Acupuncture, a part of the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine, is all the rage. Why not? It can help treat various health conditions and make one lead an improved life. Well, those slim needles may appear dreadful at first, but the positive effects they offer significantly reduce ailments. The treatment can help you feel better for days and even weeks, depending on the type and severity of your health issues. The results depend on the patient’s age, lifestyle, habits, and physical condition. The crux is that acupuncture is an effective medical treatment. It can alleviate the symptoms and bring positive changes in your physical and mental health.
What can acupuncture help with?
This therapy can help you with the following health ailments:
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine headache
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
And more.
As you can see, acupuncture is used for treating several health conditions, be it physical or psychological (mental), so people count on this therapy to improve their life.
But,
- How do you know if the acupuncture treatment is working?
- How often should you get acupuncture?
- How long do the effects of acupuncture therapy last?
We understand you have concerns related to acupuncture. That is why we have created this post to answer each of your queries.
Signs Acupuncture Treatment is Working for You
This therapy shows some effects within the first six sessions. In between these sessions, you will witness the following:
Improvement in bodily functions: You will be more aware of your body and witness enhanced digestive and respiratory functions.
Reduced stress: This can be the first positive effect you will experience after undergoing 1-2 sessions. Your mood will improve as your brain will be releasing dopamine after the treatment.
More energy: You will feel energized as this therapy will improve your adrenal system, and your body will be able to perform all the functions at its best.
Sleep better: Once you start this treatment, you will be able to fall asleep easily. This is one of the best positive effects of acupuncture. That is why patients with insomnia count on this therapy.
Less pain: Your pain will vary, and you will witness it clearly. It is obvious that you chose this therapy for your chronic pain issue, and once you are regular with the session, you will notice a change in the severity of your pain.
So, your body will tell you if this treatment is working for you or not. Regarding the sessions, most patients have an appointment once a week. Some come in twice a week. The number of sessions depends on the severity of the health issue.
What Can You Do to Maximize the Results of Acupuncture Treatment?
Here is the rundown of the surefire ways you can consider making the most of this therapy:
- Avoid large, greasy meals, caffeine, and alcohol for at least 12 hours before and 2 hours after the session.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing before and after the treatment.
- Try to stay warm and avoid swimming in cold water.
- After the treatment, spend the next 12 hours relaxing. You can do moderate exercise but do not go overboard.
- Follow the advice given by your acupuncturist.
Studies that Support Long-Term Effects of Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture is an effective treatment, and there are many studies that claim its positive effects. Let’s discuss them.
Migraine: According to a randomized control trial, it was noted that the effects of this treatment for migraine could be maintained for 20 weeks after 20 sessions over four weeks. This is one of the powerful evidence of the sustained effect produced by this treatment.
Chronic low back pain: Acupuncture is also an effective treatment for patients with chronic low back pain. It was proved from another randomized controlled trial, where patients underwent acupuncture twice weekly. After three months, they experienced positive effects as the pain with sitting or standing was significantly diminished.
Parkinson’s disease: A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of longer acupuncture treatment for preventing brain disorders in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study reported significant improvements in the symptoms of patients. The 8-week acupuncture treatment was effective for the patients with PD as they witnessed good brain responses.
Shoulder pain: From a clinical trial, it was noted that patients who were given treatment for over eight weeks showed a more remarkable improvement in pain intensity. So, it is evident that this therapy is an effective long-term treatment for patients with shoulder pain.
Chronic neck myofascial pain syndrome: In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, it was stated that patients who received acupuncture treatment twice per week for three consecutive weeks experienced an improvement in physical functioning. That said, this therapy may be used to enhance the quality of life of patients with chronic neck MPS.
Apart from these, there are studies that conclude that acupuncture is effective in treating headaches. It has also shown curative effects on shoulder-hand syndrome in hemiplegia patients who had undergone this therapy for six weeks.
There are many more studies that showcase the long-term positive effects of acupuncture treatment on different health conditions. The essential thing is to be regular with the sessions. Your patience matters a lot, no matter what treatment you are undergoing. Also, it is vital to note that everybody is different, and the effects vary from person to person. The amount of time the effects of this therapy last depends on several factors such as symptoms, age, and the treatment. It can last for days or even for a couple of weeks.
Contact a Licensed Acupuncturist to Ease Your Health Issues
If you are about to consider acupuncture for your health condition, then the first thing you have to make sure of is to connect with an expert acupuncturist who has years of experience in this field. Getting treatment from a professional practitioner is the best way of improving your health. Also, you will be able to see the positive effects soon, and that too for the long term. At Balance Within You, we have a top board-certified acupuncturist who can help in treating your health ailment. Whether you have a digestive problem, emotional issues, or gynecological, neurological, respiratory, or musculoskeletal problems, you can count on our licensed acupuncturist to ease your condition. You can schedule a consultation and talk about your issue with our team right away.
