Many people are intimidated by what they do not understand, and acupuncture is no different. Acupuncture itself was developed many thousands of years ago in ancient China as a modality that is used to balance, correct and supplement the subtle body energy known as Qi. This is accomplished through the insertion of acupuncture needles into the skin at different acupuncture points in order to address any specific health issue that the patient may be experiencing. The point of needle insertion may not necessarily be the exact place where the pain is being felt, as many times distal or points of the opposite side or extremity may be used. Many acupuncturists practice that acupuncture works through the endorphin response in the brain which has a strong effect on the nervous system within the body, ultimately resulting in the relief of pain. Acupuncture might look far more intimidating than it actually is to those who have never experienced it. When one thinks about the insertion of needles into the skin, we associate it with a feeling of pain, however the needles used in the acupuncture process are so small and thin that most people will report very minimal to no pain during insertion or during their treatment. The needles are also made of stainless steel and are only used one time before being discarded. This assures the patient that there is no potential contamination of the needles or the areas of insertion. During the treatment, most patients will have a feeling of complete relaxation and experience no discomfort whatsoever. After the procedure many patients will note that they feel completely relaxed while others will say that they feel energized. Acupuncture can work in a majority pain issues and can also be effective in patients who see minimal relief from traditional pain relief techniques. Consult with your Doctor of Oriental Medicine or acupuncturist in order to find out if acupuncture is right for you and your health issue.
One of the most common questions that is asked the acupuncture clinics is if it will work for all forms of pain relief? This is a difficult question to answer because pain treatment is generally a case by case scenario, with everyone responding to acupuncture differently and health history regarding the pain also being a factor, such as how long has the pain been an issue as the severity of the pain. Positive results for pain relief have been noted for many different kinds of pain issues ranging from migraines to menstrual cramps and lower back pain. While there have been specific scientific studies that have proven that acupuncture does work for a specific type of pain relief, each case will show a varying degree of success. For the majority of patients, acupuncture is used in conjunction with western medicine pain techniques or as stand-alone modality for pain relief. Discuss your specific case with your acupuncturist and they will be able to answer more appropriately if acupuncture is right for you.