Why you need acupuncture, NOW
Acupuncture is a medicine that is rapidly increasing in popularity. This millennium has seen an increase of acupuncture in the west of 300% [1]. And, of course, as an acupuncturist, this is incredibly exciting. Despite this, so many people I talk to, don’t see acupuncture as something for them. Lots of people think its for hippies (clever hippies I say!) or for people that western medicine can’t help. I want to tell you why you need acupuncture NOW.
Here are the 5 reasons everyone could use an acupuncture treatment, even if you think there is nothing wrong with you!
Prevention is better than cure.
Using acupuncture to maintain health is an ideal way to look after your body. If you visit your practitioner with a specific problem they will likely ask you to come into the clinic once a week. If you go for general wellbeing you can go once every 4 to 6 weeks. If you see a good practitioner, they should also give you lifestyle and diet advice to help with any underlying imbalances they see within your body, That along with the regular treatments can work to stop those imbalances turning into illness.
You don’t have to live in pain.
Those monthly period pains, those weekly headaches, that crick in your neck every morning, that doesn’t have to just be the way life goes. We should all aim to live our lives pain free. We also become complacent, we easily forget what it was like before the daily bloating and just accept, “thats life”. Wrong. Acupuncture can be a great way to tackle these problems that you’ve decided are just a part of normal life. And I bet you notice them loads more when they are gone and you are pain free! Then you'll be wondering why it took you so long to get acupuncture.
Its not just about pain.
Acupuncture is best known in the west for its use in pain relief. However, acupuncture is part of an entire healthcare system that covers all areas of health. As we learn more about the science behind this medicine, the west is accepting its use outside of pain management. For example, the effects of acupuncture on the immune system. It is now known to increase blood cell count, and enhance lymphocyte and natural killer cell activity [2]. Not to mention the effects on the central nervous system and the endocrine system (hormones).
We all need a chance to switch off.
We are all modern people. Our lives are fast, filled with phones, endless scrolling, emails and demands. An acupuncture treatment is an hour dedicated to self care in amongst the crazy world outside your treatment room. A chance to forget about the work, the washing and the dinner. A chance to slow down, connecting your body and your mind. Not forgetting acupuncture is also shown to increase the number of central nervous hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and noradrenalin [3] and therefore is biochemically relaxing the body.
Its fun!
Now, I can’t guarantee every patient would agree with me on this. And those of you that haven’t had acupuncture will probably now think I’m mad. Being stuck with needles for fun? But yes, I really do think its fun. I love my own practitioner, so spending an hour with her is amazing anyway. I love the experience she creates in her clinic. I enjoy being active in my health. It’s fun lying there, feeling super chilled out. You’ll be surprised how much you look forward to your sessions!
So, come on, book your appointment now!
References:
[1] Acupuncture Growing in Popularity. (2009). Retrieved from http://sleepeducation.org/news/2009/08/02/acupuncture-growing-in-popularity
[2] Hao, J. J., & Mittelman, M. (2014). Acupuncture: past, present, and future. Global advances in health and medicine, 3(4), 6–8. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.042
[3] Samuels, Noah & Gropp, Cornelius & Singer, Shepherd & Oberbaum, Menachem. (2008). Acupuncture for Psychiatric Illness: A Literature Review. Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.). 34. 55-64. 10.3200/BMED.34.2.55-64.
