For decades, acupuncture has been dismissed when it comes to being used as a Western medicine. However, as time has gone on, there is now a growing amount of evidence that supports the benefits of using this ancient treatment. Chinese acupuncture has been practiced for over 3,000 years and is influenced by our body's energy and pathways. It is used to help people that are suffering from a physical or mental illness, pain, discomfort, or to try and improve the function of a certain area, such as the digestive system. Fine sterilized needles are inserted into specific acupuncture points in the body in an attempt to restore balance and trigger the natural healing response of the body. Today, we will be exploring the benefits of acupuncture.
Pain Relief
According to scientific research, acupuncture has the ability to reduce pain by 50%. While this evidence is considered to be mixed, when it comes to treating back, neck and shoulder pain, plus osteoarthritis and headaches, there is an extremely high success rate. Acupuncture needles relieve pain by stimulating the sensory nerves found in the muscles and under the skin, which promotes the body's release of pain-relieving neurotransmitters and neurohormones, like endorphins. Finding a local and reliable acupuncturist, such as Covent Garden Acupuncture, is therefore essential before you book an appointment.
Mental Support
More and more people are turning to acupuncture to relive stress. There have been studies carried out that support the fact that acupuncture reduces the levels of a protein, known as neuropeptide Y, which has been found in high amounts in humans suffering from chronic stress. Studies also suggest that it has the ability to reduce anxiety and relieve the symptoms of depression. Electroacupuncture is thought to be as effective as medication for mental health problems, such as antidepressants.
Boosts Fertility
Studies have indicated that the chances of a woman falling pregnant can be boosted by 65% when they have undergone fertility acupuncture. It has been said to help the body regulate hormone function, which is essential for fertility. It relaxes the muscles and increases the amount of blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, which also helps to tackle the effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a very distressing condition that can make it almost impossible for women to have children and causes other symptoms that can also be helped by acupuncture.
Improves Memory
Some evidence has suggested that acupuncture has the ability to improve your memory by fighting off cognitive decline related to age, especially when it is combined with other treatment. It also helps to improve the working memory of young adults and improve subtle memory loss, that can precede in the development of conditions like dementia. There are many things you can and should do to look after your brain health in order to reduce the risk of developing these medical conditions in the future.
When carried out correctly, acupuncture has the ability to help you in more ways than you may have imagined. Just make sure you do your research into the medicine, you are fully aware of the risks, and that the acupuncturist you visit is genuine and experienced.
Nish
Voracious reader, vegetarian foodie, mostly armchair traveler, and frequent online shopper. I love to talk about all these passions (and other things happening in my life) in this blog.
