Acupuncture is a conventional Chinese medical practice that involves inserting tiny needles into specific body points to promote balance and healing. The reasoning behind this treatment is that the body has a crucial energy known as qi that flows through pathways known as meridians. If this energy flow is imbalanced or blocked, it can cause health problems. Acupuncture restores the proper flow of this energy, thus enhancing health and well-being.

Understanding Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a procedure that involves the use of sterile, thin needles that are inserted strategically into the skin. This treatment originated from traditional Chinese medicine, and its popularity is increasing because of its incredible benefits. Acupuncture may help relieve chronic pain, particularly in conditions like low back pain and headaches.

This treatment involves stimulating sensory nerves in the muscles and under the skin. The body will start releasing natural substances like pain-relieving endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for the beneficial effects experienced with acupuncture.

Some patients report feeling relief after several sessions, though responses vary widely. Conventional acupuncture is based on the belief that life force or energy flows through the body in channels known as meridians. The life force is also called Qi or ‘’chi.’’ Doctors who conventionally use acupuncture claim that when Qi fails to flow freely in the body, an illness can result. Experts also allege that acupuncture treatment can restore Qi's flow and health.

How Acupuncture Is Carried Out

An initial acupuncture procedure often takes 20 minutes to one hour. The doctor will examine your general health, perform a physical assessment, and probe into your medical history. The insertion of the acupuncture needles will follow this. Courses of treatment involve several different sessions.

The doctor will insert the needles into specific points on the body, which are known as acupuncture points. You will be required to lie down or sit down during the procedure. The doctor can also request that you remove some clothes to enable them to access certain parts of your body. These needles are a few centimeters long and are very fine. Sterile, single-use needles are now standard in regulated settings.

The doctor will choose specific points to insert the needle. Depending on the number of symptoms you have, he/she will insert the needles at several points during a typical session. The needles will be inserted under the skin and penetrate deeper to reach the muscle. Your acupuncture practitioner will leave the needles in place for a few minutes to 30 minutes. You could feel a dull ache or tingling when the needles are inserted. However, you should not experience significant pain.

Benefits Of Acupuncture

The following are some of the benefits of acupuncture:

Emotional Well-Being

Acupuncture positively influences your emotional well-being by balancing the energy in the body and improving your mood. It is ideal if you have depression, anxiety, and PTSD. After acupuncture sessions, you will experience a significant sense of balance and improved emotional health, making it a valuable addition to your mental health care.

Acupuncture is a holistic approach that considers health's mental, emotional, and physical aspects. This makes acupuncture a comprehensive treatment, which improves not only the physical but also the emotional well-being.

Allergy Relief

Allergic symptoms can be addressed effectively through acupuncture. The treatment achieves this by modulating your immune system. With regular acupuncture treatments, conditions like asthma and hay fever can significantly improve. Acupuncture is effective in reducing allergic symptoms and promoting general respiratory health. Chinese scientists claim that acupuncture relieves symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing. The procedure helps to reduce allergic reactions by targeting specific points that influence the immune response.

Supports Fertility

Acupuncture has gained popularity for its ability to support fertility treatments. It can improve fertility outcomes by balancing hormones and improving blood flow to reproductive organs. Research published in the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology revealed that acupuncture increases pregnancy rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments.

Acupuncture’s holistic approach makes it a supportive therapy for women experiencing fertility challenges. This treatment creates favourable conditions for conception by reducing stress and enhancing hormonal balance. A pregnant woman can undergo acupuncture treatment safely. However, you should let your doctor know if you are pregnant because specific acupuncture points are not safe for pregnant women.

Digestive Health

Acupuncture treatment also promotes digestive health by addressing problems like indigestion, bloating, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It improves digestion and alleviates discomfort by promoting better gut health and regulating digestive functions.

Can Relieve Headache

Acupuncture treatment is recommended if you experience frequent headaches or migraines. This treatment works by reducing muscle tension around the neck and head and improving the flow of blood. Acupuncture is effective in reducing the severity and frequency of headaches. Most people prefer acupuncture because of its natural approach, and it does not have side effects.

Boosted Immunity

Acupuncture supports the immune system by balancing the immune responses of the body. This treatment helps to prevent illnesses like the flu, colds, and infections. Acupuncture can enhance immune function by promoting the production of immune cells. This makes acupuncture ideal for maintaining general health and protecting the body against common diseases. Acupuncture can stimulate anticancer immunity through activation of natural killer cells. You will develop a strong immune system if you undergo regular acupuncture sessions.

Mental Clarity

Acupuncture treatment can improve your focus and mental clarity. This treatment is known to improve cognitive function by enhancing blood flow to the brain and reducing mental fatigue. You could be the best candidate for acupuncture if you experience brain fog or concentration issues.

Improved Sleep

Acupuncture treatment is also used to address sleeping disorders by calming the mind and balancing the energy flow in the body. This treatment is vital in improving sleep quality and addressing problems like insomnia. Patients experience better sleep patterns and feel refreshed if they undergo acupuncture treatment.

You will sleep well if you add acupuncture to your sleep hygiene routine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reveals that acupuncture greatly improves the quality of sleep in people with chronic insomnia. An acupuncture practitioner can reset the natural sleep-wake cycle in your body by focusing on specific points related to sleep regulation.

Stress Reduction

Acupuncture treatment is popular for its calming effects, making it a go-to treatment for anxiety and stress. This treatment relieves stress symptoms by regulating cortisol levels and stimulating the production of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. You will experience reduced anxiety and a significant sense of relaxation after acupuncture sessions. This makes acupuncture an effective treatment for improving mental health and managing daily stress. The stress-relieving benefits of this treatment will also extend to physical symptoms. You will find relief through regular acupuncture treatments if you experience stress-induced headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues. The treatment reduces stress hormone levels, promoting relaxation and calmness.

Relieves Pain

Acupuncture is popular for its ability to relieve chronic pain. This treatment can greatly relieve pain in migraines, arthritis, and back pain. The procedure stimulates specific points, releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. It also enhances blood flow, reduces pain, and improves function. You will experience significant relief from pain after acupuncture treatments.

The Potential Complications of Acupuncture

Acupuncture is considered safe but carries some risks like any other medical procedure. The common complications related to acupuncture include:

Allergic Reactions

Some patients can experience allergic reactions to the needles or other materials used during acupuncture.

Needle Breakage

Though rare, needles can break during manipulation or insertion, leaving fragments in the body.

Organ Puncture

In rare situations, internal organs like the lungs or other abdominal organs can get punctured during insertion.

Nerve Damage

Sometimes, the needles can damage the nerves, causing tingling, numbness, and pain.

Infection

There is a risk of infection if proper hygiene is not observed or the needles are not sterile.

Vasovagal Reactions

Vasovagal reactions include lightheadedness, fainting, or dizziness, particularly if you are anxious or susceptible to these reactions.

Headache, Fatigue, or Nausea

Sometimes, patients can experience temporary headaches, fatigue, or nausea.

Bleeding, Bruising, or Soreness

Bleeding, bruising, or soreness are potential side effects of the treatment, but they are often mild and short-lived.

The following factors often contribute to the above risks:

Specific Medical Conditions

You should consult your doctor first before undergoing acupuncture, and if you have the following conditions:

  • Pregnancy

  • A heart condition that requires you to use a pacemaker

  • Bleeding disorders

Deep Needle Penetration

You risk suffering nerve or organ damage if acupuncture involves deep needle insertion.

Inexperienced or Unqualified Practitioners

Inadequate hygiene, incorrect acupuncture, and improper procedures can increase the risk of adverse events.

Acupuncture For Cancer-Associated Pain

Acupuncture works as part of an integrative cancer treatment. Integrative oncology is patient-centered cancer care. It uses traditional cancer treatments alongside lifestyle modifications, natural products, and mind and body practices. The following are the benefits of acupuncture for cancer patients:

Addressing Chronic Pain In Cancer Survivors

Most cancer survivors experience chronic pain years following their treatments. Some survivors are slowed by that pain, but acupuncture could be an effective pain remedy. Acupuncture can address pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints.

Relieving The Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment

Patients respond to cancer treatment differently. Some patients experience side effects if cancer treatment damages healthy cells. The side effects can range from severe to mild, and it is vital to find ways to manage the effects. A patient can enjoy a quality life and remain on schedule with treatments if the symptoms are managed.

Acupuncture may reduce reliance on pain medication in some cancer patients, though it rarely eliminates the need entirely. The acupuncture treatment can relieve various symptoms related to cancer treatments, including:

  • Peripheral neuropathy is a chemotherapy side effect that causes numbness, pain, and muscle weakness in the feet or hands.

  • Pain, including muscle, postoperative, and joint pain from hormone therapy

  • Nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy

  • Hot flashes related to hormone therapy

  • Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy and chemotherapy

  • Dry mouth caused by radiation therapy

Diabetes And Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be beneficial for diabetic patients in the following ways:

  • Help with weight loss

  • Improve insulin resistance

  • Adjust the balance of hormones that affect blood sugar regulation, for example, epinephrine, glucocorticoids, insulin, and melatonin.

