Putting a Pin in Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment that can address a wide variety of health problems. Qi is considered the essence of life. If your channels aren’t aligned this can lead to health concerns. Using acupuncture treatments is said to reduce pain and help your energy flow more freely. It uses tiny needles that are placed in certain spots on your body to channel your Qi and restore balance.

The treatment can be used for fertility, pregnancy, depression, chronic pain, migraines, and many other ailments. Simply look for a therapist offering acupuncture Brighton locals can trust, and you can enjoy some of what is described below.

Acupuncture Defined

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice that uses needles to penetrate the skin. Solid metal needles are placed at certain points on the body, depending on your particular problem. The human body has over 2000 acupuncture points and these points are connected via pathways called meridians. These pathways allow your Qi to flow through your body. 

In some treatments, the needles may be heated or a mild electric current passed through them. The hair-thin needles should not cause you any pain or discomfort, unless used incorrectly. This is why it’s important to use a licensed practitioner.

How does it Affect the Body?

The needles stimulate the central nervous system. This releases chemicals into the muscles, your brain and spinal cord. As a result, it causes biochemical changes that promote healing, relieve stress and promote emotional wellness.

Acupuncture is often used to treat conditions like, but not limited to:

• Nausea due to cancer treatments
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Carpal tunnel
• Asthma
• Menstrual cramps

How Long does it Take to Work?

The timeline of when you benefit from the treatment will largely depend on the condition you’re treating and how severe your level of pain is.

If you haven’t treated the condition and have left it to get worse for too long, your neuro-pathways have been conditioned to function in a certain way. The acupuncture clinic treatment needs to re-condition your pathways and teach them to send a different signal to your brain. Your brain needs to “forget” that it’s experiencing pain and block the pain receptors.

The process will be different for each person. Some may notice a difference after only one session, while others may need a few before they enjoy a positive outcome.

Acupuncture and Addiction

Another great benefit of acupuncture is it’s used for addicts. The treatment, when used in conjunction with a professional doctor and rehab, can be used to help the addict quit their addiction. It changes the way the brain feels towards their addiction of choice. If your Qi is in balance then your mind will be as well. This helps one feel more focused and determined to beat the addiction.

It is used to treat behaviour issues and a popular part of family therapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy  

Alternative Treatments

When the Qi becomes unbalanced, it can lead to sickness and pain. Not getting enough sleep, stress or infections can all cause your Qi to become unbalanced. The practise focuses on aligning your Qi by working with opposing energies, known as the Yin and Yang. For even better outcomes, alternative treatments are becoming more popular and offer a host of benefits.

Herbal Solutions

Chinese herbal medicines can be used together with acupuncture treatments. There are over 20 formulas to treat your symptoms.

Cupping Treatment

Cupping can be used in conjunction with acupuncture for faster results. Cupping is a Chinese technique that is used to stimulate the body’s healing process, and speed it up. A special cup applies suction to the skin. This encourages blood flow and the flow of your Qi. It can be used to relieve headaches, improve circulation and relieve sore muscles.

The treatment isn’t painful but you may feel a tight sucking sensation. After a while, the sensation will become relaxing and you should begin to feel calm.

The only disadvantage of this treatment is the fact that it leaves bruise marks on the skin, where the cup was applied. These marks can take up to two weeks to fade.

Dry Needling

This popular alternative treatment involves the therapist inserting sterile acupuncture needles directly into your muscles. These are known as myofascial trigger points. Inserting the needles is said to improve muscle function and decrease pain.

While both treatments use the same type of needles, acupuncture is based on Chinese medicine and works on the meridian system. Dry Needling is the modern alternative based on Western medicine.  It’s commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions and muscle trauma.

Gua Sha Massage

This is a traditional East Asian massage technique that uses a jade stone to massage the surface of the skin. If you have an injury or imbalance, this is known as “Gua” the Chinese word for scrape. The stone is used to scrub the skin. This is known as “Sha” and it’s said to improve blood flow and help your Qi flow better.

Other benefits of this treatment include a reduction in inflammation, improved levels of chronic pain and relief from muscle tension.

Final Thought

Acupuncture treatment has been used for thousands of years and has proven health benefits. It keeps gaining in popularity because it works and those that experience the treatment have improved health and less pain. Other alternative therapies can be used together with acupuncture for even better results. Which ones do you need to improve your quality of life?