Acupuncture is a holistic approach to overall health which has been practiced as part of the traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves the insertion of sterile and very fine needles under the skin at some points in the body. The needles are believed to create a balance between the two opposing forces in the body, which are the yin and the yang. A balance between these two is believed to result in overall wellness or general well-being. One of the major benefits of acupuncture is that it helps you manage pain.
5 benefits of acupuncture for pain management:
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Acupuncture helps stimulate the production of endorphins in the body.
Several studies have shown that acupuncture helps increase the production of endorphins, which are considered to be one of those brain chemicals that reduce pain. The insertion of the fine needles beneath the skin stimulates the body to produce more endorphins. As the level of this hormone rises, the more a person becomes resistant to pain.
Its effect is similar to those of drugs that are used as painkillers. If a person has a condition that does not allow him to take painkillers, acupuncture can be the best option. People who suffer from arthritis, osteoporosis, and from injuries that can result to lots of pain will most likely benefit from this traditional Chinese medicine.
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It is known to be an effective treatment for chronic pain.
Acupuncture is also known to boost the production of serotonin. Serotonin is another brain chemical that is known to improve one’s mood. One study revealed that when a person feels happy and in a good mood, his tolerance to pain increases and his feeling of pain decreases. On the other hand, when a person is feeling low or in a bad mood, his tolerance level to pain goes down and he is prone to feel intense pain with stimuli that might not affect a person who is in feeling great.
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Acupuncture alleviates pain caused by arthritis.
It is believed that a life energy known as “qi” flows through 20 channels that are called the meridians. When the life energy does not flow smoothly, illnesses and pain can result. There are around 2,000 acupuncture points that connect to the meridians and performing acupuncture can result in the smooth flow of the “qi” and help heighten one’s level of pain tolerance. In addition, the muscles that have tightened and impeded the flow of the life energy are loosened through acupuncture. This results to the production of serotonin, which helps reduce the sensation of pain.
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It can relieve pain on the muscles and soft tissues.
Acupuncture has been found to help reduce pain caused by fibromyalgia syndrome. The symptoms of this syndrome are the pain in the muscles and soft tissues. It is believed that acupuncture can affect the trigger points of pain in these parts of the body to help reduce pain.
Although some individuals may be sceptic on the effectiveness of acupuncture, there is absolutely no harm in trying. For as long as acupuncture is facilitated by experts, safety is a sure thing.
