Long practised in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is an alternative therapy that involves using needles to stimulate specific points on the body.
These points are said to connect with certain pathways that carry vital energy throughout the body.
According to the theory of acupuncture, blockages in the flow of “chi” disrupt well-being and lead to illness. By stimulating acupuncture points, practitioners aim to clear up blockages and restore health and vitality.
Acupuncture treats the root cause of imbalances and as the person heals, the symptoms disappear.
Because Chinese medicine is a full system of medicine, it can potentially treat anything. It has been found to be particularly effective for pain problems; back and neck pain, tendonitis, sports injuries, knee injuries, fibromyalgia and headaches – including migraines. Digestive and gynaecological illnesses are also responsive to acupuncture. Immunity problems, degenerative diseases, chronic fatigue and energy problems can be helped in many instances where western medicine has no answers.
Chinese medicine is at its strongest in preventative medicine where the goal is to bring a person into balance and maintain them there. When a person is in balance, life and its inevitable ups and downs become more workable and there is strength and energy to deal with what comes.
People often associate needles with painful medical experiences.
Those who have not experienced acupuncture compare it to the only experiences they’ve had – injections or blood draws – and imagine it to be somewhat like that, only with more needles.
The good news is it isn’t like that at all.
The sensation produced by an acupuncture needle is much milder than a shot or having blood drawn. Acupuncture needles are solid rather than hollow in the middle; hollow needles hurt more. Also, acupuncture needles are much thinner than hypodermic needles.
In fact, some are not much thicker than a human hair. Sometimes, you don’t even notice it.
The number of needles used during an acupuncture treatment depends on what is being treated. Once the needles are in, typical sensations may include a mild feeling of energy movement, a slight tingly feeling, or merely an increased sense of relaxation.
It is not uncommon to be so deeply relaxed as to fall asleep during the treatment.
Kelly Lanza is a wellness representative based in Cayman Islands.
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