Things You Didn’t Know About Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient healing method that most people know about, but do you? Today we’ll explore the fascinating world of acupuncture, and some of it’s lesser-known facts. Acupuncture is a form of bodywork based on the ancient Chinese practice of inserting tiny needles in different areas of the body to help with health concerns. We diagnose imbalances by using techniques like the cun measurement or measuring qi stagnation.

Acupuncture treats more than pain

Acupuncture can be used to treat pain – which is the most common reason why people turn to acupuncture in the first place. However, there are many other benefits that can be achieved with regular treatments, such as:

• Depression and anxiety
• Adverse reactions to chemotherapy treatments
• Seasonal allergies
• Postpartum healing
• Headaches and chronic migraines
• Discomforts caused by pregnancy
• Nausea
• Ulcers
• Arthritis
• Stroke
• Insomnia
• Pediatric medicine
• Weight Loss

And that’s just to name a few; there is so much more that acupuncture can help with. Acupuncture can even aid other health care professionals like podiatrists.

Acupuncture does not hurt

One of the key appeals of acupuncture is that it’s a painless and relaxing experience. Needles inserted in the skin barely go in at all, typically no more than one-quarter of an inch. When the needles are inserted, people often feel a tingling but pleasant sensation. It’s sometimes compared to a deep tissue massage. On average, an acupuncture treatment only takes about 30 minutes.

Acupuncture has been in practice for over 3,000 years

Acupuncture has been practiced for centuries. The first needles were made of stone, bone and copper. Acupuncture operates in the ancient Chinese understanding of how energy flows throughout the body. Understanding this flow and its connection to body wellness is parallel to chiropractic studies of the central nervous system, which deals with nerve communication and body function. A common way to describe the usage of acupuncture by conventional medicine is that it is a system of medicine based on the theory that energy flow throughout the body is necessary for physical and mental health. Acupuncture points are believed to be located at locations where energy can be stimulated and released, which helps clear blockages and promote blood flow. Acupuncture is considered one option for people who want a more holistic and natural healing experience.

Acupuncture has been around for a long time, and it’s come a long way. The invention of guide tubes in the 1600s revolutionized the acupuncture world. Waichi Sugiyama, the Father of Japanese Acupuncture, created the tubes because he lost his eyesight at a young age, but we still use them today! He had to use them to guide the needles, this also allowed other acupuncturists to start using finer needles.

Acupuncture requires a series of visits

Your very first acupuncture treatment may not be a one-time cure-all; instead, it will require many treatments. Like chiropractic care, acupuncture works best with a full assessment, which will require a series of consistent visits. Depending on your circumstance, your wellness strategy may include multiple visits per week or once a week. Factors such as age and condition will also play a role in how quickly you see progress.

If you would like to learn more about acupuncture, or even begin training to help people with the use of acupuncture, yourself. Take a look at some of the acupuncture courses that we offer. Our CPD in medical acupuncture sports and exercise medicine subscription provides unlimited access to online CPD training in medical acupuncture, dry needling and sports and exercise medicine for £9.99 p/m.