Acupuncture — we’ve all heard of it. It’s one of the most popular forms of non-western medicine in America. It’s no wonder why; Acupuncture’s benefits aren’t just conjecture, they’re backed up by science.
But what exactly are the benefits of acupuncture?
Sure we’ve all seen images of people with needles sticking out of their bodies. We know that it’s an ancient Chinese practice. We even know that it’s been said to relieve pain: But how much does the common person know beyond that?
Acupuncture goes back to 6000 BCE in China. It developed throughout history to become the respected, storied, and efficient practice that it is today. The fact that it’s been so popular for so long bodes well for anyone looking for alternatives to contemporary Western medicine.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that views health differently from Western medicine. It seeks to treat the mind and body as one unit, looking at the big picture rather than one specific ailment.
If you’re looking to learn more about acupuncture, you’ve come to the right place. This article will walk you through six benefits of acupuncture that you just need to know.
1. Acupuncture Treats Joint Pain
Acupuncture is particularly adept at treating joint pain. As the human body ages, joints become weakened due to the bones rubbing up against the connective tissue in between. This process is hastened and extrapolated due to injuries, or genetic conditions.
Some of the most common sites of joint pain are wrists, knees, necks, and lower backs. Thankfully, acupuncture can treat all of these pains.
While swollen, sore, and inflamed joints are often painful, they’re not always painful-in-themself. Sometimes, deteriorated joints put extra stress on your muscles, causing them to tense up, go into spasms, and otherwise cause you pain. A lot of the time, joint pain is muscle pain in disguise.
Acupuncture is a safe, natural way to relieve your muscle tension. With reduced tension, your body will experience less pain, and your joints will thank you.
2. Acupuncture Treats Migraines
Studies have shown that acupuncture is just as effective at treating migraines as other forms of treatment. This is a landmark realization.
The narrative you’ve been fed that medication is the “ultimate” solution, while alternative medicines are optional bonuses just doesn’t hold up. Acupuncture could work wonderfully in tandem with or in place of standard medical procedures. (And it doesn’t have the side-effects of drugs either.)
Migraines are a tough beast to face. They pop up unexpectedly and can ruin an affected person’s entire day; they’re famously resistant to remedies. One of the long-term benefits of acupuncture is a reduction in the frequency and intensity of migraines.
3. Mental Health
It may be shocking to discover, but one of the most potent benefits of regular acupuncture is relief from anxiety and depression.
One of our specialties at our acupuncture Markham location, is the treatment of anxiety, through a combination of Eastern and Western practices. We believe that combing therapy and medication with something holistic such as acupuncture can help you in your healing journey
While one treatment of acupuncture won’t heal your depression immediately, its effects are real and palpable. People regularly report feeling relaxed, energized, and vibrant after undergoing acupuncture treatment. This could be the key initial boost that a person in depression needs to get on the road to feeling better.
In addition to that, regular acupuncture means regular communication with a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. These practitioners will encourage a more fulfilled, enriched, and spiritual approach to life, which can help you feel as though you’re developing a sense of purpose.
4. It’s a Lifestyle
Acupuncture isn’t just a type of treatment — it’s a lifestyle. While some people choose to get their treatment and get out, many people choose to work the tenants of acupuncture into their everyday life. Just look at the number of books there are on acupuncture.
Learning the basics of Chinese medicine — even if you’re not a practitioner yourself — can give you a crucial foundation for thought, and spark revelations about new ways to live your life. Many of the books quote from traditional Chinese classics of world literature, so you’ll be learning more about culture as well.
5. You’ll Learn About Acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure go hand in hand. Acupressure focuses on certain parts of the human body that are more susceptible to life’s changes than others. Whether you look at this part of the body as storing qi, energy, life-force, or simply down-to-earth scientific tension, everyone can benefit from learning about acupressure.
Acupressure is something that your traditional Chinese medical practitioner will know about. You can ask them to give you some exercises for you to do at home. Performing these exercises will help you continue your pain-free life.
6. Cosmetic Acupuncture
While many people know about acupuncture for pain, few people know about cosmetic acupuncture. Our TCM Markham acupuncture facility focuses on all sorts of acupuncture — whether they’re for your health or your beauty.
Cosmetic acupuncture has been around almost just as long as acupuncture itself and helps people naturally tighten their skin and clear up acne. This mainly works by using very fine needles to generate the production of collagen and elastin to firm the face.
Heal Your Body
As you can see, acupuncture provides you with many options for healing your mind, taking care of your body, and even enhancing your beauty. In an ideal world, everyone would use a combination of Eastern and Western medicine, using the best of both worlds to live a complete and balanced life.
While we’re far away from a perfect world, you can make your life a little more balanced by consulting an acupuncture specialist. For more information, contact us today