The Amazing World of Acupuncture: What You Need to Know

Living with pain is awful and many women over 50 experience it on a daily basis. Be it the pain that stems from your childhood knee injury or the mental pain that comes with coping with anxiety. No matter whether your pain is in your body, mind, heart or soul—a possible cure is out there. Acupuncture is an excellent option waiting to take your pain away. 

We’re talking about acupuncture, of course! You may know that acupuncture has long been used for pain relief, but did you know that this alternative medicine has many other uses? From using acupuncture for fertility boosts to help combat the battle of depression, we’re about to introduce you to the amazing world of acupuncture. 

The Basics: What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one branch of the intricate Traditional Chinese Medicine system. While its ability to cure or alleviate the symptoms of certain illnesses is yet to be proven, it’s widely regarded as a practice that can boost your overall wellbeing. 

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, health is described as the harmonious balance between yin and yang within our life force. This life force is referred to as qi. According to the ancient concept behind Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi flows through the pathways of the body which are known as meridians. 

When a blockage of qi occurs, our health suffers. To unblock these blockages, acupuncture must be performed to restore the proper flow of qi and promote balances between yin and yang. 

On a practical level, it consists of the insertion of needles into certain areas of the body. It can be a standalone treatment or used in conjunction with other forms of treatment. The needles are generally thin and made from sterile, single-use, surgical stainless steel. Between five and 20 needles are inserted into the skin for a period of 10 to 20 minutes. 

Acupuncture and its Many Uses 

Perhaps the reason why acupuncture is so popular is that it can be used to treat so many different conditions and ailments. Today we’ll be focusing on just four of its most prominent uses.    

Acupuncture for Chronic Pain 

I’m sure you’re familiar with the aches, pains, bumps, and bruises that life dishes out during our life journeys. For some people, pain is not an occasional visitor to their body but rather a constant, unwelcome, companion.  

Living with chronic pain is incredibly difficult and not everyone wants to medicate themselves with pharmaceuticals. Because of this, those suffering from chronic pain often turn to acupuncture as a source of relief. The types of pain that are best treated by acupuncture include:

• Neck pain 
• Upper and lower back pain 
• Knee pain and osteoarthritis 
• Shoulder pain 
• Post-operative pain 

Acupuncture for your Mental Wellbeing 

Acupuncture is as connected to the mind and soul as it is to the body. Because of this deep-rooted connection between mind and soul, acupuncture is often used to assist people with managing their anxiety, improving their depression & decreasing their stress levels.

When used as a treatment for depression, acupuncture is targeted at twelve different acupoints. These acupoints include Qihai (CV6), Zhongwan (CV12), Taizi (K13), Sanyingjiao (SP6) and Yanglingquan (GB34). Acupuncture can also be extremely relaxing, which can help you to deal with the stress and anxiety that come with everyday life. 

 Acupuncture for Fertility 

Many of us decide to start a family later in life; in fact, with more women becoming career-focused, the age to start having babies is on the rise. But sometimes when you put off starting a family for a while, it can be difficult to conceive. Because of this, many women turn to IVF treatments to help them. 

In order to increase the chances of successfully conceiving, plenty of women turn to acupuncture for fertility in conjunction with IVF treatments. But be prepared; if a baby isn’t on the cards for you, it’s not a given that when you undergo acupuncture pregnancy will occur. 

Acupuncture for Headaches, Migraines and Tension Headaches 

How many times have you taken a pain killer to alleviate a headache, only to spend the next few hours clutching your head in pain regardless? For many people who found themselves in this scenario one too many times, acupuncture provided a much-needed respite. 

There is a lot of research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for headaches. Studies have concluded that acupuncture can provide short-term relief to those suffering and may reduce the frequency & severity of headaches. 

Scientifically speaking, acupuncture is referred to as pseudoscience and there is little in the way of conducive research results to confirm its effectiveness. But talk to someone who has experienced acupuncture for themselves and you’ll hear a very different story. 

We hope that you found value in this article and that you’ll soon try out acupuncture & experience its many benefits for yourself. So, tell us: will you be turning to this centuries-old form of traditional medication to help you deal with your modern-day health issues? Let us know down below.

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