Pain is defined as “a highly unpleasant physical sensation caused by an illness or injury.”
Acupuncture can help with a variety of types of pain including arthritis, muscle pain, migraine and pain from all types of injuries
There are a vast number of pain conditions ranging from back, neck and joint pain to conditions such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, migraine and pain occurring from injury or even pain that occurs post surgery. Acupuncture can help with all of these.
Long term pain killer use has side-effects
Pain killing medication can be useful short term, however some pain killers can be unpleasant to take and sometimes have serious side effects, especially after long term use. These side effects can range from stomach upset or ulcers, liver/kidney damage and even an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Acupuncture for pain relief is a proven and ancient treatment.
Acupuncture may sound like an exotic, sometimes unprovable treatment for chronic pain, but this age-old practice is now viewed as an acceptable supplementary treatment. It is often used for certain lower back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis conditions. Some doctors in the NHS now offer acupuncture treatment. The NHI in the US actively encourage the use of acupuncture for pain relief and other medical issues.
Acupuncture can help with chronic pain
A number of studies suggest that acupuncture works particularly well on chronic pain such as back and neck pain; osteoarthritis/knee pain, headaches and migraines. It can help reduce inflammation and It often reduces the incidence and severity of tension headaches and may even prevent migraines, These days it’s considered by many as an effective and reasonable option for people with chronic pain to consider.
Often patients commence acupuncture treatments for pain and even chronic pain and end up seeing their acupuncturist on a regular basis, simply to maintain a feeling of general well being. Despite the fact that the procedure is performed by inserting hair-thin needles into various parts of the body, acupuncture is considered non-invasive and gentle. Aside from helping with pain, it can also give better sleep, more energy, better mental clarity, improved digestion and help with stress.
Acupuncture works in a number of ways to relieve pain
-
- by stimulating nerves located in muscles to produce endorphins and other chemicals produced by the body that have pain relieving effects.
- by reducing inflammation and promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors.
- by reducing muscle stiffness and increasing joint mobility through an increase of local microcirculation, which aids dispersal of swelling and inflammation. Reduction in inflammation leads to a reduction in pain.
Acupuncture also stimulates the nervous system
“In general, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. The resulting biochemical changes influence the body’s homeostatic mechanisms, thus promoting physical and emotional well-being. Stimulation of certain acupuncture points has been shown to affect areas of the brain that are known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress, as well as promoting relaxation and deactivating the ‘analytical’ brain, which is responsible for anxiety” (Wu 1999).
If you would like to find out more about acupuncture for pain relief or to simply book an acupuncture appointment: Click to contact