Benefits of Acupuncture

Acupuncture Treats the Entire Body
Traditional Chinese medicine is a holistic approach to health care. Acupuncture focuses on the treatment of all of the bodily systems. This ancient treatment benefits physical health conditions as well as affective disorders. Acupuncture has been routinely used in China for thousands of years, but has only been used in the United States for the last few decades. These days many people are searching for safe and effective alternatives to Western medicine, and acupuncture is often their best option.

Traditional Chinese Medicine vs. Western Views of Acupuncture
There are two views of acupuncture; the Chinese traditional medicine view and the Western medical view. The traditional view deems acupuncture effective in treating external symptoms as well as the spirit. Through acupuncture the body’s natural harmony, the mind, and the soul of a person can be restored. Ying and Yang and Qi (pronounced “chee”) are concepts important in the traditional view of acupuncture.
In the Western world acupuncture is often considered from a treatment point of view. One of the most important benefits of acupuncture in this respect is the total absence of harmful side effects. Most physicians treat illnesses with prescription medications that come with a bevy of side effects. There are few drugs or surgical procedures that are as easy on the body as acupuncture. Though critics may argue that there is always a risk of infection when needles pierce the skin, trained acupuncturists always use sterile needles taken from the package just before insertion and promptly dispose of them afterwards. Because of this the risk of infection as a result of acupuncture is very low.

Yin & Yang
The idea of harmony and balance are the basis of yin and yang. The principle that every individual is governed by opposing complementary forces of yin and yang, is central to all Chinese thought. The body, mind, and emotions are all subject to the influences of yin and yang. When the two opposing forces are in balance people feel good, but if one force dominates the other, it brings out imbalance that can result in ill health. One of the main goals of an acupuncturist is to maintain the balance of yin and yang throughout a person’s body to prevent illness and restore health.

Qi
Qi is the force in the body that gives people the capacity to move, think, feel, and work. The acupuncturist uses needles to access the Qi in order to remove blockages that are causing pain and discomfort. When the blockages are gone, pain and discomfort are relieved. Many believe that the insertion of acupuncture needles disrupts neural pain pathways resulting in diminished pain after treatment.

In modern American society many people cannot afford health insurance, and many can’t afford to take time off for treatments or surgeries. Acupuncture has the benefits of being relatively low in cost and requiring no recovery time. It’s also important to note that acupuncturists’ attempt to treat the entire body, while many doctors are only willing to treat one ailment at a time. For the many people who have grown sick and tired of high costs, low-quality care, ineffective treatments, acupuncture brings hope and relief.  

Most people don’t realize how many conditions can be treated using acupuncture. Acupuncture can treat most types of health problems and disorders. The California State Acupuncture Committee compiled a list of the 25 most commonly treated conditions: 

• Anxiety and depression • Arthritis, tendonitis and joint pain • Asthma and allergies • Auto injuries • Bladder and kidney infections • Cardiac palpitations • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome • Common cold and influenza • Degenerative disk disorders • Diet, nutrition and weight control • Fibromyalgia • Headaches and migraines • High blood pressure • Indigestion, gas, bloating and constipation • Insomnia • Menopause symptoms • Musculoskeletal pain • Nausea • Orthopedic conditions • PMS and menstrual irregularity • Sports injuries • Tension and stress syndromes • Tinnitus • Work injuries and general pain