Acupuncture Your Way To Health

By Shaquana Rodd

Medical advancements have come a long way even within the past decade but there are some practices that have remained constant and effective. While life has many on pins and needles, the same can be said about the practice of acupuncture as well. This widely known form of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years and is commonly used to treat pain, reduce stress, and improve overall wellness. You may have seen this practice used on television shows or movies but what exactly is acupuncture and what are the overall benefits? Don’t fret, we’re spilling all the chai tea on acupuncture to gear you up for another alternative to maintaining your mental, physical, and spiritual wellness because we love our RVL Tribe so much! Without further ado, here’s what acupuncture can do for you! 

What is Acupuncture

This ancient practice is more than just pins and needles. According to the National Institutes of Health, Acupuncture is a technique in which practitioners insert fine needles into the skin to treat health problems. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, one’s health should be in harmonious balance and when imbalance occurs, pains and health issues tend to surface. To assist in restoring balance these fine needles are placed into acupuncture points throughout the body and an effort to balance life forces known as Qi. The needles may be manipulated manually or stimulated with small electrical currents through electroacupuncture. This wellness practice has been around for over 2500 years leaving a lasting impact on patients from all cultural backgrounds and walks of life.

The Benefits

Essentially, Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. Upon stimulation, chemicals are released into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These changes encourage stimulation throughout the body and promote natural healing abilities along with  physical and emotional well-being. While most associate acupuncture with pain related conditions such as migraines, sciatica, and fibromyalgia, it has also been used to improve the quality of life for conditions like seasonal allergies, asthma, urinary incontinence, and infertility. While this method of therapy can be used singularly, it may be effective when combined with additional medical forms of treatment. As a precautionary measure always seek advice from your medical professional before seeking acupuncture services.

Types of Acupuncture

Many report very minimal pain when receiving acupuncture care but if the thought of needles makes you nervous, there are other options available. Cupping and Moxibustion are just a few different types of therapy that aim to provide relief and release to the body as well. Moxibustion involves using heat therapy to warm meridians or strings that connect acupuncture points to improve blood flow, strengthen the immune system, and promote healing using the mugwort herb.

Cupping on the other hand, uses suction cups to pull your skin upward and move blood away from pain causing areas in the body. This vacuum method has been found to improve arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, as well as hypertension. Like other forms of therapy, acupuncture isn’t a quick fix. To see improvement, multiple sessions are required over time to notice and maintain pain management and Qi balance.

Life is all about finding balance and there are many ways to address it through various mediums. Acupuncture may be that viable answer to pain management regarding minor to chronic conditions. Remember to conduct your own independent research and consult a doctor first to ensure such treatments are aligned with achieving the ultimate success of reducing pain and imbalance. Self-Care is pertinent to longevity and our overall well-being in this life so don’t walk but run as fast as you can toward the path of prioritizing your health and wellness now, your body will thank you later. Have you ever tried acupuncture before, we’d like to hear about your experience below? We revel in our tribe’s self-care journey and love to see you all happy, healthy, and adjusted. 

Love always,

RVL Wellness