Acupuncture originates from China and has been practiced there for thousands of years. Now it has spread rapidly in Western Europe, the United States and Canada. Why is acupuncture so popular? This is because acupuncture not only brings few side effects but also does great benefit to the health.
1. Relieve the pain
Helping with chronic and acute pain is one of the most common applications of acupuncture. Arthritis, neck pain, back pain, menstrual pain, carpal tunnel, joint sprains and strains, digestive pain etc. are very commonly helped by acupuncture. If you experience migraine, cluster and other headaches you can often find relief right there on the table. The results can be amazing.
2. Boosts the effectiveness of medicines
A study from China, published in the August issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that a low-dose of fluoxetine (Prozac) combined with acupuncture therapy was just as effective at reducing anxiety in patients being treated for depression as full-dose medication. Cutting the dose and adding acupuncture also reduced the drug's side effects, which can include nausea, weight gain, and a decreased sex drive.
3. Strengthening your immune system
This can be accomplished through balancing your body's energy systems with acupuncture. Stress, illness, environmental toxins, and allergies are just a few of the causes of a weakened immune system.
4. Benefit the pregnancy and fertility
Acupuncture is an ideal form of treatment before, during and after pregnancy. It offers women a drug-free option for many problems that may arise from conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Regular acupuncture treatments throughout pregnancy can enhance the health and well-being of the mother. In addition, the benefits of acupuncture are evident in many infertility related conditions such as advanced maternal age, endometriosis, luteal phase defect, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature ovarian failure, and unexplained infertility.
5. Lose the weight
In clinical practice, acupuncture works by curbing appetite, quelling cravings, boosting metabolism, improving digestion, regulating obesity-related hormones and enhancing the way nutrients are used. It also strengthens the function of the liver, the organ that produces many chemicals critical for digestion, processing nutrients and breaking down of fats.
6. Counteracts the side effects of radiation therapy
Cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment are likely to suffer a variety of side effects, depending on the part of the body being treated. However, acupuncture therapy has been found to have some effect on the perception of how bad those effects can be, particularly for nausea and dry mouth, common in patients receiving radiation to the head and neck.