  • Improve blood glucose management.

  • Protect the pancreas islet function, which is responsible for insulin production.

Acupuncture For Chronic Pain

For a long time, acupuncture has been a recognized treatment for chronic pain. The treatment is effective in treating the following conditions:

  • Neck and back pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Chronic headache

  • Osteoarthritis

Acupuncture has provided an ideal alternative to opioids since doctors are always eager to find drug-free methods of dealing with chronic pain. Some of the common opioids include morphine, codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet, among others.

In cases that do not involve palliative, cancer, or end-of-life care, doctors are turning to other treatments for chronic pain. A growing number of people continue to recognize the value and effectiveness of acupuncture.

Acupuncture And Menstrual Cramps

Some women have a condition known as dysmenorrhoea, which often leads to extremely painful menstrual cramps. Acupuncture can help relieve the pain associated with menstrual cramps. However, research is still ongoing on the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating menstrual cramp pain.

Acupuncture And Fertility Treatments

Acupuncture can make a big difference for women trying to get pregnant with time-consuming and expensive fertility treatments. This procedure increases the success rate of fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization. Acupuncture can also make it easier for women to conceive by:

  • Enhancing blood flow to the uterus

  • Relieving stress and anxiety experienced by women undergoing fertility treatments

Acupuncture For Arthritis

Some of the leading benefits of seeking acupuncture treatment for arthritis are:

  • It is a drug-free method of easing your pain

  • It can reduce side effects like fatigue and nausea that are associated with arthritis treatments

  • It can decrease the need for anti-inflammatory and nonsteroidal drugs, or other medications used in managing pain

  • Acupuncture also has anti-inflammatory effects, and this can help reduce pain and swelling in the joints

Most people often ask about how long the effects of acupuncture for arthritis last. How long the effects of the treatment last depends on several factors, including:

  • A patient’s general health

  • How long do the acupuncture sessions last

  • How many previous acupuncture sessions a patient has had

  • The pain location

  • The additional treatments the patient is receiving

You can request your acupuncturist to advise you on how long the effects of treatment will last, depending on your condition. An acupuncturist can also suggest ways of extending the benefits of the treatment.

How To Prepare Before An Acupuncture Treatment

Preparing before your acupuncture treatment is crucial to ensure that you reap the most benefits from the treatment. Especially if you are new to this treatment, knowing what to avoid before the treatment is just as crucial as knowing what to do. Here are some of the things you should avoid doing before your acupuncture treatment:

  • Do not eat heavy meals or skip meals; instead, you should eat light meals

  • Avoid consuming alcohol and other stimulants

  • Do not overwork yourself physically

  • Do not fail to share your medical history with the acupuncturist

  • Do not brush your tongue before the appointment because acupuncturists examine the tongue when diagnosing patients and determining the ideal treatment

Some of the things to do include:

  • Wear comfortable clothing

  • Stay hydrated

  • Arrive early and relax

Caring For Yourself After An Acupuncture Treatment

Your doctor can recommend steps to follow to take care of yourself after the acupuncture procedure, particularly during the first 24 hours. Some of the steps include:

  • Going for a massage is important for conditions like cervical spondylosis

  • Avoid using ice packs because they affect the body's energy flow. You can, however, use heat packs.

  • Eat a healthy diet, including proteins, vegetables, fruits, and plenty of water. You should avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

  • Rest and take it easy, even if you feel strong. It is vital to avoid strenuous exercises.

The pain you feel during the procedure will clear after the treatment. You can experience pain or intensified symptoms for several days because of the treatment. However, the pain should reduce within a few days. Any mild bruising will also clear up after a few days. Consult your acupuncturist or doctor if you experience any abnormal symptoms after the treatment.

Who Should Not Undergo Acupuncture Treatment

Acupuncture is considered a safe procedure, but some patients should approach the treatment with caution or avoid it. You might not be a good candidate for acupuncture if:

  • You have a bleeding disorder

  • Taking anticoagulants

  • You have an active infection, especially a cutaneous malignancy

  • Delusions or psychosis

  • Some acupuncture points should be avoided during pregnancy

Find A Reliable Acupuncturist Near Me

Acupuncture is a wholesome treatment that seeks to achieve overall wellness by enhancing the proper flow of energy in the body. Before undergoing acupuncture, you should consult a trained and experienced acupuncturist to ensure that the procedure is safe for you. When performed by an expert, the procedure poses minimal risks. If you seek expert acupuncture treatment in Los Angeles, CA, consult the Art of Chinese Healing. Our acupuncturists have years of experience in providing acupuncture treatment. Contact us at 310-405-1610 to speak to one of our experts.