Discover the benefits of acupuncture for pain relief with Meri Sehat. Explore this traditional practice for holistic well-being.

Acupuncture: Pin down the pain

Introduction

<a href="https://merisehat.pk/article/is-acupuncture-the-right-choice-for-you">Acupuncture</a> is a traditional Chinese medical practice that involves inserting very thin needles in the skin at specific points on the body. It&#39;s often used as a pain relief alternative for many conditions and ailments, including chronic pain and stress-related disorders.&nbsp;

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Many people who have tried acupuncture say that they have experienced significant pain relief and a reduction in their symptoms. Acupuncture is often used as a pain relief alternative for many conditions and ailments, including:

<ul>
	<li>Arthritis</li>
	<li>Back pain</li>
	<li>Labor pain</li>
	<li>Osteoarthritis&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fibromyalgia</li>
	<li>Neck injury, like whiplash</li>
	<li>Headaches, migraines, or facial pain</li>
</ul>

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It&#39;s important to note that not all types of acupuncture are created equal; some methods might prove to be more effective than others in any case. For example, some types of acupuncture work better for back pain as compared to others. If it&rsquo;s possible, it&rsquo;s suggested to try different types before settling on one.

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Also, the number of sessions vary from person to person<a href="#accordion">[1]</a>. Frequency of appointments, too, depends on the condition being treated, how long the patient has been suffering from it, and how quickly their body responds to.

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Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an alternative to medication. Acupuncture uses needles to stimulate certain energy pathways in the body, which are called meridians. There are strategic acupuncture points along these meridians in all areas of the body, which means that stimulating them can relieve pain or improve how a person feels overall. Applying pressure on these acupuncture points actually triggers the central nervous system to release chemicals into the different parts of the body that induces a healing effect on the body parts. 
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It&rsquo;s not just for pain relief! Acupuncture has also been shown to relieve everything from anxiety and depression to asthma symptoms and arthritis pain. And if you don&#39;t have any health issues, but just want something done about that mind-numbing stress at work (or everywhere else), acupuncture might be right up your alley. It even has a calming effect on people who aren&#39;t necessarily feeling bad<a href="#accordion">[2]</a>.&nbsp;

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When it comes to acupuncture, it&rsquo;s important to choose a licensed practitioner who knows what they are doing. With the current rise in fame of the procedure, the market is getting saturated with all kinds of people calling themselves an expert. Do not rely on them!&nbsp;

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Since the process involves needles and blood, also ensure that the premises use single-use disposable needles to minimize instances of infection.&nbsp;

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It&rsquo;s best if the practitioner is informed beforehand if the patient:

1. Takes blood thinners (chance of bruising)

2. Has bleeding disorders (chance of bleeding)

3. Has a pacemaker (might interfere with how pacemaker operates)

4. Is pregnant (might induce labor and result in preterm birth)

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The treatment starts off with the insertion of thin needles into certain spots determined by the acupuncturist on the body. This insertion may cause discomfort. Remember, every acupuncturist has their own way to go about the process and one may differ from the other. Ideally, though, the acupuncturist should examine:

<ul>
	<li>Heart beat or pulse</li>
	<li>Face&rsquo;s skin tone</li>
	<li>Shape and color of tongue</li>
	<li>Parts of the body that are in discomfort</li>
</ul>

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A session normally takes around 60 minutes. The frequency of the treatment varies on the issues that are being faced and the overall duration is dependent on the severity of the issues. On average, an acupuncturist gets a job done in 6-8 treatments.

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The needles that are used for insertion are very thin. In some cases, they cause discomfort, but in the majority of cases, it is not even felt at all by the individual. The needle is then manipulated by the acupuncturist &ndash; they would either twirl it or apply external heat or electrical pulses. After 10-15 minutes, the needles are removed from the body.&nbsp; 
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The current rise in fame of alternative medicine has led everyone to focus on just the pros. There are two sides to every picture and it is vital to keep in mind the both sides to make an informed decision. Here are some of the common disadvantages of acupuncture<a href="#accordion">[3]</a>:

<ul>
	<li>In some treatments, acupuncture can actually worsen symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, the treatment can cause more fatigue and pain.</li>
	<li>There is uncertainty in the results. While this is expected out of every other operation or procedure, the results are so varied that there is no way to know whether the procedure would really work or not.</li>
	<li>The right acupuncturist can make or break everything. The entire foundation of an effective treatment depends on the experience and knowledge of the acupuncturist. If they are not professional, they wouldn&rsquo;t just ruin an individual&rsquo;s experience, but would also fail to provide any significant result.</li>
	<li>The patient&rsquo;s safety is of utmost importance and treatment by a non licensed person can worsen matters.</li>
	<li>Patients who go in with a positive attitude tend to get better effects due to the placebo effect.</li>
	<li>The procedure may be too costly to spend on a &lsquo;chance&rsquo; of getting better or getting some relief. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

Acupuncture is a great way to relieve pain and other ailments. Make an appointment at the local health clinic or wellness center. What needs to be understood is that not everyone has the same reaction to this form of treatment: it can turn out to be really beneficial or it may not have any impact.&nbsp;

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