What Can Acupuncture Treat?
Many people try acupuncture because of how effective it is for relieving pain, often having helped someone they know. Acupuncture has been found to be one of the most effective treatments for low back pain helping people to lower or avoid the use of pharmaceuticals.
Did you know Chinese medicine is also an excellent holistic treatment for many health conditions? The World Health Organization published an official report in 2003 identifying 43 conditions that were proven through research to be effectively treated with acupuncture. There have been many studies released since then supporting the use of acupuncture for various conditions. These are some of the most commonly treated conditions in acupuncture clinics though it is not an exhaustive list:
women's health
Menstrual irregularities: Chinese medicine addresses symptoms such as irregular periods, clotting, heavy or light flow which indicate imbalance.
PMS: Premenstrual syndrome can cause cramps, fatigue, bloating, breast pain, muscle cramping, headaches, mood swings, irritability and depression. Acupuncture can provide relief for symptoms and bring hormones into balance.
Fibroids and Endometriosis: Recent research has shown that acupuncture can significantly relieve the painful periods often associated with these conditions.
Menopause: Acupuncture can effectively treat hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats and many other symptoms associated with peri-menopause and menopause. It is able to bring your hormones into balance through a process called homeostatic regulation. It has been shown to improve the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is the mechanism responsible for balancing reproductive hormones.
Fertility: Facing fertility issues can be very stressful for the body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture can be easily incorporated into your treatment plan and is able to help you conceive or maintain a pregnancy. It can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system.
PMS: Premenstrual syndrome can cause cramps, fatigue, bloating, breast pain, muscle cramping, headaches, mood swings, irritability and depression. Acupuncture can provide relief for symptoms and bring hormones into balance.
Fibroids and Endometriosis: Recent research has shown that acupuncture can significantly relieve the painful periods often associated with these conditions.
Menopause: Acupuncture can effectively treat hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats and many other symptoms associated with peri-menopause and menopause. It is able to bring your hormones into balance through a process called homeostatic regulation. It has been shown to improve the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, which is the mechanism responsible for balancing reproductive hormones.
Fertility: Facing fertility issues can be very stressful for the body, mind and spirit. Acupuncture can be easily incorporated into your treatment plan and is able to help you conceive or maintain a pregnancy. It can increase fertility by reducing stress, increasing blood flow to the reproductive organs and balancing the endocrine system.
Pain Relief
chronic or acute back, neck, hip, knee or shoulder pain, tennis elbow, sciatica, musculoskeletal problems, TMJ, arthritis, headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia
Pain is a warning signal from the body whose purpose is to motivate you to do something. Your body is asking you to protect body parts that the brain thinks (rightly or wrongly) are damaged. If you feel pain, it means that your brain thinks the body is under threat, and that something has to be done about it.
Many people experience significant pain, for example, back pain affects four out of five people at some time in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. If a person chooses to ignore the pain or take medication, the cause is not being treated and the body will continue to sound the alarm to remind you something is still wrong. Eventually, the pain may get worse or become chronic.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to eliminate pain. Unlike other methods for addressing pain, there are no side effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) acknowledge the benefits of acupuncture in treating and eliminating pain due to a wide range of causes.
By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific points, acupuncture is directly affecting the central nervous system, sending signals to the muscles, spinal cord and brain which result in calming the nerves and relaxing tight muscles. There is also an increase in micro-circulation to the injured area that is causing symptoms of pain. An increase in circulation equals less inflammation (swelling, pain, heat, redness, loss of function). Cupping (a modality of Chinese medicine) may also be used to enhance this process and optimize the body's response.
Acupuncture allows the body to begin the recovery process back to health.
Pain is a warning signal from the body whose purpose is to motivate you to do something. Your body is asking you to protect body parts that the brain thinks (rightly or wrongly) are damaged. If you feel pain, it means that your brain thinks the body is under threat, and that something has to be done about it.
Many people experience significant pain, for example, back pain affects four out of five people at some time in their lives. It is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. If a person chooses to ignore the pain or take medication, the cause is not being treated and the body will continue to sound the alarm to remind you something is still wrong. Eventually, the pain may get worse or become chronic.
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to eliminate pain. Unlike other methods for addressing pain, there are no side effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) acknowledge the benefits of acupuncture in treating and eliminating pain due to a wide range of causes.
By inserting fine, sterile needles at specific points, acupuncture is directly affecting the central nervous system, sending signals to the muscles, spinal cord and brain which result in calming the nerves and relaxing tight muscles. There is also an increase in micro-circulation to the injured area that is causing symptoms of pain. An increase in circulation equals less inflammation (swelling, pain, heat, redness, loss of function). Cupping (a modality of Chinese medicine) may also be used to enhance this process and optimize the body's response.
Acupuncture allows the body to begin the recovery process back to health.
Mental and Emotional Health
anxiety, depression, fatigue, stress, emotional balancing, insomnia
Chinese medicine is an excellent treatment for stress and mental health. One of the mechanisms which explains how acupuncture affects the body demonstrates why it is so effective. Acupuncture has been found to be able to regulate the autonomic nervous system. It is able to decrease the sympathetic response (fight, flight, freeze) as well as stimulate the parasympathetic response (rest and digest). Balancing the body's stress response is addressing the root of many of the following conditions.
Anxiety Acupuncture for anxiety can reduce physical symptoms such as tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, labored breathing, digestive disturbance, headache and insomnia. It can also reduce the mental and emotional symptoms while instilling a feeling of calm and peace. Acupuncture can be used as a complimentary treatment to medication and counseling. Patients are often able to reduce medication dosage while achieving greater effectiveness.
