Acupuncture: How it works, uses, benefits, and risks

Introduction to Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a system of alternative medicine for treating diseases successfully without the use of drugs. Naturopathy is Recognised and well accepted as an independent System of Medicine by AYUSH (Govt of India). Naturopathy makes use of the self-healing capability of our body. This type of therapy is entirely non-invasive and drugless. It uses natural extracts and elements to heal your body from chronic diseases. Sometimes, chronic cases cannot be healed by any conventional medical treatment. This is when Naturopathy kicks in! 

Introduction to Acupuncture as a part of Naturopathy

Acupuncture is a part of Naturopathic medicinal therapy. This is basically a traditional Chinese therapy that instigates the self-healing capacity of our body naturally. Through Acupuncture, the naturopaths try to bring a balance between our body and the universe. There are around 350 acupuncture points in the entire human body. There is a constant flow of energy between these points. Our body experiences pain or illness just when these points are intervened. 

Acupuncture is a process that is done by inserting needles at a certain point’s body to balance their energy. This boosts the wellbeing of a person and cures chronic pain, such as headaches, neck pain, back pain whooping cough, blood pressure problems, etc. With the help of Acupuncture, these blocked interventions are released. After which our body comes to balance with the universe. 

For Example, to treat neck pain

Step 1: The acupuncturist starts by asking about the patient’s symptoms, diet, and daily routine, which give clues about the most effective points on the body to place the needles.

Step 2: The patient might be asked to lie on the stomach, back, or sit in a reclined position.

Step 3:  Depending on the pain intensity of 5 to 11 needles will be inserted in the area of pain.

Step 4: When symptoms of pain and stiffness are only in the neck area, the needles may be placed in other areas of the body in addition to the neck.

Step 5: An acupuncture treatment session may last somewhere between 15 and 30 minutes. 

Step 6: After the treatment is completed, the thin needles are removed and disposed of.

The effects of acupuncture automatically enhance the self-healing process. Perhaps, the disease is thus cured. 

How Acupuncture Works

Before understanding how acupuncture works, let’s understand the effects of acupuncture. 

• The biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. This procedure ultimately releases endorphins or cells of the immune system. Endorphin hormones are the natural pain-killers of the body. Endorphins released result in reducing chronic pain. And, the immune system cells help the body to fight against diseases. 
• Acupuncture involves the release of opioids too. These chemicals help to relieve pain including menstrual cramps and promote sound sleep.  
• Through Acupuncture, the chemical balance of the body is stirred. It promotes the release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters help in the proper functioning of the nerve cells. While Neurohormones control the activities of all the organs in our body. 

The common stimulation method of acupuncture might sound weird to you. The method uses thin needles that are inserted into the skin of the patient at various acupuncture points. The depth of the thin needles insertions vary. Pressure, heat, and electric stimulations are types of advanced acupuncture treatment. Application of herbs and manual massage are some of the other techniques involved. There are meridians located throughout our bodies. These meridians serve as acupuncture points via which the vital energies of our body flow. 

Conditions Acupuncture can treat

Acupuncture therapy can treat several medical conditions. Some of them are:

and other conditions :

• Tension in the muscles.
• Helps effectively in stress management
• Relieve from pain, Acupuncture treatment can be used to heal stiff neck
• Acupuncture treatment can also be used to get rid of addictive habits. It includes habits of smoking, drinking, or using drugs. 
• Knee pain, Arthritis, Pain in the lower back, Sciatica
• Reduces the chances of heart and brain strokes
• Treats high and low blood pressure issues
• Fibromyalgia & Neuralgia

Uses and Benefits

Uses of Acupuncture therapy:

1- Acupuncture can be used for losing weight:

Acupuncture can be used for reducing fats from the belly. Inserting thin needles in the ear can enable weight loss in the body. The Naturopath shall insert a fine needle at one point of the ear that manages hunger.

However, to stimulate central weight loss around five thin needles are used. The thin needles are inserted in various points of the ear. 

2- Acupuncture used for fertility:

The underlying pressure exerted with the help of acupuncture promotes fertility. Often herbal extracts are combined with acupuncture treatment for enhanced results.

3- Acupuncture is used for healing back pain:

Among the number of treatments, Acupuncture for back pain tops the list of all. The traditional Chinese medicine is just perfect to cure chronic lower back pain. 

4- Acupuncture used to heal Migraine headaches:

Research is done by the National Institutes of health states that acupuncture can be one of the best treatments for migraine headaches. The effects of acupuncture are huge in terms of Migraine pain. 

5- Acupuncture used for mental issues:

Acupuncture for anxiety and acupuncture for depression has proved to be very effective. The therapy works just like an anti-depressant drug and releases all sorts of stress. 

Benefits of Acupuncture:

Acupuncture treatment regulates the flow of Energy and Blood, tonifying where there is a deficiency, draining where there is excess, and promoting free flow where there is stagnation. An axiom of the medical literature of acupuncture is “no pain, no blockage; no blockage, no pain.” The therapy has had tremendous effects on the Nervous System of the human body. The treatment of acupuncture involves enhanced Immune system, Cardiovascular system, Digestive, and Endocrine system too. Also, chronic pain can be effectively managed with the help of acupuncture treatment. 

Conclusion 

Acupuncture Therapy being the traditional Chinese medicine is incorporated as part of our Naturopathy treatments by AYUSH(Govt. of India)– comes without any side effects. If you are suffering from any form of the disease you can certainly look out for Acupuncture therapy. The treatment done by this method is absolutely natural. Are you wondering if the process is painful? Well, it is not! Though it involves the use of thin needles, it is conducted in such a manner that you won’t experience any Pain. When you are experiencing any of the problems mentioned above, before trying out on medicines(chemicals) or anything else, why not give Acupuncture a try?