
Acupuncture is basically one of the complementary medical practices, which involves stimulating points on a patient’s body, mostly with a needle, to treat different health problems or alleviate pain.
Developed many years ago in China, many studies that scientists in the US and Europe carried out made people realize that acupuncture is moderately effective in treating nausea and pain.
Is It Safe?
According to experts at Rio Acupuncture & Herb, acupuncture has fewer side effects and complications when qualified experts perform it.
Plus, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulates the use of acupuncture needles. The administration expects every needle to be sterile, properly labeled, non-toxic, steel, and solid.
Only qualified experts can use these needles. After a single-use, practitioners must throw them away. Using non-sterile needles may result in:
- Central nervous system (CNS) injuries
- Organ punctures
- Infections
How It Feels Like
The acupuncture procedure is carried out using a hair-thin needle. Many individuals usually report feeling little pain during the insertion of a needle.
A needle is placed to a point where it produces an ache or pressure sensation. Needles can be heated during your treatment.
However, improper placement of needles may result in too much pain. This is why it is necessary to get treatment from professional practitioners who understand how Acupuncture Works.
The Number of Treatments You Need
The number and frequency of treatments vary from one individual to another. Some individuals will experience dramatic relief during their first treatment.
One or two acupuncture treatments every week for a few months will be suitable for long-standing or complex chronic conditions.
But for acute issues, fewer visits are needed. Normally, it is eight or ten visits. A personalized treatment plan, which includes the expected number and frequency of treatments, will also be discussed on your first visit.
What Happens After and During the Procedure?
Acupuncture points usually are situated in every part of your body. At times, the right points are removed from the part of the body experiencing pain.
An acupuncture practitioner may tell you the site of the planned treatment procedure and if you should remove any clothing. Don’t worry; your acupuncture will provide you with a sheet, gown, or towel.
After the procedure, you might feel energized or in pain. Plus, it is possible not to respond to your acupuncture treatment. If the symptoms don’t start to improve after several weeks, it means the treatment is not suitable for you.
Health Benefits
Although there are still unknowns regarding how the treatment works, the outcome is more widely researched and studied.
There is enough evidence that acupuncture treatment works great for pain management, especially knee pain, musculoskeletal pain, migraines, and lower-back pain. Apart from managing different forms of pain, acupuncture proves helpful in:
- Relieving nausea
- Caring for cancer patients
- Improving CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Treating RA (rheumatoid arthritis)
The Takeaway!
Acupuncture treatment provides its impacts by mediating pain and improving your blood flow when a practitioner locally applies it to irritable tissues.
Currently, acupuncture treatment has definitive research. Plus, practitioners practicing acupuncture are highly trained and regulated to offer the best treatment to patients.