What Can’t Acupuncture Treat?

This year, an independent non-profit, the Joint Commission, mandated that all hospitals accredited by the organization are required to provide acupuncture and other non-pharmacological pain management modalities as a strategy option for pain management. Did you also know that, last year, the American College of Physicians changed its guidelines to “strongly recommend” that physicians look first at non-drug therapies when treating acute, sub-acute and chronic cases of lower back pain.

It’s 2018. Don’t you think it’s time we removed acupuncture from the folder marked “Other” and started treating it as the effective solutions that it is. Study after study, research continues to reveal the efficacy of acupuncture. Non-pharmacological treatment has proven indispensable in the treatment of most major health conditions. How about we examine some you probably didn’t know acupuncture could treat?

Menopause Symptoms

You can already read past posts about hot flash relief and how acupuncture brings balance to women’s health. Did you know that acupuncture can even help with night sweats? Insomnia and mood swings are also alleviated by acupuncture treatment. According to a recent study, acupuncture reduced menopause symptoms by 40%. After eight treatments, maximum results are achieved and tend to last for at least six months. A combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine is recommended for the best results.

Environmental Allergies

Antihistamines were always the way to go when allergies struck. Now, when sniffing, sneezing or a runny nose is the problem, publications like the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy recommend acupuncture as an adjunct therapy. It remains the primary alternative for allergy sufferers who are not satisfied with the results of conventional medicine or suffer from side effects.

Scars

Acupuncture needles stimulate healing. Moxibustion increases circulation. Soothing lotions, such as Zheng gu shui or aloe vera, reduce pain. All of these are elements of Chinese medicine that encourage healing. There is even hope when it comes to older scars and scar tissue, in terms of appearance and mobility.

Nerve Damage

Acupuncture works by stimulating the central and periphery nervous systems. This makes it an effective form of neurological medicine. Acupuncturists are known to treat everything from nerve injuries and pinched nerves to sciatica and numbness/tingling of the hands, legs, arms and feet.

Wrinkle Reduction

It may not be a chronic health concern but it is a persistent one nonetheless. Folks are still looking for ways to combat the signs of aging, improve inner vitality and achieve a healthy appearance. Cosmetic acupuncture is a non-toxic, non-surgical way of looking and feeling your best at any age. The secret is acupuncture’s ability to increase circulation to regions of the body, such as the face. This nourishes the skin. It stimulates natural collagen production. Even the tension in your facial muscles will dissipate.