Acupuncture can reduce chronic pain

This healing method is most often used for pain relief, usually as a supplementary treatment. Western biomedical science has long been trying to figure out the science behind traditional Chinese acupuncture and acupuncture points.

Nowadays the most popular and widely-accepted western theory is that acupuncture releases endorphins – acting as a kind of natural morphine, endorphins interacts with the receptors of the brain reducing the perception of pain, and also triggering positive feelings in the body. Scientific studies suggest, the release of endorphins explains how acupuncture treats pain, and why the treatment is also accounted for the prominently relaxed feeling many people have during and after an acupuncture treatment.

Although explaining how acupuncture works in exact “Western terms” might be difficult, it is undoubted that as a natural form of healing, acupuncture has the following benefits:

• Provides drug-free pain relief.

• Effectively treats a wide range of acute and chronic ailments.

• Treats not only the visible and palpable symptoms of any disease and illness, but is also capable of treating the underlying cause.

• Traditional Chinese acupuncturists believe that illness and pain mostly occur when the body's “qi”, or vital energy, cannot flow freely. This holistic approach of the traditional acupuncture helps to link the body, mind and emotions of the patients as well.

• Helps general well-being.

What types of pain does acupuncture treat?

Most people think that drugs and surgery are the most modern and most efficient remedies to relieve pain. However, there are astonishing alternative medical methods proven to relieve pain just as competently as drugs.

Pain tends to come in two varieties: acute and chronic. And acupuncture treatment can be very helpful for both. It has been proven to be very effective for a variety of musculoskeletal pain, such as pain in the joints and muscles, as well as for chronic neck, back, lower back, shoulder, and knee pain.

In 2012, researchers conducted a study examining the effect of acupuncture treatment on chronic pain. The research has included nearly 18,000 people being treated for chronic pain from osteoarthritis, headaches, neck, back, or shoulder pain. It has evaluated true acupuncture treatments in comparison to one of two alternatives: treatment as usual – including drugs – or sham acupuncture – needling at not the right acupuncture points.

The scientific research concluded the discovery that acupuncture treatment has a "clear and robust" effect in the management and relief of chronic back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as of osteoarthritis and headaches.

It has also been proven that traditional Chinese acupuncture is a “safe and effective” method to treat children and teenagers with chronic pain as well. Moreover, there are other situations such as addiction, stroke rehabilitation, menstrual cramps, tennis elbow (http://physio-medicine.co.uk/news/what-is-tennis-elbow.html) , carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma and infertility (http://physio-medicine.co.uk/news/the-link-between-acupuncture-and-infertility.html) where acupuncture may be useful as an adjunct treatment.

How long is the treatment?

Acupuncture can be very effective, but rarely does it fix all the physical problems in one treatment. Each patient is unique and responds to acupuncture treatment differently, so the number and regularity of treatments can vary from patient to patient, but be prepared to attend more sections for full recovery.

Since traditional Chinese acupuncture addresses the health of the whole body, there are people that seek acupuncture treatment regularly to sustain good physical and mental health, as well as to improve their overall well-being.

How to choose an acupuncturist?

When seeking help to reduce chronic pain by acupuncture treatment, the most important thing is to look for an appropriate and professional expert. Always and only make appointments with licensed acupuncturists. Feel free to ask around and find out if any of your friends have seen someone they would recommend. Or as the easiest step, book (http://physio-medicine.co.uk/#booknow) an appointment now with our experienced and professional acupuncturists.