Acupuncture is an element of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles and applying heat and electrical stimulation at precise points in the body. When this modality is practiced by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine it’s referred to as medical acupuncture.
Acupuncture is an element of traditional Chinese medicine that involves inserting needles and applying heat and electrical stimulation at precise points in the body. When this modality is practiced by a doctor trained and licensed in Western medicine it’s referred to as medical acupuncture.
Medical acupuncture can be a tremendous tool for treating a wide array of health conditions. In this article we’ll walk through what you need to know to understand medical acupuncture and how it can be used to manage your health and well-being.
How does medical acupuncture work?
When an acupuncture needle is inserted into a specific point in the body it stimulates the nervous system to release chemicals in the muscles, spinal cord and brain. The release of these chemicals can block the incoming pain signal in a localized area, provide general overall pain relief, reduce inflammation, and boost your mood.
Additionally, the improved energy and biochemical balance that acupuncture creates stimulates the body’s natural healing abilities and promotes overall physical, mental and emotional well-being.
What can medical acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture is often associated with pain control, but it’s not limited to this area alone. If you’re working with an experienced and reputable practitioner acupuncture can have much broader applications including promoting overall health and well-being, illness prevention, and treating various injuries and medical conditions.
Medical acupuncture can be used as a stand alone or complementary therapy for headaches, sprains and strains, digestive issues, sciatica, and chronic pain just to name a few.
A qualified practitioner will be able to examine your symptoms and recommend a relevant course of treatment using medical acupuncture.
Is medical acupuncture safe?
Because acupuncture uses needles many people are automatically weary of this treatment method. Unpleasant reactions from acupuncture treatment are actually very rare and precautions are taken to prevent infections, and reduce pain.
The needles used in acupuncture treatments are medically sterilized using the same techniques that would be used for surgical treatments, or practitioners may chose to use disposable needs. Both methods ensure that there is no risk for infection from your treatment.
From a pain standpoint, inserting the needle into the skin is far less painful as having blood taken or receiving a vaccination. Medical acupuncture needles are very thin and solid whereas the needles you would generally think of getting are hollow, and much thicker. Most patients only experience very minimal pain as the need is inserted, and many experience no pain at all. The treatment is not meant to be painful and patients often even find it relaxing.
How do I get started with medical acupuncture?
If you’re interested in exploring medical acupuncture as a treatment option, you want to ensure you’re seeking out a qualified and experienced licensed practitioner like those at OCPBC.
It’s important to work with a qualified health professional to ensure your treatments will be safe and effective.If you have any questions about medical acupuncture of would like to schedule a consultation the team at OCPBC is more than happy to assist you. Get in touch with us today at (561)967-6500.
