Some of us aren’t the best at taking care of ourselves. We know we should exercise more, eat better, sleep sounder, drink less, smile more... The list goes on. But whether it’s lack of time, lack of discipline (or because you just don’t care enough!) it can be hard to do things consistently to be healthier. There is however something you can do that could make a significant difference to your health, and, all you have to do is lie there.
It sounds appealing doesn’t it? We are talking acupuncture of course. An acupuncture session can be incredibly relaxing, so much so we’ve had clients fall asleep on the table! As well as helping you relax, acupuncture has been proven to provide relief from a huge range of conditions, symptoms and diseases.
This is why we say almost anyone could benefit from acupuncture in their life.
How can acupuncture help?
Case controlled clinical trials have found acupuncture an effective treatment for the following common conditions or symptoms:
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Headaches
- Knee pain
- Lower back pain
- Nausea
- Sciatica
- Stroke
This is far from an exhaustive list; you can consider it the tip of the iceberg.
There are many other conditions and diseases for which evidence exists that acupuncture can help treat including:
- Acne
- Cancer pain
- Diabetes mellitus
- Fibromyalgia
- Hepatitis B
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
How does acupuncture work to treat so many different problems?
Acupuncture is a technique that has been practiced in China for centuries if not thousands of years. Interestingly, back in the day, acupuncturists are believed to have used stone knives and other sharp tools. Thankfully we now have access to super fine (hair thin) disposable sterilised needles.
Traditionally acupuncture has been understood as a way to balance and restore energy flows throughout the body. Scientists have yet to fully understand how acupuncture works based on our current understandings about the human body.
One theory is that acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins – our natural painkillers. Another theory is that acupuncture works by interrupting the transmission of pain signals through the nerves.
However you choose to interpret the reasons for acupuncture’s effectiveness, there is no denying that it can offer significant benefits to patients.
I’m not sick – can acupuncture still help me?
The range of problems acupuncture can help treat is enormous. You don’t have to be diagnosed with an illness to benefit. Perhaps you’re feeling a bit run-down or overly anxious, or maybe you’re not sleeping as well as you’d like. Acupuncture can help with these everyday problems. It can even help reduce your dependence on antihistamines during allergy season.
Do be prepared you may need to have several sessions to reap all the benefits. But given that acupuncture is a low risk therapy and, you get to lie down and have a snooze, we suggest you give it a try!
To find out more about how acupuncture could benefit your health, contact us today.