Acupuncture
Acupuncture treatment is the process of inserting several small needles into a patient’s skin at various points and depths and then removing them. It is often used as a treatment for pain and a variety of other ailments.
Many have found acupuncture to be helpful for improving headaches, reducing blood pressure, helping whooping cough, and increasing energy levels. Other symptoms that acupuncture has been used to treat include:
- Migraines
- Lower back pain, neck pain, and knee pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Painful periods
- Gastric problems
- Morning sickness
- Arthritis
- Dental pain
Some scientists have used neuroscience to explain acupuncture, saying that the needles tap into the body’s energy sources and collective points where muscles, joints, and nerves connect. This stimulates those particular tissues, increasing blood flow to the area and triggering the body’s natural painkillers.
What Are the Benefits of Acupuncture?
There are many benefits to adding acupuncture to your treatment plan to further your health. Many patients report minimal side effects, which is why they choose this option over other forms of treatment. It can also be combined with other treatments, so patients can choose to add acupuncture to their treatment plan rather than use it as a replacement.
Furthermore, some patients opt for treatments when they are unable to use certain medications. It’s viewed as a safe alternative when prescription meds are off the table.
What to Expect
Sessions vary with each patient, but there are some similarities that tie the experience together.
After a brief consultation, the acupuncturist will ask the patient to lie down on their back, stomach, or side, depending on where the treatment will be focused. They will then insert one or more small, sterile needles into the patient. These are single-use and disposable, to ensure patient safety.
Patients who are nervous around needles do not need to worry. The ones used in acupuncture are often smaller than medical needles and rarely go as deep. Insertion is painless or with minimal pain, and many people use acupuncture to relax, not unlike a therapeutic massage.
Your acupuncturist may heat the needles to stimulate the tissue. They are typically left in for five to 30 minutes depending on the treatment plan.
How Often Will You Need Acupuncture Treatment?
Some patients receive weekly or bi-weekly sessions over the course of several months. The number of sessions and frequency of your treatment will vary depending on your case and your response. You may need to increase or decrease your sessions based on how your body reacts.
Find out if acupuncture can help you accomplish your health and wellness goals. Contact Matrix Hormones to get your free initial consultation and review your unique situation.