What Conditions Can Be Treated with Acupuncture?

Posted by Phoebe Lambert on February 5th, 2020

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicinal technique that involves thin needles. These thin needles are inserted into a patient’s body at specific points. These points are known as pressure points and needles are inserted to various depths. The process is carried out only by a licensed professional practitioner. It is believed that through acupuncture various body pains and illnesses can be treated.

The process of how acupuncture helps in reducing pain is still unclear. But it’s getting popular in the west as alternative medicine. You can also get acupuncture treatment in Ashford Kent.

How Does Acupuncture Work?

According to Chinese medicine, the health of a person depends on his/her energy balance. There are two opposite force elements i.e. "Yin" & "yang." If these two elements aren’t in order, the life force or "Qi” (chi) can get out of balance. Any imbalance in these forces results in the shape of body illnesses.

How Needles Can Help

The life force flows through different pathways inside the human body. Traditional Chinese medicine indicates that this energy flow can be accessed through different points. There are 350 acupuncture points present in a body. These points can provide access to these energy pathways or “meridians.”

These points can help to restore the energy flow balance inside the body. And needles are used to reach the energy flow without causing any harm to the body. But we must insert needles with accurate combinations and depths.

Conditions that Can Be Treated with Acupuncture

In 2003, WHO enlisted various medical conditions that acupuncture can cure effectively. These medical conditions include pain, muscle problems, and other common conditions. The list includes:

• Morning sickness
• Allergic rhinitis
• Gastric conditions, as well as peptic ulcer
• Blood pressure (both high and low)
• Dysentery
• Vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy
• The risk of strokes

In addition to these, acupuncture can reduce or diminish different body pains. These pains include:

• Sprains
• Sciatica
• Tennis elbow
• Dental pain
• Facial pain
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Labor pain
• Painful periods

Most Commonly Treated Conditions

American and German medical researchers have shown that acupuncture is most useful for certain conditions. It can provide relief to patients or help them to recover quickly.

• Osteoarthritis
• Low back pain
• Knee pain
• Neck pain

Acupuncture has also been proven effective for treating migraines and tension headaches.

The Process OF Acupuncture

When you visit an acupuncturist, he/she will assess your condition. Then the acupuncturist will ask you to lie down either on one side, front or back. This depends on your medical condition and points where needles will be inserted. The needles used in acupuncture are very thin and always sterilized. 

The acupuncturist will insert disposable and single-use into your body. The practitioner may use many needles and you may experience a tingling sensation. You may feel a dull ache after the needle is inserted. Occasionally, the acupuncturist may stimulate or heat the needles after insertion.

Usually, the needles will remain in your body for 5 to 3o minutes. Once the session is complete, the acupuncturist may advise you on self-care. You may also get advice for complementary therapies like massage or osteopathy.

Acupuncture as an alternative medicine offers better results than western medicine. It is an inexpensive and drug-free approach to treat pains and illnesses. Acupuncture can also provide relief to patients that are getting no benefit from medications. Though the process looks painful, it’s completely harmful. Plus, it can treat medical conditions without any side effects.