Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine treatment. It has been practiced for hundreds of years and originated in Asia. There are many people who truly believe in the benefits of acupuncture and get regular treatments. It uses thin needles to poke through various parts of the body to treat and relieve symptoms of many different types of ailments, diseases and health conditions. Acupuncture stimulates nerves, muscles and connective tissues. It is most commonly used to relieve pain, pressure and increase blood flow throughout the body.
Acupuncture Treatment
There are a variety of ways that acupuncture may be done depending on what health issue is being treated. The acupuncture practitioner will ask you about your concerns and overall health. They will examine your body and discuss your treatment goals. The points used for acupuncture are located all over the body. Acupuncture treatment involves inserting thin needles into specific places of the body. There may be up to 20 needles used. The needles are then gently adjusted and moved. Mild electrical currents and heat or cold may be applied. The needles will stay in place for a given period of time (generally 20 minutes) and then gently removed.
Acupuncture Uses
Acupuncture is used to treat a wide variety of conditions including dental pain, back aches, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, arthritis, anxiety, fertility issues, neck pressure and pain, migraines, nausea, muscle pain, sweating and to increase blood flow throughout the body.
Acupuncture is safe to be performed on most people but there are some people with certain conditions that should not have it done. People that suffer from bleeding disorders, are on certain medications (such as blood thinners) and require a pacemaker should not have acupuncture done. Pregnant women should also not have acupuncture done. It is important to check with your family doctor to make sure that acupuncture is a safe option for you.
Acupuncture Risks
Acupuncture does have some risks involved. To minimize the amount and type of risks that you are exposed to you should research the acupuncture practitioner that you are planning to use. You should look up the practitioner’s training, credentials, and reviews. You should also make sure that you are having acupuncture done in a clean and sanitary environment. The certified acupuncturist should use sterile instruments that are disposed of after use. A few of the most common risks associated with acupuncture treatment include soreness, pain, bleeding, bruising, infections and injury.
Benefits
Acupuncture may help to relieve stress, sweating, nausea, anxiety and other conditions in some people, but the results are mixed. Some people swear by acupuncture, and others believe that it has had no effect on their symptoms or condition. If you are considering having acupuncture done you should first speak with your doctor to ensure it is a good and safe option for you.
Acupressure
Acupressure is another common type of alternative medicine practice. It is like acupuncture but does not use needles. Acupressure is performed by a certified professional and involves using the feet, hands, fingers or elbows to apply pressure to certain acupoints on the body. An acupressure session generally takes one hour. The person receiving acupuncture will lay down fully clothed on a massage table. Acupressure may also include massage and stretching exercises. Acupressure is used to restore health and balance. It is also often used to treat a variety of health concerns including nausea, vomiting, stress, body pain, headache, arthritis, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and others. Acupressure usually requires a few treatments to have noticeable results. If you are considering acupressure, it is important to speak with your doctor first to ensure that it is a good option for you.