9 Benefits of Acupuncture for You (Proven)

Not only in China, but also in countries like Germany and the United States, acupuncture is recognized as reliable. In this article, we have summarized 9 benefits that acupuncture will give you.

There are at least 365 acupuncture points on the human body, which are the focal points where meridian qi and blood gather, infuse or pass through the surface of the body, a reaction area, and are connected to the internal organs of the body by meridians.

Based on familiarity with anatomy, Chinese herbalists use acupuncture to adjust the body’s functions to achieve therapeutic effects.

Is there a medical basis for acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a reflex arc composed of receptors, afferent nerves, supraspinal structures, efferent nerves and target organs in the acupuncture point area to complete the reflex process.

In addition, acupuncture can cause changes in the levels of nerve nuclei, cerebrospinal fluid, and bioactive substances in the blood such as endorphins, substance P, and catecholamines, which can slowly and permanently adjust the body’s functions through humoral mechanisms.

During acupuncture, the practitioner needs to review the patient’s physical and mental state and provide psychological suggestion and emotional comfort through appropriate communication, which is also beneficial to the body’s recovery.

Also read: Acupuncture for back pain: Scientific facts

Health Benefits of Acupuncture

Weight loss

Through acupuncture point stimulation, such as abdominal acupuncture with electro-acupuncture instrument micro-current stimulation, can unblock the meridians and blood, adjust the functions of the internal organs, stimulate muscle activity, help the body metabolize toxins and eliminate dampness, reduce appetite, with a balanced diet, can effectively control weight, to achieve the effect of slimming body.

Treating eczema

Many people are troubled by itchy eczema. Acupuncture, bloodletting and cupping can be used to relieve itchiness during flare-ups, and acupuncture with internal Chinese medicine for long-term treatment during the resting period can effectively reduce the scope, frequency, itchiness and allergic reactions.

Beauty

As the saying goes, “What is inside must be outside”, after adjusting the inner body balance, the natural face and physique will be better, and acupuncture can effectively tighten the facial skin and improve wrinkles.

Improve pain

Acupuncture can relieve pain, relax soft tissues such as muscles and fascia, and release tissue adhesions. The scientific theories of acupuncture’s ability to relieve pain include the “Gate Control Theory” and the “Endorphin Theory”. When the nerve channels are filled with acupuncture stimulation, the pain sensation cannot be transmitted to the brain through the channels. Through the stimulation of acupuncture, the brain can release endorphins, which will have a pain-relieving effect.

Adjustment of gastrointestinal function

Some people may experience stomach discomfort when taking Chinese herbal medicine. Through acupuncture points near the abdomen, for example, direct stimulation can improve intestinal peristalsis and, in terms of meridian theory, unblock the meridians of the liver, gallbladder, spleen and stomach, effectively improving gastrointestinal problems such as indigestion, diarrhea and constipation.

Improve sleep problems

Acupuncture stimulates key acupuncture points to achieve a calming effect on the mind. In a large clinical trial of 180 people, acupuncture points of Baihui, Shenting, Sishencong, Shenmen, and Sanyinjiao were used for 6 weeks to improve sleep quality and daytime functional status.

Treatment of mood disorders

Acupuncture stimulates head acupuncture points to open the brain, relieve depression and tranquilize the mind, unblock qi and blood, and increase the secretion of serotonin with the electroacupuncture instrument, which helps relieve depression, relax the body and mind, and improve mood and sleep quality.

Treatment of post-stroke sequelae

Modern medical research has found that acupuncture points can improve oxygen metabolism in the brain, increase cerebral blood flow and blood sugar supply, protect central neurons and reduce the decay of brain neurons; by changing the input of peripheral stimuli, it can also promote the plastic reorganization of cortical functional areas, activate the brain’s inherent neural pathways, reduce the rate of disability, and promote the recovery of patients with post-stroke sequelae.

Aiding Cancer Rehabilitation

Acupuncture is more effective in complementing Western medicine in the treatment of cancer, such as pain relief or improving other side effects. Studies in the United States have also found that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain in women with hormone therapy for breast cancer, helping patients to sustain treatment and improving survival rates.

Also read: Acupuncture vs. dry needling: how to choose?

