Acupuncture – Facts You Should Know

There’s a lot to learn about a treatment that’s been around for thousands of years! Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin at different points of the body. As the needles stimulate the spots, this traditional Chinese technique has a therapeutic effect. Acupuncture has been practiced since ancient times in many different parts of the world.

Surprisingly, despite its lengthy history as a beneficial treatment for a range of diseases, acupuncture therapy continues to be underestimated in Western society.

Here’re a few facts that you should know about acupuncture treatment before getting started. Keep reading:

Acupuncture treats chronic and acute pain

Acupuncture, according to studies, can help relieve pain in the lower back, neck, shoulder, knees, teeth and jaw. Acupuncture can help patients with arthritis, tennis elbow, sciatica, sprains, migraines and headaches, among other chronic ailments.

Acupuncture therapy is beneficial for a variety of health conditions such as:

  • Lower back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Dental pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Respiratory disorders and allergies
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Labour pain
  • Chemotherapy-induced and postoperative vomiting and nausea.

Choose the right acupuncture therapy centre

You need to pick the right acupuncture therapy centre that is best suited to treat you. To make sure that you’re going for the right one, follow a few simple steps:

  • Seek recommendations from friends and family.
  • Do a bit of research work by visiting the sites of different therapy centres.
  • Check if the therapy centre has qualified and certified acupuncturists or not.
  • Speak with them and check if the acupuncturists address your queries satisfactorily.

Acupuncture is patient-centred

All acupuncturists have their very own style of treating patients. To select the appropriate type of acupuncture treatment for you, your practitioner may ask about your symptoms, activities, and lifestyle.

He/she will conduct a preliminary evaluation and therapy that could take up to 60 minutes. The duration is calculated based on the severity of the health condition. Besides, different patients have different acupuncture points.

The acupuncture practitioner may also examine the following factors:

  • The painful areas of your body
  • The rhythm, quality and strength of your pulse
  • The skin colour and other factors.

During the acupuncture treatment

The acupuncture meridian system connects the points, which run from head to toe. Simply put, acupuncture points are located all over the body. Sometimes the proper areas are far distant from the source of your suffering. During the acupuncture treatment, the practitioner would ask you to lie down on a padded bed and relax. The procedure includes the following:

  • Insertion of needles at different depths at particular points on the body.
  • Moving or twirling or manipulating the needles after placing them at the specific points.
  • Removal of the needles after keeping for some time.

Results of the therapy

Acupuncture therapy is worth a try if you’re having trouble managing pain or other health conditions.

It aids people to achieve balance and provides treatment for a variety of chronic conditions. Following an acupuncture session, patients feel energetic and rejuvenated. However, the benefits of the therapy vary from person to person.

Last few lines…

Acupuncture appears to be most successful among people who expect it to work, according to several reports.

If you’re looking for a licensed acupuncture therapy Centre in Canada, go for the reputed ones.

The experienced acupuncturists will examine your condition and make recommendations based on your specific needs or requirements.

5 Helpful Tips for Your First Acupuncture Therapy Visit

The mere thought of getting pricked by a needle makes lots of people scared, uncomfortable and uneasy.

However, for the last 3000 years curing mental problems and nerve diseases by pricking needles has been a common practice. We commonly know it as acupuncture therapy.

Are you suffering from arthritis or muscular aches? Then the suggestion of using acupuncture therapy must’ve been given to you every now and then. Don’t panic. It may seem painful, but in reality, acupuncture therapy treats the whole body and is a clinically powerful tool.

If you’re ready to try it out, then approach any professional who provides Acupuncture Therapy in Saddleridge Calgary to get soothing results.

For all first-timers, we’ve some handy tips that’ll help you overcome the anxiety and make the process easier.

Also Read : Shockwave Therapy: Everything You Need To Know

Tip1: Be Calm, Relaxed and Patient

You can enjoy the therapy. All you need to do is take a deep breath and keep yourself calm. Drive away the thought of pain from your mind. Remember, experts, are working on your body. No need to be afraid.

Tip 2: Know When to Stop

Be patient – don’t expect to get cured just after the first treatment. However, be smart to know when you need to quit the process. For beginners, a small tip – if you feel consistent pain throughout the process, then check with your therapist. Keeping mum may result in negative effects on your nervous system.

Tip 3: Don’t go Empty Stomach

Having butterflies in your stomach just before entering the therapy room? Surely, you’ve not eaten anything!

Your therapist might forget to tell you, but it’s highly important that you eat at least some snacks a few hours before the treatment.

If you get acupuncture done in an empty stomach, there’s a high probability that you may end up on the floors of the therapy room!

Tip 4: You Can Keep Your Clothes On

Good news – you don’t need to lie naked in the therapy room! It’s a common thought that lingers in the mind of the patients which stops them from availing acupuncture therapies.

In reality, acupuncture therapists use the sensitive nerve endings of your body like feet, neck, ears, and toes and back for treatment. Hence, you’ve to expose only a small part of your body.

Tip 5: Don’t Be Shy and Introvert

Expect embarrassing and personal questions from the therapist when you do for the acupuncture process.

If you’re experiencing menstrual pains, then the therapist will required details about your menstrual cycle. If you stay silent or try to hide information, then you’ll be at a loss.

