DenpaNews Acupuncture is a holistic health technique originating from the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is performed by a needling specialist by stimulating specific points on the body by inserting thin needles into the skin. Surprisingly, although the treatment uses needles, this treatment is painless. In fact, one of the most popular benefits of acupuncture is to reduce chronic pain throughout the body in a natural way. So, what are the benefits of acupuncture? What are the risks involved in doing so?
Various benefits of acupuncture
1. Help reduce headaches and migraines
In 2009, research from the Center for Complementary Medicine at the University of Munich reviewed more than 11 studies involving 2,137 acupuncture patients. They concluded that acupuncture could be a valuable non-pharmacological tool in chronic tension headache patients. The results showed that needle placement in strategic areas could minimize headaches.
2. Relieves chronic pain, including back, neck, knee, and arthritis pain.
In 2006, a study conducted by the University Medical Center of Berlin stated that the benefits of acupuncture have been shown to be more effective in improving back pain compared to those who do not do treatment with acupuncture. Patients with chronic low back pain who received this treatment for 8 weeks, stated that they experienced a significant difference.
And in a 2012 study conducted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, it was found that acupuncture can relieve chronic back and neck muscle pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic headaches.
3. Help treat insomnia
A meta-analysis conducted by the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in 2009, showed that insomnia patients who took drugs or herbs and assisted by acupuncture had a better effect than those who took drugs or herbs alone.
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4. Improve cancer recovery and chemotherapy effect
According to the National Cancer Institute, several studies show the benefits of acupuncture in helping boost immunity and speed recovery after cancer treatment. A randomized trial found that acupuncture treatment increased immunity, platelet count, and prevented the decline in healthy cells after radiation therapy or chemotherapy, when compared to not receiving acupuncture at all.
Researchers reported that patients who received acupuncture treatment also experienced reduced pain from the treatment, improved quality of life, and decreased negative side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea.
5. Helps prevent decreased cognitive brain function loss
Some early research has shown new information regarding the benefits of acupuncture in Parkinson’s . Studies show that this medication can relieve symptoms of age-related decline in cognitive function, such as the putamen and thalamus, which are particularly affected by Parkinson’s disease.
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In a 2002 study conducted by the Department of Neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, it was stated that after 20 Parkinson’s patients were treated with acupuncture for 16 sessions, 85% of patients reported subjective improvement of individual symptoms, including tremor, walking, writing, sluggishness, pain, sleep, depression, and anxiety.
6. Health of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum
Many doctors recommend acupuncture as a treatment to reduce stress, balance hormones, and relieve anxiety and pain from pregnancy and childbirth. It is considered a safe treatment for many common symptoms during pregnancy, including easing the physical and emotional strain on the body, as well as helping to build mood, and reducing depression, mental or physical symptoms of the mother after childbirth. Even this traditional medicine can be used before the baby is born to facilitate the delivery process.
Various risks of acupuncture
The risks of acupuncture are actually relatively low if you do it with a certified acupuncture expert. Here are some of the possible side effects and complications:
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- pain . After acupuncture, you may experience pain, minor bleeding, or bruising in the area where the needle was punctured.
- Organ injury . If the needles are pushed too deep, they can puncture internal organs, particularly the lungs. This is a very rare complication in the hands of experienced doctors.
- infection . Needle specialists always use sterile, disposable needles. A reused needle can expose you to diseases such as hepatitis.