Who is/is not suitable for acupuncture

The following people are suitable for acupuncture treatment:

• Gastrointestinal problems: indigestion, diarrhea, constipation
• Sleep problems: difficulty falling asleep, dreaming, waking up easily, light sleep
• Emotional problems: anxiety, depression
• Gynecological problems: irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, abnormal leucorrhea, infertility, postpartum conditioning
• Weight Management: Losing Weight
• Skin Problems: Eczema, Psoriasis
• Pain: Headache, frozen shoulder, shoulder, neck and back pain, low back pain, knee pain, elbow pain, heel pain, joint degeneration
• Stroke sequelae, lower motor neuron disease
• health care

Not suitable for people with acupuncture:

• Acupuncture is prohibited below the navel for less than 3 months of pregnancy; acupuncture is not suitable for acupuncture points in the lower abdomen and lumbosacral area that are likely to cause uterine contractions for more than 3 months of pregnancy
• The fontanelle (the unbridged diamond-shaped space in the infant’s skull) is not closed
• Excessive hunger, fatigue, physical weakness
• Mania, emotional instability
• Diabetic skin is difficult to heal
• severe coagulation disorder
• Serious skin infections, ulcers
• Malignant tumors (referring to the condition of some patients, Western medicine does not recommend acupuncture treatment)
• leukemia

Before the acupuncture treatment, the following people should inform the TCM doctor about your situation so as to treat you with caution:

• drug or alcohol intoxication
• use a pacemaker
• have epilepsy
• Have a hematopoietic, coagulopathy, or bleeding disorder such as idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), hemophilia, or use blood thinners such as aspirin and warfarin
• severe skin allergies
• Pregnancy/suspected pregnancy
• Have a blood-borne disease (AIDS, hepatitis B, etc.)

Read more: Risks and side effects of acupuncture

Precautions for Acupuncture Treatment

Before acupuncture

In order to avoid fainting, patients should not receive acupuncture treatment when they are hungry, full, nervous, violent, after all night, after drinking alcohol, after exercise, or when they are overtired. It is recommended to empty the bladder first and wear loose clothing to facilitate acupuncture treatment. Before seeing a doctor, you can sit down and rest for 5 minutes to relax your body, stabilize your mood, improve the curative effect, and avoid needle dizziness.

During acupuncture

During acupuncture, the patient should maintain a comfortable posture and should not change the position and posture to avoid bent or broken needles. Persons with reduced mobility should be accompanied by an escort to take care of them. During acupuncture, there will be acid, numbness, swelling, pain, electricity, and ants in the operation site, which is a normal acupuncture reaction. strength. In case of dizziness, nausea, cold sweating, palpitation, dizziness, difficulty in breathing and other symptoms of needle dizziness during the treatment, please notify the Chinese doctor or medical staff immediately.

after acupuncture

After the silver needles are removed by acupuncture, if there is subcutaneous bleeding or bruising and blood stasis, they can be absorbed and dissipated by themselves, and there is no need to be nervous. After 1-2 days, there may still be residual pain at the acupuncture site and local bruising, which is normal. After the treatment, you can take a bath, work, labor, and exercise as usual. Depending on the physique and age, for example, young and strong people may have a significant improvement after 1-2 treatments, while the elderly and frail people need persistent treatment to improve their physical condition more lastingly and effectively.

Other considerations

stabbed

For pain symptoms, skeletal muscle contractile protein can be significantly recovered after acupuncture, and attention should be paid to rest. After complete recovery, start with a small amount of activity and move gradually to prevent repeated injury of skeletal muscle.

shelter from wind and cold

For symptoms such as low back pain caused by cold, you should keep warm after acupuncture to avoid repeated feelings.

Possible reactions/sequelae after acupuncture

pain

After acupuncture, local acupuncture points may be painful, which is called left needle feeling in traditional Chinese medicine. It is more common in muscles that are stimulated and are still in a tight state. The tightness of the muscles will cause pain when the small peripheral nerves are pressed, basically for 1-2 days. Or after 1 week, it can dissipate on its own, and you can apply heat on your own to relieve pain. In addition, when dealing with adhesions, the doctor will loosen the adhesions through acupuncture. It is normal to experience pain due to local tissue repair.

tired

According to the constitution, age, and illness, after acupuncture and moxibustion, due to the passive adjustment of qi, blood, yin and yang, some people may feel particularly tired, or have sweating, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain, etc., for the normal discharge reaction, it is recommended to drink plenty of water. Rest helps your body regain its balance.