Are you dealing with chronic pain? Is the daily stress of work and life in general leaving you with headaches and anxiety? Have you tried a wide range of over-the-counter and prescribed medications to ease your pain without much success? If so, then it may be time to consider a more holistic approach.
Many Australians who are looking for a gentler, more effective approach to everything from headaches to chronic back pain are opting for a few sessions of acupuncture Bentleigh health professionals are offering. This post takes a closer look at how acupuncture works. We also highlight the most common conditions that acupuncture can assist you with.
Understanding Acupuncture
As one of the oldest forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture has been favoured by holistic healers for centuries. This process involves a skilled acupuncturist inserting thin needles into specific trigger points on the body. Also referred to as acupuncture points, these trigger points are linked to the central nervous system. Once the needles are applied, the trigger points release endorphins.
These endorphins are typically pain-relieving chemicals, which means treating them can provide pain relief. In Chinese medicine, these pathways are commonly referred to as meridians, and their stimulation can rebalance the flow of “qi”, or life force, in the body. This promotes well-being and general pain relief.
There is no hard and fast rule for the number of acupuncture sessions an individual will need. Rather, the number of sessions needed will depend on the following factors:
- Current health
- Contributing conditions and type of ailment
- Treatment history
- Your body’s initial reaction to the first few treatment sessions
Based on this, your acupuncturist may suggest one or two treatments per week for the first six weeks. Depending on your body’s response, these initial sessions are then followed up with one monthly session. Treatment of chronic pain conditions may require additional or more frequent treatments.
Provides Relief for Many Different Ailments
One of the top reasons why acupuncture is so popular is that it can be used to treat a wide range of ailments. No matter what your age, current health, or fitness level, it’s almost guaranteed that a few acupuncture sessions will help you find relief for any ailment or condition you’re dealing with. To highlight how versatile this treatment is, our team of holistic healers has compiled a list of the top conditions that a few acupuncture sessions can help you with.
1. Chronic Lumbar and Lower Back Pain
Back pain is a common ailment that everyone will suffer from at some point in their lives. For some people, this can be a chronic condition that seriously hampers their daily quality of life. Fortunately, acupuncture can be used as an adjunctive therapy.
This means that combining a few sessions with your regular treatment will provide relief and often allow the patient to go back to doing regular daily activities, such as walking and sitting comfortably. Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, and regular treatments can help to show significant pain reduction. Your acupuncturist will combine acupuncture with other TCM treatments such as herbal remedies, cupping, and massage therapy.
2. Issues With Gut Health
Poor diets, stress eating, and existing medical conditions are only a few of the top reasons why an individual may suffer from poor gut health. A few of the more common symptoms that can indicate you’re dealing with poor gut health or digestive issues include the following:
- Ongoing heartburn and acid reflux
- Regular bouts of constipation or diarrhea
- Bloating
Acupuncture has been known to bring relief to these symptoms and reduce the need for excessive over-the-counter pills and syrups. Speak to your acupuncturist for herbal remedies that you can use in conjunction with your acupuncture sessions to alleviate symptoms.
3. Various Types of Headaches
Just about everyone suffers from regular headaches of some sort. Whether it’s tension headaches, migraines, or cluster headaches, finding effective pain relief can be challenging. In some instances, headaches can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as neck or back strain, eye strain, chronic pain, or even stress. Patients who use acupuncture to treat headaches have reported a reduction in the frequency and severity of both cluster headaches and migraine symptoms.
4. Irregular Sleeping Patterns
Not sleeping properly is another side effect of busy schedules and dealing with the stresses of modern living. These can often leave an individual feeling exhausted, rundown, and easily overwhelmed.
Despite often leaving you feeling groggy, sleeping pills can also affect your gut health. A few acupuncture sessions will see you feeling more relaxed, which in turn will help you sleep better. You can also combine acupuncture with massage therapy to provide long-term relief.
Final Thoughts
Despite an increase in modern medicine and treatment techniques, acupuncture is still as relevant and effective as ever. In addition to finding pain relief from a host of different chronic conditions, acupuncture also helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation. If you’re dealing with constant pain, it may be a good idea to visit your local acupuncturist for an assessment. You’ll be glad you did!
