Acupuncture: Relieving Pain With Needles

Acupuncture is Used to Relieve Chronic Pain

​Bearing the pain of an injection needle is a big deal for most of us. What will be our state of mind if doctors say that needles need to be inserted through your skin in various places in the body? Some of us may faint! That’s acupuncture-a form of treatment where thin needles are inserted through the skin at strategic points in the body to stimulate them. This has been practiced by Chinese since ages as a traditional medicine form and followed in other Asian countries as well.

Why Use Acupuncture?
Although researchers aren’t fully aware of the working principles of acupuncture, research shows that acupuncture helps relieve nausea and vomiting after surgery and chemotherapy. It can also reduce pain, trigger your body’s pain-killing chemicals and affect the way your body releases chemicals that regulate blood pressure and flow.

Some other studies prompt that acupuncture may ease chronic pains such as low-back pain, neck pain and osteoarthritis/knee pain. It can also reduce the frequency of tension headaches and prevent migraine headaches.
Between 5 and 20 needles are inserted for a typical treatment and remain in the body for 10 to 20 minutes. A mild tingling sensation or discomfort is felt when the needles are inserted, and no unease is experienced when they are removed.

Risks Involved
Side effects of acupuncture include:

1. Soreness: Minor bleeding, soreness or bruising at the needle site is possible.
2. Organ injury: If needles are pushed too deeply, they can even puncture internal organs, particularly lungs. A certified acupuncture practitioner is 99% not prone to committing such trivial mistakes.
3. Infections: Sterile, disposable needles are mandatory for the treatment. Reusing needles exposes the patient to risks such as hepatitis.
   
   

Acupuncture might not suit certain individuals:

1. Pregnant women: Certain acupuncture types are said to stimulate labor and pave way for premature delivery.
2. Patients with pacemaker: Acupuncture that needs to apply a mild electrical pulse to the needles can disturb a pacemaker’s functioning.
3. Bleeding disorders: People suffering from severe bleeding or on blood thinners need to speak to their physician and inform the acupuncturist beforehand.
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Certain people feel relaxed after the treatment, certain others feel energized and few people experience no difference. If symptoms don’t improve in a few weeks, please get the message that acupuncture is not the right treatment option for your health condition. A healthy eating routine, daily physical activity and a calm state of mind can help relieve stress and reduce the attack of any disease. Pursue a healthy lifestyle with inputs from reputed nutritionists/dietitians at www.firsteatright.com.