Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese health practice that alleviates pain and treats various health conditions and diseases. The method involves the insertion of needles used to naturally stimulate anatomic sites and restore the flows along specific pathways throughout the body.
While acupuncture is becoming increasingly more widespread, there are still several misconceptions surrounding this treatment:
Acupuncture is a natural pain killer: True
Acupuncture needles stimulate key points in the body to produce natural painkillers called endorphins. This can help reduce inflammation, improve sleep and digestive function, and fight serious illnesses.
There is no real science behind acupuncture: False
Although acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, it has not been categorized as folk medicine in the past. For many decades now, acupuncture has been a treatment option recommended by legitimate medical institutions. In fact, the NIH and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize acupuncture as a valid treatment for a wide range of conditions.
Acupuncture is relaxing: True
The needles may seem a little intimidating at first, but in reality, the feeling during and after treatments is actually quite relaxing. The punctures may sting slightly, but they don’t hurt. The needles are very fine, and any initial discomfort fades fairly quickly.
It only takes one or two treatments to heal: False
While it is possible to feel instant relief after the first treatment, the amount of treatments differs from patient to patient depending on the condition. For acute problems, sometimes eight to ten visits in total is enough. However, for more complex or chronic conditions, one to two treatments per week for several months will most likely be recommended by your specialist.
If you are suffering from the following conditions, acupuncture may be the right treatment for you:
For more information about acupuncture, physiotherapy, massage therapy, or to book a session with us, contact Pro Care Physiotherapy today.
