People often ask me what are the most common conditions we treat with acupuncture. There are many answers to this, and many ways to use acupuncture to improve the health and lives of our patients. But here are five of the most common applications that I see, just to get the conversation started:
Pain. Pain would rank at the highest: back pain, sciatica, neck pain, shoulder pain, tendonitis, headaches, migraines, and joint pain (i.e. knee pain), to name a few. Pain can range from debilitating to a nuisance, and some pain doesn’t seem to disappear over time. Chronic conditions can lead to daily agony. Acupuncture does offer an unmedicated option in the treatment of pain. More and more studies show acupuncture is an effective treatment in the management of pain. For instance, here’s an article and research on acupuncture for lower back pain. http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1301-new-acupuncture-relief-from-low-back-pain?highlight=WyJwYWluIl0=
Women’s Health. Menstrual irregularities, menstrual cramping, PMS, infertility, and menopausal symptoms are issues addressed with acupuncture. It is amazing how acupuncture can positively affect a woman’s cycle, even after years of irregularity. It’s even more amazing for those women who have conceived after receiving acupuncture for fertility support, after years of trying and countless doctor’s appointments or medicated fertility treatments. Acupuncture is also frequently used in conjunction with IFV (in vitro fertilization) and IUI (in utero fertilization) treatments to enhance effectiveness. Acupuncture helps increase blood circulation to the uterus, ovaries, and pelvic region affecting fertility. Acupuncture can also help in balancing the body as it transitions into perimenopause and menopause. Hotflashes, cloudy headedness, irritability, and insomnia can all be addressed through acupuncture. There are many studies confirming acupuncture’s positive role in the realm of fertility and woman’s health, including the reduction of hot flashes during menopause.
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/380-acupuncturestopsmenstrualpainstudyacupunctureceu?highlight=WyJtZW5zZXMiXQ==
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279714.php
Digestion. Digestive issues plague many people, with many causes and contributing factors, including diet, stress, heredity, among others. Acupuncture can help. People seek acupuncture to treat bloating, gas, acid reflux, irregular bowel movements (either constipation or diarrhea), abdominal pain, and extreme fatigue after eating. An article entitled Acupuncture Soothes provides more background on the positive contribution acupuncture plays in treating these issues. http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1405-acupuncture-soothes-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs?highlight=WyJpYnMiXQ==.
Mental Health. Stress, anxiety, and depression seem to creep into the lives of so many folks. These conditions take their toll on the body mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Acupuncture can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The daily grind of living in NYC can cause our mental health to wax and wane, leading to exhaustion and a myriad of health complaints. Acupuncture triggers hormones to reduce biochemical reactions to stressors, as well as affecting gene expression (see article below) that can lead to depression. This allows our body to react to, and evaluate, stressors differently and helps us to find more mental and emotional balance.
http://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1231-test-reveals-acupuncture-controls-hormones-to-reduce-stress?highlight=WyJzdHJlc3MiXQ==
Immune. Acupuncture can boost the immune system to help prevent illness and can reduce the duration of a germ once it takes hold. Many people come in during the initial onset of a virus, to “knock it out.” There are many studies that show acupuncture’s effectiveness in boosting the immune function. These studies also indicate changes in blood panels post acupuncture treatments, which further validates its positive role.
Most acupuncturists see countless conditions, reflecting the countless ways that acupuncture can improve lives. Viewing the body as a whole entity makes health and healing a complete holistic experience. Taking care of your health and using preventative medicine to enhance your quality of life can make all the difference.
Contributor
Acupuncturist, herbalist, Maya abdominal practitioner, and reflexologist Christina Morris is the founder of Element Natural Healing Arts. Writing about health and wellness gives her an outlet to express her care and concern for her beloved community. She believes everyone can achieve better health and happiness–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.