10 Surprising Things Acupuncture Can Help Soothe and Heal

For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to help people manage and treat all kinds of physical health challenges. This traditional form of Chinese medicine involves the careful, deliberate insertion of several thin needles, targeting key spots on the body to stimulate nerves, muscles, and connective tissues.

We've seen the amazing effects of acupuncture firsthand through our years of offering it and related Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments at Triumph Physio and Wellness. So what kinds of things can acupuncture smooth, treat, and even heal? Let’s have a look—here are 10 things acupuncture can help soothe and heal.

1. Managing symptoms of depression and anxiety

As a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture has been traditionally used to help support mental and physical health in tandem. Today, studies have shown the positive effects of this treatment on relieving symptoms of common mental illnesses such as chronic depression and anxiety.

Some people turn to acupuncture as an alternative or complementary method of treatment. Initial studies have shown that it can significantly reduce depression symptoms when performed regularly over time, with similar results for those with anxiety who haven’t responded to other treatment methods. With an experienced acupuncturist and consistent sessions, this treatment can be a valuable tool to support your mental health and manage your mood and emotions more effectively.

2. Neck and back pain

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing neck or back pain, either as a result of an injury (e.g. sports accident, car crash, etc.) or simply from your lifestyle (such as for those who work at a desk all day), acupuncture may be able to help. By strategically targeting key nerve centres all over the body, your acupuncturist can help relieve stress and tension in the neck and back (especially the lumbar/lower back region), reducing pain and even restoring mobility.

In the case of both neck and back pain, acupuncture can be an invaluable way to reduce or even remove pain without the need for conventional methods of treatment.

3. Insomnia

If you have a difficult time falling or staying asleep, acupuncture may be able to help. Two major causes of insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain, have been proven to be reduced by regular acupuncture sessions.

If your insomnia is triggered by one of these core issues, this treatment can reduce your symptoms and help you to start getting better sleep each night. Furthermore, research suggests that acupuncture may help stimulate certain neuro-transmitters which play a role in your sleep-wake cycle, aiding in the production and regulation of certain hormones. These include melatonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), all of which play a key role in our sleep cycles.

4. Lingering labour pain

It’s quite common for women to experience pain and discomfort after giving birth. Thankfully, this can be assisted with the help of an experienced acupuncturist, who will help you carefully target key pain points in the body and empower you to feel your best once again. This can be a potentially life-changing process, especially for new mothers who don’t need to be experiencing chronic body pain on top of raising a newborn baby.

5. Joint pain

Whether you’re experiencing a chronic issue such as osteoarthritis or more temporary inflammation such as tennis elbow, acupuncture can help. By strategically stimulating certain nerve endings, your acupuncturist can help reduce your body’s natural inflammation response, reducing pain and improving mobility as you take time to allow your body to heal.

6. Respiratory allergies

Though research is still ongoing, early studies have shown a clear effect of acupuncture on the symptoms of certain respiratory illnesses, such as allergic rhinitis—also known as hay fever. This disorder is characterized by moderate to severe inflammation in the nose caused by pollen, dust, or other irritants.

Some people have found acupuncture to help reduce the symptoms of hay fever with consistent treatment. This is thought to be a result of acupuncture’s beneficial effects on the immune system, helping you to better fight off allergens and feel your best year-round.

7. Excessive menstrual cramps

For those who dread their monthly cycle due to painful cramping, acupuncture might be a way to help you feel your best again. Scientific evidence has clearly shown that acupuncture is a valuable way to reduce the intensity of menstrual cramps, as well as the length of time that pain persists. Acupuncture is thought to have a cumulative effect on future period pain as well, reducing pain month over month rather than treating pain as it arises.

8. Fibromyalgia

Many studies suggest that acupuncture can be a beneficial treatment for those who experience ongoing pain caused by fibromyalgia. Characterized by muscular or musculoskeletal pain that tends to be centralized to certain parts of the body, a skilled acupuncturist can help target these tender pain points and strategically relieve them of pain and tension. Over time, acupuncture can severely reduce pain and improve mobility for those dealing with fibromyalgia.

9. IBS and other digestive health conditions

Research is still in progress to fully understand acupuncture’s benefits for digestive health, however it has shown benefits for people dealing with a number of related conditions. There has been significant research on acupuncture as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with acupuncture even outperforming medications in certain studies. Acupuncture may also help manage symptoms of gastritis, hepatitis, and hemorrhoids.

10. Frequent headaches

If you suffer from tension headaches, chronic migraines, or other pain in your head on a regular basis, it might be worth looking into acupuncture as a method of treatment. Targeting specific acupuncture points to help release tension in your head, neck, and back, your acupuncturist can assist you in overcoming the sometimes debilitating pain of chronic headaches.

Getting Started With Acupuncture

As you can see, acupuncture has the power to help with several issues. Though this form of therapy is often associated with sports medicine and other physical injury care, this traditional medicine modality has many more applications. From managing wrist pain to respiratory illness, from helping soothe stiffness to releasing pain from toothaches, acupuncture has the power to transform your health, and by extension, your life.

If you’re searching for a trusted acupuncturist working in Coquitlam, BC, we’re here to help. Our acupuncture services are custom-made to your specific needs, goals, and boundaries, ensuring you feel comfortable while we support your health journey.

Contact us today if you have more questions about acupuncture and how it works, or you'd like to get started!

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