To get an accurate diagnosis and quick treatments, give correct information to your therapist.

Acupuncture is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. If you don’t feel the same, then you must question the ability of your therapist.

Next time when you’re planning a visit to a therapist, you know what to expect.

Approach the therapist confidently and get cured with this remarkable physiotherapy process.

Knee Pain: Symptoms and Treatments

Afflicting millions of people each day, knee pain wreaks havoc on your overall quality of life. It can restrict movement, reduce strength, and affect muscle control. If no proper treatment is provided, ligament tears can take years to heal.

According to studies, about 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain in their life, and knee pain is the second most common cause. The knee is a complicated structure comprising of tibia, patella, and femur. The vulnerable joint bears a great deal of stress from standing, walking, bending, and lifting.

What are the common knee pain problems?

Knee pain results either from aging or continual wear and tear of the joint. Some common knee problems include:

  • Torn cartilage
  • Tendonitis
  • Arthritis
  • Sprain or strain

What are the symptoms of knee pain?

The symptoms of knee pain vary from one person to another. The cause of knee pain affects how you feel the pain. A few signs and symptoms that accompany knee pain include:

  • Inability to straighten the knee
  • Weakness
  • Redness and warmth to touch
  • Sudden and severe pain
  • Popping noise
  • Swelling or stiffness

Before deciding on knee surgery, you should consider two effective nonsurgical alternatives to relieve pain and lead an independent life. 

  • Physiotherapy – Aimed at providing maximum mobility and strength, physiotherapy helps reduce knee pain. A physiotherapist will evaluate your walking or moving and reduce excessive strain. Your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the results of your test and may include stretching, balance training, gait training, and strengthening in your treatment plan.
  • Acupuncture – By inserting thin needles through the skin, acupuncture can alleviate knee pain. A minimally invasive procedure can decrease inflammation, speed healing time, and improve blood circulation. Experienced professionals for acupuncture in Calgary can help you lead a better quality of life.

Apart from physiotherapy and acupuncture, one can visit chiropractors or massage therapists, depending on the severity of the pain.

Acupuncture Can Ease Chronic Pain

It is unpleasant to feel a prick, ache, or burn in the body. Pain in any area or overall can leave you sticking to your bed or limiting everyday tasks. There are two types of pain – Acute and Chronic Pain. While acute pain lets you know that you have been injured and need to take care of the problem, chronic pain is quite different.

Chronic pain may last for several weeks, months, or even years. There could be an original or ongoing cause of pain in some cases, while there could be no clear grounds in others. Chronic pain can limit your mobility, reduce flexibility and strength. Some of the common types of chronic pain are:

  • Headache
  • Cancer pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Arthritis pain
  • Post-trauma pain
  • Neurogenic pain
  • Psychogenic pain

How to Treat Chronic Pain?

In order to return to your daily activities without discomfort, acupuncture can help by reducing pain and boosting mobility. Each year, over 3 million American adults receive acupuncture treatment, and chronic pain is the most common reason. For those who aren’t well aware of acupuncture, it is a traditional Chinese medicine to increase energy and reduce strain.

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into the specific area of the body called acupoints. The treatment deals with moving the needles by twisting and leaving them in place for few minutes.

It is an effective way to relieve chronic aches. When needles are inserted at acupoints, it releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killer. It also increases serotonin production in the brain, producing feelings of relaxation and happiness.

Chronic pain can prevent you from leading the life you want. As several hospitals and pain clinics now provide acupuncture, you shouldn’t shrug off the symptoms. If you are interested, you can learn about acupuncture in Airdrie. The experts will help you understand and manage your chronic pain.

Acupuncture Can Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a disorder characterized by extreme tiredness and feeling of exhaustion, regardless of bed rest. The causes of CFS are not clearly known and it is notoriously hard to treat.

According to a study, the CFS prevalence has been estimated to be from 0.007% to 2.8% in the general adult population. Some theories suggest that the cause of CFS also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID), can be due to viral infection, psychological stress, immunological abnormalities, etc.

As the nature of the disorder is not clear, it somewhat becomes challenging to find a cure. However, pain killers, antidepressants, vitamins could be suggested, but acupuncture is considered more effective than drugs.

How can Acupuncture help in CFS?

Acupuncture is a treatment that involves inserting needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body to various depths. Inserting needles into these points with appropriately brings the energy flow into proper balance. Some experts say that acupuncture points are seen as places where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues can be stimulated. The stimulation triggers the activity of the body’s natural painkillers.

When conventional treatment for CFS was unsatisfactory, several patients turned to traditional Chinese medicine for help. There is evidence that Chinese medication could improve the quality of life. It can regulate energy, improve blood circulation, and restore organ functioning by signals generated from acupoints.

Several studies show that acupuncture may improve both physical and mental tiredness as well as:

  • Physiological function
  • General mental health

Some have also shown improvements in:

  • Pain sensation
  • Social function

Various studies listed improvements in:

  • Energy
  • General pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Anorexia
  • Insomnia

You can get a customized treatment for Acupuncture in CalgaryThe experts will individually help you in identifying the problematic area and gently stimulate them with the needles.