Benefits of Acupuncture
The goal of acupuncture is to balance a person's qi by inserting microscopic needles into the skin. The patient's body is punctured with needles at precise spots that correspond to energy points. This activates the body's own healing processes and aids in reestablishing harmony between the body and mind.
The Principles of Acupuncture
The foundation of conventional acupuncture is the idea that the body is managed by a flow of energy called qi (pronounced "chee") that flows through channels called meridians. Many illnesses, according to acupuncturists, are caused by issues or obstructions with the passage of energy through these meridians. Qi may be blocked by toxins, stress, trauma, hormones, and even the foods we eat.
While some practitioners continue to adhere to the traditional qi theory, others have begun to adopt a more integrative strategy that is backed by science and Western medical ideas. For instance, many modern acupuncturists believe that acupuncture needles act as sites that jolt the body's own pain-relieving and healing mechanisms by stimulating nearby nerves.
Common Conditions That Are Treated With Acupuncture
Acupuncture benefits for pain and the enhancement of general health are two major goals of acupuncture therapy. After surgery or after receiving medical and dental procedures, it may be used to lessen discomfort. Acupuncture is frequently used for muscular and back pain, stress alleviation, and general well-being, and it may be quite helpful for patients with persistent headaches and migraines. Patients with neurological conditions also report success with acupuncture.
Acupuncture can also assist in enhanced immune and neurological system function. In turn, this promotes improved overall health and supports the body's innate capacity to heal itself after illness or damage.
Acupuncture Helps Your Body Heal Naturally
The capacity of the human body to heal itself is astounding. Our bodies manufacture a variety of healing compounds to aid in our recovery when we are ill or damaged. The body's inherent healing processes are activated and reinforced by acupuncture needle stimulation at particular acupuncture locations.
For instance, acupuncture increases endorphin levels, your body's natural analgesics, which help reduce pain. Contrarily, some opioid prescription medications function by simulating the effects of endorphins. Opioid medicines, in contrast to acupuncture, have adverse effects, are addictive, and are known to be responsible for at least 1.5% of overall mortality and 20% of fatalities among persons under the age of 35.
Treatment with Acupuncture Is Safe
According to safety studies, acupuncture is safe for everyone when performed by a licensed acupuncturist, including adults, newborns, kids, the elderly, pregnant women, cancer patients, and those with weakened immune systems.
In 2021, the British Medical Journal released a systematic review on the safety of acupuncture, which came to the following conclusions:
"Acupuncture is among the safer medical procedures, according to some experts. The majority of minor AEs (adverse effects) are very mild, while severe AEs (severe adverse effects) are rare.
The study's authors emphasise that a high degree of acupuncture expertise is responsible for the low occurrence of adverse effects. So, patients should make sure they only consult acupuncturists who are completely certified.
Study on Acupuncture
Tens of thousands of research articles, including randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews, have been published in the past 50 years. They demonstrate that acupuncture is an effective therapy for a range of illnesses.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report on the effectiveness of acupuncture. They found 63 ailments for which there was some evidence that acupuncture would be beneficial, in addition to the 31 conditions for which it has been proven to be effective.
It is no longer possible to claim that acupuncture is just therapeutic for musculoskeletal pain or that its efficacy may be due to the placebo effect.
Long Term Benefits of Acupuncture
Another advantage of acupuncture is that, after finishing a course of acupuncture treatment, many patients see long-lasting improvements in their health.
A significant meta-analysis of research conducted in 2017 on 29 trials and 17,922 individuals with chronic pain indicated that, compared to patients who did not get acupuncture, 90% of the acupuncture benefits were still present after 12 months.
Acupuncture has been shown to have long-lasting impacts on a variety of health issues, including menopausal symptoms, constipation, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and better AMH hormone levels in PCOS patients, among others.
This long-term benefit is due, at least in part, to the neuroplastic changes in the brain that can be brought about by acupuncture treatment. So acupuncture physically rewires your brain to improve function. There are hardly many therapies that can do this.
Health Benefits of Acupuncture
Let's talk about the essential health benefits of acupuncture.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the main reasons people seek acupuncture therapy is stress. According to several studies, acupuncture can help the body produce less cortisol and other stress hormones. Moreover, acupuncture encourages the release of endorphins, which act as natural painkillers and mood enhancers. Moreover, acupuncture helps the nervous system find equilibrium, which reduces feelings of stress and anxiety.
Reduces Chronic Pain
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that several studies demonstrate the effectiveness of acupuncture, particularly for chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis, headaches, and back and neck pain. A review of several studies also showed that acupuncture was more effective than both no treatment and placebo for conditions that cause chronic pain. Acupuncture works as a natural analgesic for chronic pain because it increases the production of endorphins.
Reduces Digestive Problems
In addition to reducing functional disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, and constipation, acupuncture also helps with digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, and peptic ulcers. It helps to improve digestion by balancing the nervous system and gut-brain axis to reduce stress. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), a neuronal network that enables our bodies to relax after periods of stress or concern, is stimulated by acupuncture. As a result, the blood flow through the digestive tract is enhanced. Moreover, it increases the production of digesting enzymes by the salivary gland. Also, it raises intestinal activity, which is crucial for healthy digestion in our bodies.
Enhancing Immunity
According to research, acupuncture increases immunity by controlling the immune system, according to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information. A study of chemotherapy-treated cancer patients also found that acupuncture promotes the development of natural killer cells, a class of white blood cells (WBC) that aid in the defence of virus- or tumor-infected cells. Acupuncture induces the release of cytokines, a protein that controls the operation of the immune system.
Improvement in Sleep
An adult requires 6 to 8 hours of high-quality sleep each night. Also demonstrated to enhance sleep quality is acupuncture. According to clinical trials, acupuncture may be superior to Western medicine in treating sleeplessness. As acupuncture has been shown to lessen stress and anxiety, this will help you sleep better. Stress and anxiety are two major causes of sleep-related issues. The hormone melatonin, which controls the sleep cycle, may be induced by acupuncture; its higher secretion generally leads to better sleep.
Treatment of Migraines and Headaches
Acupuncture is a highly effective treatment for headaches and migraines. According to a study of several studies, acupuncture may be just as effective as prescription drugs at reducing migraine frequency. Acupuncture encourages healthy energy flow throughout the body and eliminates the bad energy that causes discomfort.
Endorphins and other hormones are released during acupuncture. That is why acupuncture benefits for pain and inflammation are effective. Moreover, acupuncture controls the blood flow to the brain, which plays a role in headaches like migraines.
Symptoms of Menopause are Reduced
Menopausal symptoms may be lessened by acupuncture. According to research, acupuncture can lessen heat flashes, mood fluctuations, and sleep disturbances. It is possible that acupuncture relieves menopausal symptoms by promoting the production of progesterone and oestrogen, which control the menstrual cycle. Also, it aids in the regulation of the neurological system, which might contribute to menopausal symptoms.
Conclusion
There are many long term benefits of acupuncture. When carried out by a certified physiotherapist in a safe clinical environment, acupuncture has several advantages. It frequently produces comparable or superior outcomes to contemporary medication without the dangers and adverse effects. The certified acupuncturists make sure you have a great experience with your therapy. who provide acupuncture in Bromley.