How Does Acupuncture Relieve Pain?
While many Americans are skeptical of acupuncture, it should be noted that the treatment has been around for over 5,000 years and was first done by the Chinese. Acupuncture can be used for a variety of treatments including pain, anxiety, depression, smoking cessation, and weight loss.
Acupuncture works on the 14 major energy channels that course through the body. These energy channels, called meridians carry chi, the subtle energy of the body. The balance and flow of chi is what keeps us free of disease in the mind and body. Acupuncture needles are inserted very shallowly into acupuncture points restoring a balance and flow to points that coordinate with whatever ails you.
What to Expect During a Typical Acupuncture Visit
A typical visit to an acupuncturist should be thorough and relaxing. The practitioner will start off by asking questions to discern where the energy blockages are in the body. By taking your pulse on both sides, the practitioner can get an idea of how the energy is flowing in the body. It’s important to take a pulse on both sides to discern whether chi is flowing evening on both sides of the body.
The practitioner may also look at your tongue. The tongue says a lot about your your overall health. For example, If your tongue is pale this could mean that you’re lacking hemoglobin in your diet and are in need of iron. A bright red tongue could mean that you’re lacking certain nutrients like B vitamins and iron.
Acupuncture points are low voltage points, 20 points lower than the rest of the body. Once blockages are located, small, thin needles are inserted at a superficial level to begin releasing pressure. It’s important that the acupuncturist insert the needle into the precise acupuncture point in order to get results. The acupuncturist checks pulses and coloration around the needles along the way and the treatment is finished once the practitioner can see that the chi is flowing at it should.
Pain is simply a blockage at certain acupuncture points and once the blockages are removed, then the pain will disipate. It may take one visit or a number of visits, depending on the sort of pain to see results.