What, Exactly, is Acupuncture?
Well, it’s the traditional Chinese medical practice of applying extremely fine needles, heat and/or pressure to highly specified points of the body. This is important and only to be done by a professional due to the length of the needles and how easily they can pierce vital organs if done incorrectly. The theory surrounding the workings of acupuncture is that the human body has a natural energy surrounding it, and any pain is the result of these pressure points needing to be released or redirected in order to restore balance.
Typically four to 10 needles are inserted into the skin and left there while the patient rests, which can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Six to 12 sessions over the course of a three month period are the average amount recommended for optimal pain relief.
Can it Help With Pain?
Ever since the practice of acupuncture was brought to the United States, and other Western countries, around 1971, patients and physicians alike have found acupuncture to be a useful tool when dealing with back and neck pain, knee pain and migraines. It’s also been shown to control unpleasant symptoms during cancer treatments, treating pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
Studies suggest that the effects of acupuncture work well in treating chronic pain, as it reduces the tension that may be causing headaches or migraines. This release of tension also works in relieving other sources of chronic pain. Other studies claim that pain relief is a result of the source of pain, like say within a knee joint, becoming inactive due to the regulation of endorphin levels. Endorphins are the body’s natural chemical for relieving pain.
There’s a lot of mixed evidence surrounding whether acupuncture is actually capable of relieving pain. Some say yes while others vehemently disagree. The overall choice, in whether it’s something worth trying if other pain relief treatments have not worked, is yours to make. Acupuncture treatments do have risks along with it, some serious, especially if you go to an acupuncturist that hasn’t been properly trained. But there are risks with any medical treatment. As long as you go to experts in the field, like the ones at Inspirit Health Group in Vancouver British Columbia, you’re sure to have a safe and pain-free experience.
At Inspirit Health Group, we believe that conscious and comprehensive medical care is the key to healing the body. If there isn’t harmony between the mind, body, and spirit, that when illness and pain can strike. Our mission is to help you find that balance once again. We know our clients by name, treating them as individuals instead of a set of symptoms. Our highly experienced professionals are dedicated to providing holistic patient care specific to your case.
In addition to acupuncture, we also offer services such as massage therapy, allergy testing, naturopathic medicine, clinical counselling, diet counselling and more. If you’re interested in finding balance within your being, call our downtown office or book an appointment online at www.inspirithealth.ca.
