The Benefits of Acupuncture
Learn How Acupuncture Helps Treat Many Conditions
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| | The central principle of acupuncture is that disease stems from imbalance between the two opposing and inseparable forces of yin and yang in the body. Yin is the cold, slow, or passive principle. Yang is the hot, excited or active principle. For thousands of years, acupuncturists have developed the technique of inserting slender needles in specific points on the body to eliminate blockages of a vital energy called qi (pronounced "chi"), that encourage a balanced state of health. |
Acupuncture can be used to address almost any type of illness and disease. The World Health Organization recognizes more than 43 common disorders that respond well to acupuncture. Research and anecdotal evidence show that there are many exceptional benefits of acupuncture in the following areas:
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Pain
Acupuncture has been shown to reduce or eliminate the need for drugs to control many types of pain. Studies have shown that acupuncture and related treatments can be particularly effective in treating chronic pain, such as low back pain, headaches and migraines. Acupuncture can be used to reduce pain and nausea after surgery. Acupuncture also increases circulation, accelerating the body's ability to heal from injury.
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Mental Health
Acupuncture can be highly effective for the treatment of mild depression, anxiety and other common emotional challenges. One pilot study of individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder found that improvements following acupuncture treatment were similar to those experienced by individuals who received group cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Women
Many women receive acupuncture to help them get pregnant. Clinical trials in which acupuncture was given to women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) show that acupuncture significantly improved pregnancy rates. Acupuncture may also be effective in reducing nausea and indigestion during pregnancy, as well as reducing the depression, irritability and abdominal pain of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some acupuncturists specialize in labor induction, stimulating specific acupuncture points to help pregnant women who are past their due dates and wish to avoid labor induction drugs.
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Addiction
The first acupuncture detoxification clinic in the United States opened in 1974, using acupuncture as an adjunct to methadone treatment for heroin addicts. The acupuncture was found to be so effective that methadone was soon dropped from the program. Since then, acupuncture has been used to reduce drug cravings, relieve withdrawal symptoms, and increase feelings of relaxation for all types of addicts, including alcoholics and tobacco smokers.
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Allergies and Asthma
Acupuncture has long been used successfully to treat the symptoms of respiratory disorders, such as sinusitis, the common cold, bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. One specific form of acupuncture, called NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques), purports to systematically identify and cure allergies of all types, including food allergies, animal allergies and environmental allergies.
Benefits of Acupuncture: Acupuncture for Overall Wellness
Because acupuncture seeks to help the body attain balance, it is beneficial even for those without an immediate health concern. It can help strengthen the immune system, protecting the body from common colds, minor infections and flu. It can reduce stress, a key cause of illness and disease. Acupuncture can also support a healthier, more active lifestyle or weight loss plan. Many people receive regular acupuncture treatments to help them feel strong and healthy on an ongoing basis.
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Sources:
MedicalNewsToday.com
AccupunctureHealingArts.com
NCCAM.nih.gov
NAET.com
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