Exploring The Hidden Benefits Of Acupuncture

23 Sep Exploring The Hidden Benefits Of Acupuncture

Many people have heard of acupuncture and the potential benefits that come with it. Essentially it is a treatment that uses very thin needles that are inserted into a person’s skin at varying depths. Numerous studies and practitioners claim that it can help alleviate pain and other symptoms throughout the body.

While many people have heard of the pain revilement that it brings, there are also some hidden benefits that many people are unaware of. Below we are going to explore those hidden benefits and how everyone can benefit from acupuncture.

Help lose weight

It might sound crazy, how does acupuncture lead to weight loss? While there are no quick fixes to lose weight, this type of therapy can definitely help push you in the right direction. So how does it work? Inserting the needles into certain points around your body will release endorphins. These endorphins will allow you to relax, become calm, and manage your stress and frustration levels more effectively.

A common way that people put on weight is through stress eating or overeating. Releasing those endorphins allows you to manage stress and stop overeating. They also help your hormonal and digestive systems so that you are processing your food efficiently (ie keeping your metabolism at a healthy level).

Helps make your medication more effective

It is important to take this hidden benefit with a grain of salt as more studies need to be conducted to have a clear understanding. There were studies released in 2011 from China that showcased that low doses of Prozac in conjunction with acupuncture had the same results as a higher dose of the same drug. In addition to this therapy working wonders in conjunction with artificial drugs, it has also been found that it reduces the side effects of many others. Reducing the dose and combined with the therapy found patients had less nausea, weight gain, and increased sex drive.

Relief for headaches

A study that was published at the Duke Medical Center explored that acupuncture was better at reducing the frequency and severity of headaches than medication. In addition to the pain relief to be stronger than medication, the patients found that they also had fewer side effects. This is a great piece of news considering that many people spend a lot of money on medication and/or other treatment options to get rid of their lasting headaches or migraines.

Reduces the severity of heartburn

Unfortunately, if you suffer from heartburn there is no way to get rid of it completely however there are ways to reduce the severity of it. Recently conducted studies have found that acupuncture was able to mitigate the effects of heartburn on pregnant women. If your body doesn’t agree with antacids or medication and you are pregnant then definitely try this. Like we mentioned above, while there is no way to get rid of it completely, it is still a measure to improve your quality of life.

It can help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Many people who have suffered from trauma in their life may experience PTSD. This is most common with army veterans coming back from the station and having to face what they saw while they were over there. As this issue is becoming more prevalent the need for an effective treatment continues to grow.

Acupuncture is being used on veterans at the National University of Health Sciences. The needles are triggering the kidney which strengthens the body’s immune system and energy to control fear and anxiety. The liver is another trigger point that controls anger and also offers a detox effect on drug and alcohol use.