5 Surprising Health Benefits Of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine having a Chinese origin. In this method, the practitioner inserts thin needles into the body of the patient.
This pseudoscience is quite popular in China and is a key component of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There is a diverse range of acupuncture theories based on different ideologies. The techniques used by the practitioners vary from region to region and cannot be generalized as such. It is most often used for pain relief, though it is also used for a wide range of other medical problems and conditions.
However, it is generally used only in combination with other forms of treatment and is yet to establish an independent identity for itself.
Here, we have brought you the top five health benefits of acupuncture –
Back pain is one of the most common chronic pain issues. Nowadays people workout to get faster results be it to shed weight or gain weight and at times to get relieve from pain but Acupuncture, of late, is being used to give people some relief from it. It is probably the most well-known and celebrated positive effects of acupuncture on the human body.
Studies have shown that it has an incredible role in alleviating the symptoms of the disorder. This traditional therapy targets at the ‘acupuncture points’ for back pain and by stimulating these points, some parts of the nervous system also get stimulated providing relief from pain. Although, the scientific logic behind the process is not understood completely, yet it has evolved as a reliable and effective source of relief.
Acupuncture has also been found instrumental in curing insomnia. It is said to increase the secretion of nocturnal melatonin, which is a chemical found in human body helpful in inducing sleep. The patients undergoing acupuncture have been found to fall asleep faster and were less aroused and stressed at night as compared to others.
The study has concluded that ‘Acupuncture treatment may be of value for some categories of anxious patients with insomnia.’. Another study revealed that acupuncture can improve the quality of sleep in patients with HIV, among whom sleep disturbance is a common issue. Just five weeks of a strictly followed acupuncture routine can bring amazing results.
Amongst the lesser-known benefits of acupuncture is its role in reducing headache and migraine. A headache is a common result of muscle contraction in the head and neck. Acupuncture is known to provide effective and long-lasting relief for tension headaches without any side effects like in the case of painkillers. It relieves pain naturally by relaxing muscular tension. Over time, it has evolved as a powerful non-pharmacological tool in the management of tension headaches.
A number of studies have been carried out for studying the possible effects of acupuncture on patients with depression and anxiety. Although, like other benefits of acupuncture, the exact mechanism is yet to be understood and under research, yet many possible theories have been proposed. Trials carried out on various patients under medical supervision have shown a positive correlation between reduced anxiety levels and acupuncture. Besides, the side effects of anti-anxiety drugs can be quite acute, including nausea and sudden mood swings. Hence, rather than depending largely on anti-anxiety drugs and medicines trying alternatives like acupuncture is a smart choice!
Regular sessions of acupuncture have been proven to reduce symptoms of indigestion significantly. A study conducted by Brazilian researchers found out significant differences between digestive symptoms of pregnant women who used acupuncture against those who simply altered their diet and relied on medicines.
Employing acupuncture for digestive problems works by nourishing the involved body organs and reducing the symptoms of inflammation of the stomach. During an acupuncture session, the practitioner identifies certain acupuncture points on the body, typically those that speed up metabolism and regulate the functioning of small and large intestines thus reducing stomach acidity to normal levels and improving digestion.
Thus, these were some of the lesser-known health benefits of acupuncture. Rather than relying on conventional methods of treatment and medication, giving a shot to techniques like acupuncture can actually make the patient’s life a lot easier as it doesn’t have any significant side effects.
Acupuncture is known to help people struggling with many other common issues, for instance, it can help to quit smoking, improve eyesight or possibly cure myopia, balancing of hormones etc. Ongoing research on these subjects will bring facts to the forefront in the coming years, but at the moment, verified scientific proofs and backup are not abundant.
Sara O Brown is a working mom, lives with her dentist husband and her adorable dog, Casper. She is passionate about traveling and cooking. She has been writing for https://www.jackcodengroup.com/