Depression Acupuncture can be used for both acute and chronic mild to moderate depression. Patients often notice improvements in sleep, appetite and energy early in treatment . Acupuncture is also a very effective treatment for pain which is often a contributing factor for depression. Treatment can also relieve the emotional sensation of depression, helping patients to feel better enabling them to make more positive choices. Acupuncture can also be used as a complimentary therapy to reduce dosage or increase effectiveness of anti-depressant medications.
Insomnia A comprehensive study in Italy found that after two weeks of acupuncture treatment, 60% of participants with sleep disorders had significant improvement in their sleep. Patients having acupuncture treatment for a variety of problems often report improved sleep as a ‘side effect’ of treatment. It is common for patients to feel so relaxed during treatment they fall asleep on the table. Chinese medicine will take a holistic perspective and work with you on the type of insomnia your symptoms represent in Chinese medicine.
Stress We all experience a little stress now and then that comes and goes. It's when our stress becomes ongoing and chronic that we need to take action to prevent it from causing a serious health problem or affecting our lives negatively. Stress causes many negative side effects including: low energy, headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, muscle tension and pain, clenched jaw and grinding teeth, constant worry, feelings of frustration and overwhelm, racing thoughts, inability to focus, low self-esteem and isolation. These are warning signs from our bodies to take action.
Many of us think we can do it alone or that it will pass or that we don't have the time to do anything about it. Acupuncture can help and it works relatively quickly. It allows your body to come back into balance and heal. Studies have shown that acupuncture releases the feel good endorphins, patients often notice increased relaxation and feelings of well-being within seconds of being treated. Many people choose to have maintenance acupuncture treatments to manage stress preventatively to stay healthy.
Chinese medicine is an excellent treatment for stress and mental health. One of the mechanisms which explains how acupuncture affects the body demonstrates why it is so effective. Acupuncture has been found to be able to regulate the autonomic nervous system. It is able to decrease the sympathetic response (fight, flight, freeze) as well as stimulate the parasympathetic response (rest and digest). Balancing the body's stress response is addressing the root of many of the following conditions.
Anxiety Acupuncture for anxiety can reduce physical symptoms such as tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, labored breathing, digestive disturbance, headache and insomnia. It can also reduce the mental and emotional symptoms while instilling a feeling of calm and peace. Acupuncture can be used as a complimentary treatment to medication and counseling. Patients are often able to reduce medication dosage while achieving greater effectiveness.
Depression Acupuncture can be used for both acute and chronic mild to moderate depression. Patients often notice improvements in sleep, appetite and energy early in treatment . Acupuncture is also a very effective treatment for pain which is often a contributing factor for depression. Treatment can also relieve the emotional sensation of depression, helping patients to feel better enabling them to make more positive choices. Acupuncture can also be used as a complimentary therapy to reduce dosage or increase effectiveness of anti-depressant medications.
Insomnia A comprehensive study in Italy found that after two weeks of acupuncture treatment, 60% of participants with sleep disorders had significant improvement in their sleep. Patients having acupuncture treatment for a variety of problems often report improved sleep as a ‘side effect’ of treatment. It is common for patients to feel so relaxed during treatment they fall asleep on the table. Chinese medicine will take a holistic perspective and work with you on the type of insomnia your symptoms represent in Chinese medicine.
Stress We all experience a little stress now and then that comes and goes. It's when our stress becomes ongoing and chronic that we need to take action to prevent it from causing a serious health problem or affecting our lives negatively. Stress causes many negative side effects including: low energy, headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, muscle tension and pain, clenched jaw and grinding teeth, constant worry, feelings of frustration and overwhelm, racing thoughts, inability to focus, low self-esteem and isolation. These are warning signs from our bodies to take action.
Many of us think we can do it alone or that it will pass or that we don't have the time to do anything about it. Acupuncture can help and it works relatively quickly. It allows your body to come back into balance and heal. Studies have shown that acupuncture releases the feel good endorphins, patients often notice increased relaxation and feelings of well-being within seconds of being treated. Many people choose to have maintenance acupuncture treatments to manage stress preventatively to stay healthy.
Pediatrics
allergies, asthma, coughs and colds, skin conditions, digestive problems, behavioral challenges, ear infections, sleep issues
digestive disorders
irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, GERD, nausea, acid reflux
Chronic Conditions
chronic fatigue, asthma and allergies, chronic degenerative diseases, neurological disorders
Pregnancy support
Low back and pelvic pain: As a woman's belly grows, hormones stretch the tendons and ligaments. It is common for the back to ache later in the second trimester and throughout the third. Pain around the pubic bone is also very common and can cause significant discomfort. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in reducing backache and increasing mobility in clinical studies. In one study, 72% of pregnant women found acupuncture gave significant relief for their back pain.
Morning sickness: Research shows that about 80% of pregnant women get morning sickness. For most women, nausea and vomiting start after 6-7 weeks, peaking during weeks 9-10. Acupuncture treatments 1-2 times per week have been shown to alleviate morning sickness.
Post-natal care: Acupuncture can help support lactation, postpartum recovery and mood.
Morning sickness: Research shows that about 80% of pregnant women get morning sickness. For most women, nausea and vomiting start after 6-7 weeks, peaking during weeks 9-10. Acupuncture treatments 1-2 times per week have been shown to alleviate morning sickness.
Post-natal care: Acupuncture can help support lactation, postpartum recovery and mood.