3 Facts about Acupuncture You Should Know

While modern medical science is still unable to find a remedy for several diseases, the traditional therapy of acupuncture is being proven to offer a relief to patients of these diseases. However, there is still a lot of confusion about this age-old Chinese therapy. Here are some facts.

1. What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy which uses thin needles to puncture certain points on the body to give relief from various aches, pains and other symptoms. The therapy has gained a lot of popularity within a short while due to its effectiveness. For example, acupuncture Brisbane and other cities is widely popular across Australia. So also, it’s widely used in other countries like the US and France.

As you may know, according to the Chinese medicine, there is a flow of energy known as ‘chi’ throughout our body. Acupuncture works upon the principle of stimulating points (with the needles) along the 14 pathways of ‘chi’. Some researchers believe that the needles help our body release endorphins which are natural painkillers, and may improve blood circulation and change brain activity.

The therapy has even been found to help coronavirus patients with problems like migraines and insomnia.

2. Does it Hurt?

Since it’s done with pointed needles, several people are worried if it will hurt. However acupuncture needles are so thin that most people experience no to least pain. On the contrary, most patients feel relaxed or energised after the treatment. But it’s true that the needles can sometimes cause momentary soreness.

3. Efficacy in Various Problems

Here are various problems in which the therapy has been proven very effective.

Low-back Pain

A study found that actual as well as “fake” acupuncture was more effective against low-back pain than conventional treatments.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Scientists in Taiwan conducted 8 acupuncture sessions on a group of patients of carpal tunnel syndrome for around a month, and those patients found more amount of and more prolonged relief than the group taking steroid pills as a medicine for hand and arm pain.

Arthritis

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, acupuncture can help in osteoarthritis when used in addition to conventional therapy. There is also some early research available showing that arthritic pain in knee was relieved, although more research is needed.

Headaches

In another study, it was shown that the therapy may be more effective against tension headaches or migraines than conventional therapies.

Acupuncture has been proven to offer immediate relief in many diseases. Hopefully, more and more people will be benefited by this natural therapy which has no side effects.