What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is an old healing practice of traditional Chinese medicine dating back over 4,000 years. It still remains effective today as a way to strengthen the body rather than merely treating symptoms. It is primarily used to relieve pain as well as treat other conditions. More than 3 million Americans and 200,000 children in the U.S. have had acupuncture to help relieve a symptom or condition. Because of its low side effects, it has been the treatment of choice for many doctors across the country. It is even more popular in other countries.
It is a way of balancing the body. It uses thin needles placed at specific points in the body. Brookings Chiropractic Center and Physical Therapy is trained to know where to locate these points for the related condition or symptom. When these specific points are stimulated, your body’s function improves and begins a self-healing process. An acupuncture session will typically last 20 minutes. Brookings Chiropractic Center and Physical Therapy will develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs. The number of treatments will vary among each individual or condition. The best acupuncture is painless despite popular belief. Many patients even report being more relaxed after receiving treatment. Acupuncture is a safe, alternative treatment for pain. It has fewer side effects than medications you may be taking to relieve your pain.
What does a typical session look like?
A typical session begins after your initial visit to assess your health condition and goals. Before you start any treatment plan, it is important to know the benefits and risks to make sure it is the right choice for you. Brookings Chiropractic Center and Physical Therapy will place the sterile needles in specific points of the body. The needles will be left for a short period of time. This allows the body a chance to balance and start healing itself. The needles will then be removed. You are free to return to normal daily activities following your acupuncture treatment session. It is recommended to drink plenty of water to help in the detoxifying process.
When should you consider Acupuncture?
Acupuncture has been gaining popularity in the U.S. even though it has been around for thousands of years. Acupuncture should be considered as a potential alternative to pain medications or steroid treatments. It is also a “complementary” medicine meaning it can be used along with other treatments like spinal adjustments. What conditions can Acupuncture help treat? Even though acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, it has started gaining popularity recently. More and more people are turning to alternative care as the success of this industry grows. The best acupuncture relieves many symptoms and problems. It has long been known to alleviate chronic pain. It is especially beneficial for back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, chronic headaches and shoulder pain. Acupuncture has also been known to relieve other symptoms including, but not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Digestion
- Infertility
- Low Back Pain
- Menstrual Cramps
- Neck Pain
- Smoking Cessation
- Stress
- Weight Loss
The World Health Organization also recognizes the following conditions as having benefited from acupuncture treatments:
- High and low blood pressure
- Morning sickness
- Arthritis
- Dental pain
- Labor inducer
- Reduces the risk of stroke
Acupuncture has also been effective in reducing symptoms of nausea and vomiting due to cancer treatments. Many patients get acupuncture concurrently with their cancer treatments. With the growing opioid epidemic, more physicians are turning to a more natural approach for pain relief. Some physicians prefer acupuncture over prescription medicine due to the low risk of complications and adverse side effects.
What are the risks?
Although acupuncture is generally safe and serious problems are rare, there are some risks and concerns associated with the procedure. Acupuncture may not be right for you if you have a blood disorder or take blood thinners. It is crucial to visit a licensed physician when receiving acupuncture. Any non-licensed individual could be using needles that are not sterile or could puncture too far into your skin. That is why it is important to come to Brookings Chiropractic Center and Physical Therapy where our chiropractor is skilled and trained to give you the best acupuncture treatment with all the benefits you are seeking. Our chiropractor will develop a treatment plan specific to your needs. Some people find complete relief in just one visit while other individuals may need to be seen once or twice a week for several months. Treatment varies based on your condition, pain level, and how long you have been experiencing symptoms. Every patient has a unique experience with acupuncture due to duration, frequency and condition being treated. When we are balanced, health and well-being exists. When we are out of balance, illness and disease manifest. Let Brookings Chiropractic Center and Physical Therapy get you back on track to a healthier you.