Acupuncture

This therapy has evolved over thousands of years. It is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. Acupuncture points are found on 14 main pathways of which 12 correspond to organ system in Chinese medicine . Acupuncture involves puncturing the skin with hair thin sterile one time use needles on specific points on the body. When needles are inserted they often produce a feeling of heaviness , dull ache, numbness , tingling, warmth but not pain.
Acupuncture can relieve pain, reduce inflammation and restore homeostasis, through different mechanisms like:

  • Promoting blood flow
  • Stimulating the body’s built-in healing mechanism
  • Releasing natural painkillers
  • Reducing the intensity and perseption of chronic pain
  • Relaxing shortened muscle
  • Reducing stress

Needles come in different lengths and thinness. Acupuncture can be achieve without the use of needle as well with acupressure, tunning forks, light therapy, laser and estim. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system to release chemical into the muscles, spinal cord and brain. The biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s own NATURAL HEALING ABILITIES AND PROMOTE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING through the conduction of electromagnetic signals, the Actvation of opioids system  and changes in brain chemistry.

Symptom relief is something we want to achieve with treatment but the goal and the beauty of this medicine is not just to get rid of the symptoms but the ability to change the underlying pattern that is causing symptoms in the first place.

Sources: medicalacupuncture.org