What Acupuncture Is For And How It Can Help

Pain is debilitating and life-altering. If you suffer from pain from any source, you know how it can wreak havoc on your life. Daily tasks become insurmountable and it is difficult to focus on anything other than your pain. If this sounds familiar, you may be interested in learning about acupuncture, which is a therapy that has shown great promise in relieving pain. Read on to learn more.

Do you suffer from chronic pain, but are leery about taking prescription medication to help it? If so, then acupuncture might be for you! Acupuncture targets pressure points in the body to relieve pain and stress. This medical practice is used all over the world and is a great alternative to prescription medications.

When determining which acupuncturist to use, make sure you find out whether the person is NCCAOM certified. This certification indicates that the doctor took an exam and finished a comprehensive program. While it is not a guarantee that the acupuncturist will be the right fit for you, it is a good start.

Ask any potential acupuncturist how many years they have been in business. As with most other professions, experience counts for a lot. You also want to find out where they received their education. There is often a big difference in quality if the person trained in the United States versus somewhere else.

Write down any important information about your health and family history prior to your appointment. A trip to the acupuncturist should be treated the same as a trip to your primary doctor in terms of the information they need. This will give the acupuncturist the information they need to help determine a strategy for your session and will provide you the most benefits.

You should free yourself from the distractions of your cellphone and iPod to get the most out of your acupuncture appointment. If you bring your phone in, for instance, you will have a hard time ignoring it. The muscle tension produced by answering or ignoring these devices can make your appointment uncomfortable. Make your next acupuncture session an electronics-free zone.

Do some research about the different kinds of acupuncture before you begin looking for an acupuncture practitioner. American acupuncturists can practice based on traditions from Korea, China or Japan. Always ask about your practitioner’s training and exactly what kind of procedures they use. It is also helpful to find out if one branch of acupuncture is more effective than another for your particular condition.

Recent studies show that acupuncture can help those on medication for depression and anxiety. For starters, patients are able to reduce their dosage of medication when they also have acupuncture because the procedure reduces feelings of nervousness and sadness. Acupuncture also reduces the side effects of depression medications, like weight gain and nausea.

If you are receiving an acupuncture treatment and notice that pain persists for more than two minutes after a needle is inserted, speak up. Sometimes a needle can hit a spot in the body called a nerve meridian. When this happens, the result is discomfort and pain. The practitioner might need to remove the needle and try again in a different spot.

Consider looking at specialized acupuncture treatments. Acupuncture, like traditional medicine, is a vast field, so you are bound to find treatments and acupuncturists that specialize in specific areas. For instance, there is acupuncture that specializes in just migraines and headaches or just chronic pain and stress.You might want to find someone that knows specialized treatments for your particulate ailments.

Before going to your acupuncture session, have a light snack. Do not overeat or go in with an empty stomach. This will help prevent dizziness or feeling nauseous. You want to be relaxed and comfortable. If you are hungry or bloated, you will not be relaxed and could hinder your treatment.

Even if you are a skeptic when it comes to acupuncture, do your best to keep an open mind. Scientific studies are ongoing regarding the effectiveness of such treatments, and there is new information being discovered all the time. Keep up to date on current research, discuss your findings with your doctor and consider acupuncture treatments for your health conditions. This just might help you to find the relief you have been looking for.

Take your time when getting up from the table after an acupuncture treatment. You should get up very carefully and move slowly as you leave. Take a few minutes to relax and sit before going home if you need to. Eat a healthy snack if you want to get rid of your dizziness.

Be honest with your acupuncturist. If you are experiencing pain in a certain area, they need to know about it. If you are finding the sessions frustrating because you are not seeing results, they need to know that too. If you are not honest, you will never receive the full benefits of your treatments or find the relief you are hoping for.

Consult with friends who are familiar with acupuncture treatment. Find out about their experiences and the way it made them feel. Ask them what it did for them. Knowing more about what to expect can help you be more relaxed during your treatment. Ask as many questions as you can to help keep your thoughts open about having a treatment.

It is best to wear some loose clothes to your acupuncture appointment. Loose clothing will help your acupuncturist reach all the places where he or she needs to put some pins. Besides, tight clothing could keep your blood from properly circulating and make you very uncomfortable during your acupuncture treatment.

As you can now see, there may be a way for you to overcome the debilitating and life-altering effects of pain. Acupuncture has been studied for years and has shown great promise for the relief of pain. Keep what you’ve read here in mind and seek out a trusted practitioner. Soon you’ll be able to shift your focus away from your pain and back to leading a fulfilling life!