Acupuncture has been studied and practiced for more than 2,500 years. For some, it’s considered the miracle cure for improving quality of life. Proponents of this holistic health treatment say it can treat almost anything, from depression and allergies to cramps and morning sickness. For many people, however, a treatment that involves pressing needles into your skin sounds a bit scary. Keep reading if you’d like to learn more.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine-based approach to treating a wide range of conditions. The treatment involves inserting needles into the skin at certain trigger points. The needle is only inserted a tiny amount and causes little to no discomfort.
When the needle is inserted into the surface of the skin it stimulates the immune system, promoting circulation to the area, healing wounds, and modulating pain.
What Are the Benefits?
There are a variety of conditions acupuncture can be used to treat. Let’s look at a few examples.
Low back pain: decreases intensity of pain and provides better function
Migraines: may reduce the frequency of episodes
Tension headaches: possible decrease in the frequency of headaches
Knee pain: improves physical function in the short and long term
Other conditions it can be used to treat include:
- Allergies
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- Osteoarthritis
- Menstrual cramps and PMS
- Multiple sclerosis
Where Can You Go for This Type of Treatment?
If you want to visit an acupuncturist there are many places you can go, for example, K West Hotel & Spa offers this as part of their alternative therapies, as well as a range of other health and beauty treatments from their spa. In the UK, there is no statutory regulation of acupuncture but it’s recommended you check they are either a regulated healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse, or physiotherapist. They could also be a member of a national acupuncture organisation. There is an accredited register of acupuncture practitioners can be found here.
When it’s done by a qualified practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe. It has been successfully used to treat a variety of conditions, and millions of people across the world choose this form of holistic medicine over anything else.
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