To some people, acupuncture can seem like a scary and potentially painful treatment. Which can make it seem like an unappealing option. After all, acupuncturists insert needles through the skin to yield specific results. It is easy to see how this can seem off putting. The results, however, speak for themselves.
Millions of people utilize acupuncture, and when you dig deeper, it’s evident that this practice involves more than short-lived pain. In fact, despite outward appearances, there’s actually very little pain involved with this complementary and alternative treatment.
Acupuncture uses skinny needles, unlike the needles used for injections or IVs. Most people don’t even feel them placed in the skin, which is impressive, considering one acupuncture treatment might use up to 20 needles!
How Does Acupuncture Work?
The acupuncturist doesn’t just place the needles anywhere on the body but instead leverages specific pressure points during the treatment, sometimes called acupuncture points.
There are several different pressure points to target, including the back, palms, and feet. Acupuncture points are thought to stimulate the nervous system and release healing biochemicals to the spinal cord, brain, and muscles.
Acupuncture is an ancient practice beginning in China approximately 3,000 years ago. The first acupuncture documentation with an organized system of diagnosis and treatment is in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, a piece of Chinese medical text written in 2600 BC.
According to animal and human studies, research supports acupuncture’s ability to influence our body’s nervous system. The treatment may also directly impact the tissue where the needles are inserted.
Some science suggests the remaining effects could be placebo, but there’s enough existing research and anecdotal evidence to prove that there’s something meaningful behind acupuncture treatment. At the very least, it’s evidence that acupuncture therapy can be explored further.
Does Acupuncture Work?
There are several promising studies about acupuncture and how it helps various conditions.
Acupuncture for Back Pain
One 2017 study published in the Journal of Pain concluded that “acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, with treatment effects persisting over time.” Researchers identified just a tiny decrease (15%) in the lasting effects of acupuncture treatments after one year!
This is an exciting development amid the opioid crisis, which made up nearly 75% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020. Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain, and patients who don’t carefully monitor their dosages can get addicted to opioids—even though the medication was prescribed.
The risk of addiction steers many pain patients clear of opioids, and instead, they seek alternative treatments like acupuncture.
Acupuncture for Sciatica
Roughly 40% of people in the U.S. experience sciatica pain or numbness at some point in their life. In other words: it’s common. Sciatica is nerve pain that starts in the buttocks/gluteal area and can radiate all the way down your legs and into your feet and toes.
Research shows acupuncture could help manage pain originating from the sciatic nerve.
Acupuncture for Migraines
Migraines can undoubtedly fall under the category of “chronic pain,” which leads many patients to an opioid prescription. For some, the risk of opioid addiction isn’t worth it, and they are left to explore alternative options to combat pain from migraines. There are also many migraine medications available, but they don’t work for everyone, and those left without relief may need an alternative.
Current research suggests mixed results utilizing acupuncture for migraines. However, there is certainly enough evidence to say this treatment option needs to be explored further. Migraines affect more than 10% of people across the world, so researching alternative treatments comes with a lot of benefits.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
You won’t walk out of an acupuncture treatment 20 pounds lighter. However, research suggests that acupuncture therapy could support specific biological functions that aid in weight management—like digestion, reducing stress, and improving metabolism.
Stress has long been linked to obesity. Heightened cortisol levels, which occur during periods of stress, increase appetite preference for “comfort foods,” according to one study. So, reducing stress can certainly help with weight reduction. Acupuncture points also influence blood sugar and appetite levels.
Acupuncture for Anxiety
Several studies have shown the promising potential benefits of acupuncture for anxiety. Nearly 7 million U.S. adults have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), yet less than half receive treatment. In part because some patients don’t want to rely on medication.
That’s where acupuncture can be beneficial. One 2015 study found that acupuncture improved symptoms in people with anxiety who didn’t respond to other treatments. In time, acupuncture could become a mainstream treatment for anxiety and other mental health conditions.
Acupuncture for Fertility
Chances are, you know someone who has struggled with infertility. Roughly 1 in 5 (19%) of women cannot get pregnant after one year of trying, which is the marker of an infertile diagnosis. It can be a painstaking process, and most women are left to seek any available option.
One study concluded that acupuncture “shows great results” in both women and men in treating infertility. “Acupuncture can be considered a successful treatment in restoring fertility in the patients, by improving the sperm quality and ovaries function and balancing the endocrine system and hormones,” the study reads.
Find a Licenced Acupuncturist
Acupuncturists are most often located in their own clinics. Sometimes they work out of spas or other wellness facilities. You can also find an acupuncturist through the American Society of Acupuncturists’ website.
Or, you can source an acupuncturist through an alternative health provider. Heally believes in whole-body treatments, which sometimes involve alternative methods and CAM therapies like acupuncture. Our team is made up of online and in-person healthcare providers who are focused on holistic care.
Ready for your first acupuncture session? Speak to a doctor today!
