A balanced life. That’s what so many people seek. They want excellent mental, physical, and spiritual health. We compartmentalize these parts of our life. Each receives different attention, and when needed, treatment plans. Rarely do we look at them as being interconnected to each other.
We receive prescriptions or various therapies to treat ailments and conditions that happen when something is off. They will often fix a problem or symptom. But they don’t always get to the root of the issue.
What most people are looking for (even if they don’t realize it) is holistic health.
This is a term you may have heard before. But what does it mean?
Holistic health is the treatment of a person’s entire well-being, not an isolated condition.
Acupuncture embodies these principles. It’s an experience that can positively impact your mind and body.
In a series of blogs, we’ll be walking you through the acupuncture experience. We’ll look into how this practice works, what it does to our bodies, and how it can help you.
We want to start by examining how acupuncture affects our minds. What does it do to our brain that creates so many positive responses?
Acupuncture has become a common treatment for behavioral and mental health. Thousands of people battle stress, anxiety, and depression.
These overwhelming feelings affect our entire body. The physical and mental components of our lives need to be in sync. When one is out of balance, it can result in problems with the other.
For thousands of years, acupuncture has been practiced as a means to achieve holistic health.
Maybe you’ve received acupuncture treatment before. Or you’re trying to learn more about it. Let’s examine how acupuncture works and what makes it an effective treatment option.
So what does acupuncture really do to our brains?
Acupuncture can change your brain (in a good way). And there’s solid evidence to back this up. The wonderful thing about acupuncture is it triggers your body to self-heal. According to The Bustle, acupuncture releases a chemical called neuropeptides. Once it’s in our body’s nervous system, it stimulates pain relief and begins the healing process.
You can get painkillers over the counter, or you can let your brain’s natural pain meds do the job. Acupuncture releases endorphins, the body’s natural chemical that helps ease pain.
It boosts your mood and immune system. Your brain’s neurotransmitters, how your brain communicates, are boosted by acupuncture treatment.
The reactions your brain induces play a role in achieving balance in your mind and body.
A complementary therapy
Many patients turn to acupuncture because they are frustrated. They’ve tried other medications or therapies and nothing is working well.
While acupuncture often helps these patients, it can work very well as a complementary therapy. The National Institutes of Health cite a German study in which patients who received acupuncture for neck pain, along with other care, had more pain relief than those who didn’t receive acupuncture.
Combined with your other treatment options, acupuncture can be the key to healing for you.
Acupuncture can treat mental health issues
People battling anxiety and mental health issues are often given prescription drugs. Acupuncture can complement these treatments.
Acupuncture treats mental health challenges as a holistic problem. An imbalance of the chemicals in your body can lead to stress and depression.
PsychCental references a study that compared the results of acupuncture treatment for anxiety with cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers found that each had very similar effects on patients who participated.
The Journal of Complementary Medicine, produced by the National Institutes of Health produced important findings on acupuncture and the treatment of depression. Overall, acupuncture, compared to a leading anti-depressant drug, demonstrated better results for patients in the study.
Research is continuing to show the positive effects of acupuncture. It activates a response from our brains that provides relief.
Treat the cause, not the symptom
Acupuncture heals. It’s not a temporary fix or symptom solution. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, acupuncture takes into account your whole body health. Acupuncturists observe issues that may not be so obvious and work to restore your health.
We’re here to walk you through the acupuncture experience
We’ve seen the benefits of acupuncture work for our patients. More than a few have sought us out after no other treatment worked. They achieved great results.
Our goal is to provide education and resources. We want to help you understand what the acupuncture experience is all about. If you have questions or want to learn more about treatment options, check out our services.