What You Should Know About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that can be used to relieve pain and other conditions. It can also be combined with other forms of treatment. Click here to learn more about acupuncture benefits.

Acupuncturists are licensed in many states and meet certain standards for education and training. They are trained to recognize tender points on a patient's body, and to feel the meridians that connect different parts of the body.

The acupuncturist will use needles to stimulate your body's natural healing process. Your acupuncturist may also use heat and electrical stimulation to enhance your acupuncture session.

You will be placed on a padded table while your acupuncturist inserts hair-thin needles into strategic locations on your body. These needles may be inserted 3 to 10 mm (0.1 to 0.4 inch) deep, depending on your condition. The needles usually cause only a mild sensation and are inserted through skin layers rather than muscle tissue.

When the acupuncture needles reach the correct depth, they will be gently moved or twirled to increase blood flow and relieve discomfort. The needles may be left in place for up to 20 minutes while you lie still and relax on the table.

Most acupuncture treatments use 5 to 20 needles. These are inserted through skin and into specific points on your body, which correspond to the meridians. These points are called acupoints.

Several studies have shown that acupuncture is effective for a number of health problems, including pain relief and nausea and vomiting after cancer treatment. It is a safe, effective and natural treatment option.

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in China and other Asian countries, and it has been incorporated into Western medicine for many decades. It can be useful in treating chronic and acute pain, anxiety, allergies, menstrual cramps, hot flashes, and breathing problems.

Your acupuncturist will ask you about your medical history and will examine you to get an idea of your overall health. They will then recommend a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs and goals.

You may need several acupuncture treatments before you see positive results, especially if you have a long-term illness or a complex problem. Your Meridian HealthCare will provide you with an estimate of how many sessions are needed to achieve your desired outcome and how much it will cost.

When you are treated by a licensed acupuncturist, there is no risk of infection or injury. Most acupuncturists now use single-use, disposable needles, which are much less likely to infect you than old-fashioned hollow-bore needles such as those used for IV catheters and phlebotomy.

Acupuncture is an effective pain reliever for people with neck, back and joint pain. It can be used in conjunction with traditional pain medications, and it is a valuable tool for helping reduce side effects such as fatigue.

It can be helpful for people suffering from headaches, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and menstrual cramps. It can also be used for insomnia, anxiety, and stress.

There are no strict contraindications to acupuncture, and it is commonly used in the treatment of pregnant women or children with nausea and vomiting. However, if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood thinners, it is important to talk to your acupuncturist about the risks of bruising and swelling from the needles. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/acupuncture.