As more and more people make the decision to live healthier lifestyles, they also start to consider alternative healing methods and treatments to traditional medicine too. A lot of people are concerned about taking prescriptions, preferring to keep an open mind about natural remedies instead.
This is something that I’ve been looking into myself, and along the way, I’ve discovered that there are many health benefits surrounding acupuncture. Whether you’re familiar with this term or not, it’s definitely something you should consider, and hopefully today’s post should explain why…
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a kind of alternative or complementary therapy that can often seem strange and unusual to a lot of people, but it’s nothing to be worried about. Originating in China, it’s been used for thousands of years in Eastern culture, but is relatively new to the western medical world.
After undergoing a clinical consultation to identify where you need treatment, a set of very thin needles will be inserted into your skin in specific places on the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, health is the result of harmony between the extremes of yin and yang within the body. Qi (life energy) is said to then flow through the body along pathways, but during any kind of illness, this flow of energy is imbalanced.
By placing these needles into specific points, they are said to be able to reach these pathways and restore the proper balance back to the body. Of course, in Western medicine, acupuncture is explained in much simpler terms; by inserting these very thin needles into places where nerves, muscles and connective tissue can be stimulated, it is said to increase blood flow. This in turn triggers the release of a natural painkiller within the body.
Whether you prefer the traditional Chinese description or the Western explanation, both cultures can agree that acupuncture seems to have genuine health benefits for the patients that look to it for treatment.
What are the health benefits?
When performed correctly, acupuncture is safe with very few side effects. It can often be a very effective method for controlling pain and is a useful alternative for patients who do not want to or cannot take pain medications.
Physiotherapists often use this as a complementary therapy to other treatment, but acupuncturists can treat a wide range of health conditions, including everything from headaches, lower back pain and osteoarthritis, to infertility, anxiety and even asthma.
It’s important to remember though that you should always consult a professional when considering this type of therapy. They’ll be able to discuss with you whether this kind of treatment is appropriate for your medical condition. For example, at Northwich Foot Clinic, you’ll be guaranteed a qualified physiotherapist who has used acupuncture for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, shoulder stiffness and knee pain.
I hope you found today’s blog post useful – have you tried acupuncture? Please feel to leave me a comment and let me know how you got on!
