Acupuncture Benefits

You’ve likely got a friend that has tried acupuncture. Or a friend of a friend, at least. But what is acupuncture exactly?

It is defined as a system of complementary medicine that involves pricking the skin or tissues with needles (its nothing to be scared of), used to alleviate pain and to treat various physical, mental and emotional conditions. Originating in ancient China, acupuncture is said to now be widely practiced worldwide.

It is stated that Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force known as qi or chi (chee) – believed to flow through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, acupuncture practitioners believe that your energy flow will re-balance.

Otherwise, many Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as places to stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. Some believe that this stimulation boosts your body’s natural painkillers and increases blood flow.

I have personally been receiving acupuncture treatment followed by a Chinese medicine massage for a lower back injury. I have had a slipped disc in my lower back for many years, the advice of the doctors was to have an operation. Now we all know after any medical procedure things never go back to the way they were so I decided to look into alternative treatments to aid my issue. When my spine is under a lot of pressure the disc presses against my spinal nerve and causes extreme pain and stops me from day to day activities or being able to work out. Once a month I visit Tong Ren Tang clinic in Dubai Health Care City, the clinic has specialized doctors who support and help you decide on the treatment best for you.

The Possible Benefits of Acupuncture Are:

• When performed correctly it is safe
• There are very few side effects
• It is a very effective combination treatment
• It is effective in controlling some types of pain
• It may be considered for patients who do not respond to pain medications
• It is a useful alternative for patients who do not want to take pain medications

The Possible Risks of Acupuncture Are:

• It is dangerous if the patient has a bleeding disorder
• It is dangerous if the patient is taking blood thinners
• There may be bleeding, bruising and soreness at the insertion sites
• The needle may break and damage an internal organ (very rare)
• When inserted deeply into the chest or upper back there is a risk of collapsed lung (very rare)

It is noted that acupuncture is now a staple in integrative medicine that nearly anyone can benefit from.

Integrative Medicine is defined as an evidence based medical practice that treats the whole person and not just the illness and is a growing trend. This holistic approach to healthcare is helping individuals across the world live full, healthy lives with treatments that complement Western medicine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted an extensive review and analysis of clinical trials related to acupuncture and reported the procedure has been proven effective for the following diseases: