acupuncture have side effects?
Acupuncture is a safe and non-invasive treatment, and it can be rare to sustain serious negative side effects. But considering everyone can respond differently to acupuncture, some patients can experience short-term effects, such as soreness or bruising on treated areas.
Others may also feel dizziness, fatigue, or drowsiness, that’s why it’s recommended to avoid high-intensity activities after your session. It’s important to let your body rest and keep yourself hydrated.
Acupuncture is also generally safe for everyone, but if you have any metal allergies, blood disorders, or taking anticoagulant medications it would be best to consult your doctor first to find out if acupuncture is the right treatment for you.
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you in interpreting any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.
