Acupuncture is being utilized more and more for general wellness, which includes stress reduction. In acupuncture, tiny needles are inserted under your skin at specific locations on your body.
Acupuncture is described in traditional Chinese medicine as a means of restoring equilibrium to the flow of life force, sometimes referred to as chi or qi (chee), which is said to pass through your body along paths called meridians. Acupuncture practitioners think that your energy flow will rebalance by placing needles into precise locations along these meridians.
This Chinese traditional treatment helps in curing many types of health issues, mostly chronic diseases like arthritis, back pain, headache, knee pain, menstrual cramps, and sports injuries. Modern acupuncture uses needles to stimulate your body’s systems; it applies to Western medicine. Many acupuncturists blend the two techniques.
Understanding Acupuncture
What Is It?
In acupuncture, tiny needles are inserted into the skin at particular bodily locations. This type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine.
How Does It Work?
It is believed that acupuncture sites activate the central nervous system. Chemicals are released into the brain, spinal cord, and muscles as a result. These metabolic alterations might promote the body’s innate capacity for healing. They could improve one’s physical and emotional well-being.
What Does Acupuncture Help With?
Benefits
Many conditions can benefit from acupuncture, such as:
Pain: Acupuncture helps relieve joint pain from breast cancer medications as well as pain from osteoarthritis in the knee, neck, and back. In addition, it can ease headaches, menstrual cramps, and dental discomfort.
Sickness and nausea: Acupuncture can help with vomiting and nausea brought on by chemotherapy or surgery.
Fibromyalgia: The effects of acupuncture can extend the duration of treatment for fibromyalgia symptoms, up to one month.
Labor pain: Acupuncture is a useful treatment for labor pain.
Obesity: Losing weight and managing obesity may be aided by acupuncture.
Immune system problems: Acupuncture may be able to help.
Infertility: Acupuncture may be able to aid in the process.
Menopause: The effects of menopause may be mitigated with acupuncture.
How To Perform Acupuncture To Relieve Pain And Congestion
How To Perform?
In order to relieve pain, acupuncture uses needles inserted into particular bodily locations. Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine method that involves applying pressure to certain body locations to alleviate pain. Usually, the acupuncturist will place four to ten needles and leave them there while you rest for ten to thirty minutes. Typically, a three-month therapy regimen consists of six to twelve sessions.
Pressure Points: The body has a large number of acupuncture sites, some of which are frequently employed to treat particular ailments:
Large intestinal 4 (LI 4): This spot, which is situated in the fleshy web between your thumb and index finger, can stimulate the immune system and relieve pain, particularly in the face.
Liver No. 3 (LR-3): This point, which is situated on top of the foot between the big and second toes, is said to have balancing effects on emotional energy, menstrual regulation, and headache relief.
Spleen 6 (SP-6): This spot, which is around three finger widths above the inner ankle bone, is beneficial for immune system illnesses, gastrointestinal issues, and hormonal issues such as irregular menstruation.
San Jiao 21’s Ear-gate: This spot, which is situated between the ear and the top of the jawbone, helps relieve ear discharge, lip stiffness, tinnitus, and toothaches.
Kidney 21 (KID21): This location, which is on each side of the middle of your stomach and the upper stomach region right below the breast bone, can aid with nausea and vomiting.
Yin Tang: This point, which is situated directly above the nose in the middle of the eyebrows, helps ease restlessness, anxiety, dread, and insomnia.
Things To Consider When Doing Acupuncture
Downsides
There are not many risks involved in receiving acupuncture from a trained, certified professional using sterile needles. Side effects from needlesticks often include soreness, minor bleeding, and bruising. The likelihood of infection is minimal because single-use, disposable needles are now the standard.
Acupuncture is not suitable for everyone. Additionally, one should definitely inform the practitioner if they have a pacemaker or are pregnant, just to avoid any possible risks.
Conclusion
Although some appointments may be substantially shorter, an acupuncture treatment can last up to sixty minutes. One or two treatments per week would normally be part of a standard treatment regimen for a specific ailment. The severity of the ailment being treated will determine how many treatments are necessary. Six to eight treatments are typically given.
After receiving acupuncture, some patients report feeling calmer and others are more energized. However, not everybody reacts well to acupuncture. Acupuncture might not be for you if, after a few weeks, your symptoms don’t start to get better.
FAQs
Yes, acupuncture can treat congestion and other sinus issues. It boosts the immune system, which in turn prevents future sinus problems. Acupuncture can also reduce pain levels by releasing endorphins and reducing inflammation.
Chinese medicine is the foundation of acupuncture, which has been used for thousands of years to relieve pain and congestion.
Acupuncture point LI4, which is located on the hand between the thumb and the index finger can help relieve sinus congestion. Additionally, acupuncture point LI20, located on the base of the nose can help relieve sinus pressure.
Pain medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) can be used to manage pain brought on by pressure building and congestion.
By activating sensory nerves, acupuncture can reduce pain by stimulating the body to release endorphins and other naturally occurring analgesics.
When performed by a trained professional, acupuncture is usually safe, however, there are a few possible hazards and side effects to be aware of:
Pain, bruising, and bleeding: A small number of patients may have mild, transient bruising, bleeding, or pain where the needle was inserted.
Infection: If the needles are not sterile, there is a risk of infection.
Organ damage: Rarely, an organ may be punctured by a needle that is put inappropriately.
Pacemakers: Light electrical pulses used in acupuncture may cause interference with pacemakers.
Pregnancy: Acupuncture spots that trigger labor may result in an early birth.
Blood thinners: Individuals with bleeding disorders or those using blood thinners may be more likely to hemorrhage.
