Practiced for thousands of years by Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, acupuncture is an accepted and effective treatment for chronic pain. Add to that the low risk of side effects, and acupuncture seems like a great alternative to conventional medication and medical treatments, especially for those seeking a holistic approach to wellness. Can acupuncture help you with chronic pain? Read on to learn more.
What is Acupuncture and Does it Work for Chronic Pain?
The fundamental idea behind acupuncture is the belief that your body has two forces – yin and yang. In order to achieve optimal health, these two forces must be in perfect balance, and acupuncture is one of the ways to help your body achieve this balance. While this may seem odd to those used to a more conventional, Western-style of medical care, it’s generally accepted that acupuncture has an effect on the body’s nervous system. In practical terms, acupuncture is the practice of inserting small, thin, flexible needles in your skin at precise locations on the body to stimulate the body’s nervous system. Despite the way its administered, acupuncture therapy is considered a fairly non-invasive and gentle treatment.
You can’t just stick needles in random places, however. The body has over 300 different and precise points that can be stimulated by acupuncture, on the back, head, feet, arms, and even around major blood vessels and nerves. These points can be stimulated to address chronic pain and aid in healing. This stimulation of the nervous system results in the release of natural painkillers and affects the areas in your brain that process pain, effectively controlling endorphin levels and treating chronic pain. In short, yes, acupuncture does work for chronic pain.
Patients receiving regular acupuncture therapy typically report relief from chronic pain and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Moreover, patients receiving acupuncture therapy for chronic pain often report additional benefits such as improved sleep, energy levels, and digestion, as well as lower stress levels. In particular, acupuncture works exceptionally well on patients experiencing lower back pain and migraines.
What Chronic Pain Conditions Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture therapy can help with a variety of chronic pain conditions, including:
- Lower back pain.
- Neck pain.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Chronic headaches and migraines.
- Temporomandibular pain.
- Pelvic pain.
Additionally, acupuncture therapy has even been shown to be effective in reducing certain side effects of cancer, such as nausea and vomiting, as well as other conditions like sleep disorders, menstrual pain, and stress. Acupuncture isn’t just about treating symptoms, rather it involves identifying the root cause of the condition you’re trying to overcome and achieving overall balance and wellness.
Acupuncture Treatment for Chronic Pain in Calgary
Like many other treatments, acupuncture begins with an initial consultation where you’ll get to talk to a professional acupuncturist about the pain you’re experiencing. You’ll be given a realistic idea of how much you can expect your chronic pain to improve through acupuncture, and treatment will be scheduled if there’s a good fit.
At Calgary Integrative Medicine, our professionals deliver professional acupuncture in NW Calgary to patients who depend on it for chronic pain relief and other concerns like anxiety, depression, and chronic diseases. If you’re suffering from a medical condition and haven’t achieved satisfactory results from conventional medical treatments, reach out to us today at 403-202-7272 or contact us online to book a consultation and find out if acupuncture can offer the pain relief you seek.
