Acupuncture is the practice of penetrating the skin with thin, solid, stainless-steel needles. They are activated through gentle and precise movements of the practitioner or can alternatively be done with electrical stimulation. Acupuncture primarily treats pain for overall wellness, including stress management, and using pressure or heat may further enhance the effects. Other acupoint stimulation techniques include manual massage, moxibustion, cupping, and application of topical herbal medicines. Similarly, Western practitioners view these acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues. It is believed that these stimulations boost your body’s natural painkillers. HOW DOES IT WORK? Acupuncture is an ancient practice of Traditional Chinese medicine. This practice revolves around Qi (pronounced “chee”), which flows through the body and is responsible for overall health. The human body has more than 2,000 acupuncture points connected by pathways or meridians – this constant flow of energy keeps the yin and yang balanced. If the energy flow is blocked, this disruption can lead to pain, lack of function, or illness. Thus, applying acupuncture to specific points is thought to improve Qi’s flow and health. The concept of Qi can be analogous to your body’s natural inner workings. You may be more prone to illness when feeling stressed or anxious. When you are relaxed and healthy, your body physically reflects that. Your mood, mental health, and general well-being affect your physical health. Thus, acupuncture aims to assist people in achieving balance, or Qi, as a result, provides relief for many ailments. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system, and this releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ACUPUNCTURE? Getting acupuncture has effects on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems, cardiovascular system, and digestive system. By stimulating the body’s various systems, acupuncture can help resolve pain and improve sleep, digestive function, and mental health. On top of that, acupuncture carries a very low risk of side effects. It is also a flexible treatment form that can simultaneously target numerous health concerns. WHAT DOES ACUPUNCTURE TREAT? Hundreds of clinical studies on the benefits of acupuncture show it successfully treats conditions ranging from musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain to nausea, migraine headache, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and infertility. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it was observed that acupuncture is an effective treatment alone or in combination with conventional therapies to treat: Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy Dental pain after surgery Addiction Headaches Menstrual cramps Tennis elbow Fibromyalgia Myofascial pain Osteoarthritis Low back pain Carpal tunnel syndrome Asthma